how to clean a sticky mechanical keyboard

A sticky mechanical keyboard is one of the most annoying things to deal with. It usually means one of two things: either you’ve had a spill (and we’ve already covered that in detail), or there’s a serious build-up of gunk, often a combination of dust, skin oils, and microscopic food particles that have conspired to make your once satisfyingly clicky or tactile key feel mushy, unresponsive, or just plain gross. Unlike general dust, stickiness requires a more targeted and often more invasive approach because the problem is usually inside the switch or heavily coating the keycap stem. Don’t worry, it’s usually fixable, but it demands patience and precision.

Read more about how to clean a mechanical keyboard:
how to clean a mechanical keyboard switch
how to clean a mechanical keyboard after spill
how to clean a mechanical keyboard without removing the keys
how to clean a mechanical keyboard properly
how to clean a gaming keyboard
how to clean a non mechanical keyboard

Identifying the Cause of Stickiness

Before you grab your tools, let’s try to pinpoint the source of the stickiness.

Is it just one key, or several? Is it only the keycap itself feeling sticky, or does the switch underneath feel gummed up?
If it’s just the top surface of a keycap, it’s likely just accumulated grime, hand oils, or a minor splatter. If the actuation of the key feels sticky, meaning it’s slow to return or feels gritty when you press it down, then the problem is almost certainly inside the switch mechanism or heavily coating the keycap stem and switch housing.

For single, isolated sticky keys, it’s often a localized spill (even a tiny drop of soda can do it!) or a stubborn piece of food debris.

If many keys feel uniformly sticky, especially after a spill, then you’re looking at a more widespread issue that might require a full keycap bath and potentially switch cleaning.

Initial Targeted Cleaning (Without Keycap Removal, Minor Stickiness)

For very minor stickiness, especially if you’re hesitant to remove keycaps, you can try a targeted approach. First, unplug your keyboard. Take a can of compressed air. For the sticky key, press it down and hold it there. While it’s depressed, aim the nozzle of the compressed air can very carefully into the tiny gaps around the keycap stem and switch housing. Give it a few short, controlled bursts from different angles. This might dislodge any small crumbs or particles that are causing friction. Release the key and press it repeatedly to see if the stickiness improves. If it’s still sticky, take a cotton swab and lightly dampen it with isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher is best, as it evaporates quickly). Again, press the key down and use the damp swab to carefully wipe around the visible stem of the switch and the inside edges of the keycap, trying to get into the crevices. Work the key up and down as you do this. The alcohol helps dissolve oils and sticky residues. Let it air dry completely for a few minutes before testing. This method is best for very light stickiness.

how to clean a non mechanical keyboard

Keycap Removal and Cleaning (Moderate Stickiness)

If the initial targeted cleaning doesn’t fix it, or if the stickiness is more widespread, then removing the keycaps is the next logical step. Unplug your keyboard, take pictures of the layout, and use your keycap puller to carefully remove all the sticky keycaps (or all of them for a full clean). Pay extra attention to the underside of the keycaps, especially the stem where it connects to the switch. You’ll often find a build-up of greasy gunk here. Put all the removed keycaps into a bowl of warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap. Let them soak for 30 minutes to an hour. For the sticky keycaps, you might want to give them an extra scrub with a soft brush (like an old toothbrush), especially around the inside of the stem and any textured surfaces. After soaking and scrubbing, rinse them thoroughly under cool running water until all soap residue is gone. Then, spread them out on a clean microfiber towel and let them air dry completely for several hours or overnight. Ensure they are bone dry before reattaching. While the keycaps are drying, turn your attention to the exposed switches and plate on the keyboard.

Cleaning the Sticky Switches (Deep Dive)

With the keycaps off, you can now directly access the sticky switches.

First, use compressed air to blast away any loose crumbs or dust that were exposed.

how to clean a gaming keyboard

For mechanical switches, the problem usually lies with residue inside the switch housing or on the stem.

If you have a hotswap keyboard (meaning the switches can be pulled out without soldering), this is your best option.

Use a switch puller to carefully remove the sticky switch.

Then, use a switch opener to open the switch and separate its components (top housing, stem, spring, bottom housing). Dip a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and meticulously clean every part: the inside of the top housing, the entire stem (especially its legs and pole), the spring (just a wipe, don’t bend it), and the bottom housing, paying close attention to the metal leaf contacts. how to clean a mechanical keyboard properly

Make sure all parts are completely dry before reassembling the switch and placing it back into the board.

If your keyboard is not hotswap (meaning switches are soldered), you cannot easily remove and open the switch. In this case, you’ll need to clean it in place. This is where patience is key. Get your isopropyl alcohol and a dropper or a very small, precise nozzle. Press the sticky switch down repeatedly. While it’s depressed, carefully apply a very small drop of isopropyl alcohol (just enough to wet the stem) into the gaps around the stem. Now, rapidly press the switch up and down for 30-60 seconds. This action helps work the alcohol through the switch mechanism, dissolving the sticky residue. You might see some discolored liquid come up. Use a clean cotton swab to blot up any excess. Repeat this process a few times until the stickiness is gone. It might take several applications and cycles of pressing. The alcohol will evaporate quickly, but give it 15-30 minutes to ensure full dryness before replacing the keycap.

Reassembly and Prevention

Once your keycaps are bone dry and your switches are clean and no longer sticky, it’s time to put everything back together.

Use your reference photos to reattach all the keycaps securely.

Plug your keyboard back in and thoroughly test all the keys, especially the ones that were sticky. how to clean a mechanical keyboard without removing the keys

Type on them repeatedly, check for proper actuation and consistent feel.

If the problem persists, it might mean the sticky residue was particularly stubborn and a second cleaning pass is needed, or in rare cases, the switch might be damaged beyond simple cleaning and require replacement.

To prevent future stickiness, try to avoid eating or drinking directly over your keyboard.

If you must, consider a keyboard cover. Cleaning your hands before typing, especially after eating, also goes a long way.

how to clean a mechanical keyboard after spill

Regular basic cleaning with compressed air and wiping down keycaps can also prevent grime buildup from reaching “sticky” levels. A clean keyboard is a happy keyboard!