Blue switches are known for their audible click, but there are ways to make them quieter. Depending on your preferences, you can use different techniques to mute the click or even get rid of it entirely. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to make blue switches quieter so that you can enjoy your typing experience with minimal noise. Let’s get started!
What Causes the Clicking Sound in Blue Switches?
The clicking sound in blue switches is caused by the metal contacts inside the switch bouncing off of each other when the switch is activated. This sound is amplified by the spring inside the switch, which is why blue switches are generally louder than other types of switches. It’s also why the sound is more pronounced when you first start using a blue switch keyboard – over time, the springs tend to soften, and the clicking sound becomes less noticeable.
Some Effective Ways How to Make Blue Switches Quiet
1. Use O-rings
The simplest way to make blue switches quieter is to use O-rings. O-rings are small rubber rings that you can place on the stem of the switch. They act as a buffer between the metal contacts and help dampen the switch’s sound.
To use O-rings, remove the keycaps from your keyboard and place an O-ring on the stem of each switch. It’s important to ensure that the O-ring is properly positioned – if it’s too high, it will make the key feel mushy; if it’s too low, it won’t affect the sound.
2. Lubricate the Switches
Another way to reduce the clicking sound in blue switches is to lubricate the switches. This more advanced technique should only be attempted if you’re comfortable working with small parts. To lubricate the switches, you’ll need to remove the switch’s keycaps, springs, and stems. Once the parts are removed, apply a small amount of lubricant to the metal contacts.
Be sure to use a lubricant that is designed for electronics – using the wrong type of lubricant can damage the switches. Also, try to avoid getting any lubricant on the plastic parts of the switch, as this can cause them to become brittle over time.
3. Use a Sound Dampener
You can use a sound dampener if you don’t want to lubricate the switches. Sound dampeners are small discs that you place on the inside of the switch. They help to absorb the sound and make the keyboard quieter. You’ll need to remove the keycaps and springs from the switch to use a sound dampener.
Once the parts are removed, place the sound dampener on the inside of the switch. Be sure to position the sound dampener so that it doesn’t interfere with the movement of the parts.
4. Use Foam Pads
Foam pads are another way to reduce the noise of blue switches. Foam pads are thin sheets of foam that you can place on the underside of the keycaps. They help dampen the switch’s sound and make the keyboard quieter. To use foam pads, first, remove the keycaps from the keyboard.
Once the keycaps are removed, place a foam pad on the underside of each keycap. Be sure to position the foam pads so that they don’t interfere with the movement of the keycap.
5. Use a Keyboard Cover
A keyboard cover is a great way to reduce the noise of blue switches. A keyboard cover is a thin sheet of material that you place over the top of the keyboard. It helps dampen the switch’s sound and makes the keyboard quieter. Keyboard covers are available in various materials, including silicone, neoprene, and felt. Place a keyboard cover over the top of the keyboard and press down on the edges to secure it in place.
6. Use Silicone Grease
You can use silicone grease if you want to lubricate the switches but don’t have any lubricant. Silicone grease is a type of lubricant that is commonly used in electronics. It’s available in various viscosities, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
To use silicone grease, apply a small amount to the metal contacts on the switch. Be sure to avoid getting any silicone grease on the plastic parts of the switch, as this can cause them to become brittle over time.
7. Use a Sound Dampening Mat
You can use a sound dampening mat if you don’t want to use a keyboard cover. A sound dampening mat is a thin sheet of material that you place under the keyboard. It helps to absorb the sound and makes the keyboard quieter. Sound dampening mats are available for purchase online. If you can’t find a sound dampening mat, you can use a piece of foam or a mousepad.
8. Change Your Typing Style
You can change your typing style if you want to make your blue switches quieter. When you press down on the keys, try to do it lightly. This will help to reduce the noise of the switches. You can also try to type more slowly. This will help to prevent the keys from bouncing and making noise.
9. Adjust the Sensitivity of Your Switches
If you want to make your blue switches quieter, you can adjust the sensitivity of the switches. The sensitivity of the switches is adjustable on most keyboards. To adjust the sensitivity, you’ll need to use the software that came with your keyboard. Once you’ve adjusted the sensitivity, you can test it out by typing on the keyboard. If the switches are still too loud, you can try adjusting the sensitivity again.
10. Modify the Switch Housing
Modify the switch housing if you’re comfortable soldering. This will help to reduce the noise of the switches. To modify the switch housing, you’ll need to remove the housing from the switch. Once the housing is removed, you can Solder a small piece of material to the inside of the switch.
This will help to dampen the sound of the switch. Be sure to use a material that won’t interfere with the movement of the parts. If you’re not comfortable soldering, you can try using duct tape or hot glue.
11. Replace the Springs
Replacing the springs is another way to make your blue switches quieter. To replace the springs, you’ll need to remove the switch from the keyboard. Once the switch is removed, you can replace the springs with ones that are made of a softer material.
This will help to dampen the sound of the switch. Be sure to use springs that are the same size and shape as the ones you’re replacing. If you’re not sure how to replace the springs, you can check the instructions that came with your keyboard.
12. Invest in a Better Keyboard
If you’re not happy with the noise of your blue switches, you can invest in a better keyboard. A variety of keyboards on the market are designed to be quiet. These keyboards typically use different switch types, such as a membrane or scissor switches. If you’re not sure which type of keyboard to get, you can check out reviews online.
Are Blue Switches Too Noisy?
Blue switches are known for their “clicky” sound when typing, which can be either delightful or distracting, depending on the person. While some typists find the sound satisfying and feedback for their typing speed, others may find it too loud and disruptive in a quiet office environment.
It is important to note that the noise level of blue switches may vary depending on the keyboard’s build quality and the amount of sound dampening added to the keyboard.
Additionally, the noise level may also depend on the user’s typing style; those who type softly may not produce as much noise as those who type more aggressively.
If you are considering purchasing a keyboard with blue switches and you are unsure if it will be too noisy for your liking, it is recommended to test it out in person if possible.
How Much Does It Cost to Make Blue Switches Quiet?
The cost of making blue switches quiet will vary depending on your method. If you’re using a keyboard cover, you can expect to spend around $10. If you’re using sound dampening mats, you can expect to spend around $20. If you’re changing your typing style, you won’t have any additional costs. However, if you need to purchase a new keyboard, you can expect to spend anywhere from $50 to $200.
Tips and Warnings on How to Make Blue Switches Quiet
Tips:
1. Be sure to lube your stabilizers. This will help reduce the noise that is caused by their movement.
2. O-rings can be placed on the bottom of the keys to help muffle the sound when they bottom out.
3. Use a dampening material such as Sorbothane to line the inside of your keyboard case. This will help to reduce the overall noise.
4. Make sure your keyboard case does not touch any other surfaces. This will create a resonating effect that will amplify the sound of your typing.
5. Consider using a quieter switch such as brown or red.
Warnings:
1. Be careful when lubing your stabilizers. Too much lube can cause your keys to feel sticky and attract dust and dirt.
2. O-rings can make your keys feel softer, which some people may not like.
3. Sorbothane can be expensive and may not be available in all colors.
4. Some keyboard cases are designed to resonate with the sound of your typing, so check before you buy one.
5. Quieter switches may not be as responsive as blue switches.
Conclusion
This article has given you various tips on how to make blue switches quiet. While some methods may be more effective than others, it’s ultimately up to you to decide what works best for you. Be sure to experiment with different techniques until you find the perfect noise reduction and typing performance balance.
We hope you found this article helpful and that you’ll be able to enjoy your quiet keyboard in no time. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thanks for reading!
