Single switch not working
I've been using mu corne for maybe a month with no problems. Unfortunately, it seems that just my "lower" key is broken (middle bottom row), though I can't tell if there are others because it was set to a Bluetooth device that I no longer have access to.
I have the no solder headers for the nice nano, and everything seems to be making contact. I have switched out the switch with 2 others, but the rest I'm not sure what I'm looking for. The guide says to check the hotswap socket and the diode, but I'm not sure what these parts are.
13 Replies
If a single key is not working on your Corne keyboard, it’s likely a hardware issue. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you troubleshoot:
1. Check the Switch: Since you've already swapped the switch with two others, ensure that the pins on the switches are straight and not bent. If they are bent, gently straighten them with tweezers.
2. Check the Hotswap Socket: The hotswap socket is the component on the PCB where the switch plugs in. If you're using no-solder headers, ensure that the pressure contacts on the back of the socket are making good contact with the switch. You can try bending the gold contacts slightly to ensure they touch the switch pins properly.
3. Check the Diode: Each switch has a diode associated with it, which is a small rectangular component soldered onto the PCB. The diode should be oriented in the same direction as the others. Check that it is soldered down properly and not cracked. If it looks loose, you can reheat the solder or add a bit more solder to secure it.
4. Inspect for Shorts: If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, check for any solder bridges or shorts between the pins of the hotswap socket and nearby traces. Use a multimeter in continuity mode to check if any pins are incorrectly connected.
If you've gone through these steps and the key is still not working, it may be best to consult the troubleshooting section of our documentation for further assistance.
So you had the same behavior when you swapped in new switches?
If you look at the back of your PCB the sockets are the black long things that bridge across each of the key locations. The diodes are the tiny little rectangular components near each key location.
Yeah seems likely the hotswap socket isn't making good contact
So I can pull the socket out and put it back in?
Yes, I think you're onto it. I'm going to try to do like this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3wuA8uEVhM
After looking around, I don't think that's it. The sockets and the diodes seem to be in tact.
basically you bend the hotswap leaves back
so they make better contact with the switch
You bend them outward?
I figured they'd go inward to meet the legs of the switch.
inward
Honestly, for the left one, I can't even see any of the contacts.
you can't see the contacts from the front, look at the back