Redragon Kumara K552 Key Switch Replacement

Written By: Matt Chan
  • Comments: 0
Redragon Kumara K552 Key Switch Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

9

Time Required

10 - 30 minutes

Introduction

The Redragon Kumara K552 keyboard is a tenkeyless keyboard with Outemu hot-swappable sockets. This allows for easy replacement of the keycaps and switches. However, the process for repairing and/or replacing a broken switch can be a bit convoluted. Additionally, the K552 only allows certain switches to be installed. This guide details the steps to be taken for repairing a broken switch on this keyboard, and what to look for if you are replacing a switch.

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    • Hook a wire or plastic keycap puller underneath the keycap.

    • Pull the keycap puller straight upwards to remove the keycap.

    • It may help to remove the surrounding keycaps before proceeding to the next step.

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    • Hook the switch puller onto the top and bottom tabs of the switch.

    • Hold the board down with one hand.

    • Use your other hand to squeeze the tabs firmly with the switch puller and pull straight upwards until the switch pops off.

    • If the switch does not pop off, check to make sure the switch tabs are not broken before trying again.

    • Alternatively, you can wedge a spudger underneath the bottom tab of the switch.

    • Use the spudger to squeeze the bottom tab before levering the bottom of the switch upwards.

    • After it partially dislodges, position the spudger under the top tab of the switch.

    • Squeeze and pop the top of the switch off the keyboard.

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    • Inspect the metal pins at the bottom of the switch to see if they have been bent out of shape.

    • A working switch should have straight pins that fit into the circuit board. If the metal pins are bent, straighten them by hand or with pliers/tweezers.

    • This step alone may fix the switch; proceed to Steps 7 and 8 to place and test your switch.

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    • Using a Kailh-style switch opener (which has two wide prongs instead of four), position the switch on top so that the two plastic tabs on the side of the switch are positioned on top of the two prongs underneath.

    • Press very firmly downwards until both tabs unlock.

    • If one tab unlocks and the other tab does not, reset both sides and try again.

    • Alternatively, wedge a spudger underneath the first tab and unlock it slightly.

    • Wedge a spudger underneath the second tab to unlock the top housing.

    • You may have to reset the switch and try again several times.

    • During disassembly, the top portion of the switch may fly off due to the spring underneath.

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    • The four parts of a switch are the stem, top housing, spring, and bottom housing. Make sure you have all four parts before proceeding.

    • Check the metal leaf inside the bottom housing to make sure there is no rust or bends.

    • You may find some lubricant clinging onto the leaf, which can be wiped off using a cotton swab.

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    • To reassemble the switch, place the spring within the bottom housing on top of the circular post inside.

    • Place the stem inside the top housing so the stem legs face away from the rectangular opening in the top housing.

    • Assemble the switch so the rectangular opening in the top and bottom housing match up.

    • Be careful not to lose any of the four parts of the switch, especially the spring.

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    • Reinsert the switch into the keyboard by placing the switch where the rectangular opening is facing upwards and the Redragon logo is facing downwards in relation to the surrounding switches.

    • Firmly push downwards on the housing (not the stem) until it clicks into place.

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    • Test your keyboard afterwards using a keyboard testing website such as Keyboard Tester to make sure your switch works.

    • If your switch does not work, either your fix did not work and you will need to completely replace the switch or you bent the pins when reinserting the switch into the board. Refer to Steps 2 and 3 for switch removal and bent pins respectively.

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    • If you are replacing the switches that the keyboard comes with for aftermarket switches, be aware that not all aftermarket switches will fit into this keyboard. Since this keyboard uses Outemu hot-swap sockets, it will only accept switches with smaller pins.

    • In the photos, the switches on the left are compatible with this keyboard, while the switches on the right are not compatible with the keyboard due to their slightly thicker pins.

Conclusion

You can now use your keyboard as usual.

Author

Matt Chan

Member since: 17/01/22

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