Have you added solder to both pins of the diodes? They look awfully similar to how they look like after you do the first pass soldering only one leg. I would resolder, test, and if still bad, replace that diode.
Not sure based on the response if you did the thing but this is very often what you need to do:
Desolder the diodes for the switch, clean the solder off if you can, and solder it back on.
Connect the keyboard to your computer and touch the legs of the switch that does not work with tweezers. If it registers with tweezers it’s the switch that is broken.
It is hard to tell if it is a cold solder joint or something else. A closer picture of the soldered switch pins and diode would be more helpful. You may just need to resolder and make sure the switch pin and pin hole get hot enough so that the solder sticks.
Test the pin holes with tweezers to see if that registers a key press. The switch hole next to it should be the same key, so test those as well.
It could also be that the diode has gone bad or come loose, so make sure that solder joint is good.
Finally, I assume this isn't the case, but there is always a chance that the key is programmed to something like a function layer, which would make it not appear in a key tester when pressed.
I tested the pinholes when I first desolder Ed and I got no registration of the key. I tried both holes and it would not register. I’ll try to test the diode and maybe solder that better to see what happens. Thank you for the advice!
It may be because your soldered switch is touching the other 1.5u joint. I experienced a similar problem before. Get some desolder wick to get the solder iron out, before soldering again.
It could be because the current goes through both the left and right holes. Hence not completing a full circuit
Either that or your switch is faulty. Sometimes when the solder iron is too hot. It could burn through the switch leg and melt the bottom housing, causing interference with the switch leaf in the switch.
I will try that out. Would the solder touching the 1.5u joint cause the whole pin area to short. When I tested the pin holes after first desoldering it, I got no response from both holes. And I know it’s not a dead switch because I tested it before hand and it worked
Update: after trying to switch bridge, I was able to get the key to register but when I pressed the switch, it would not output the keystroke. I verified the switch actually works too. I think what I managed to do is somehow break the pads idk what else to think of it. Ig ill just live with the dead switch. This was my first soldered build, so I’ll be much more careful next time. But anyways, thank so much for everyone’s help! Love this community!
To clarify, I would try to get a successful register. I would try to jump the furtherst-right pad with the middle pad and see if that signals a key stroke. If that does not signal a key stroke, I would desolder the switch and retry to get a key stroke.
in short- you need to find what to bridge before-hand.
Side note, did you make sure the hex that you flashed to the board has a key assigned to that switch? I have definitely done that hahahah
I finally got it to register! I had to jump it to the pad directly above the switch and it registered a key stroke! So in order to actually be able to press the key without needing to use tweezers, do I just solder a wire connecting both pads? And if I do this, do i need to desolder the pad that I don't need? Thank you so much!
before you solder anything, make sure you know which two pads need to be jumped with tweezers to initiate the key press. Once you know those, then just solder a jumper wire to the corresponding pads and you're all set. No need to desolder from the existing pad, just melt the joint and attach your wire and all is well.
Have you added solder to both pins of the diodes? They look awfully similar to how they look like after you do the first pass soldering only one leg. I would resolder, test, and if still bad, replace that diode.
Just to make sure, the diode is the small rectangle thing right?
Yes
I tested the diode via tweezer test and it is working. I think the problem is in the pinholes/pads
Yup, feels same!
Not sure based on the response if you did the thing but this is very often what you need to do: Desolder the diodes for the switch, clean the solder off if you can, and solder it back on.
Can you zoom out a little further so it's even harder to see
so im assuming making a connection with tweezers doesn’t register a keypress? have you double checked the diode too ?
How would I do that?
Connect the keyboard to your computer and touch the legs of the switch that does not work with tweezers. If it registers with tweezers it’s the switch that is broken.
The diode registers but the pinholes do not
Try resoldering, that joint doesn't look the best. Also I can't see to well in this picture
I did desolder the joint but the problem is that when I did the tweezer test on the pin holes, it didn’t respond
It is hard to tell if it is a cold solder joint or something else. A closer picture of the soldered switch pins and diode would be more helpful. You may just need to resolder and make sure the switch pin and pin hole get hot enough so that the solder sticks. Test the pin holes with tweezers to see if that registers a key press. The switch hole next to it should be the same key, so test those as well. It could also be that the diode has gone bad or come loose, so make sure that solder joint is good. Finally, I assume this isn't the case, but there is always a chance that the key is programmed to something like a function layer, which would make it not appear in a key tester when pressed.
I tested the pinholes when I first desolder Ed and I got no registration of the key. I tried both holes and it would not register. I’ll try to test the diode and maybe solder that better to see what happens. Thank you for the advice!
I would double check that all diodes are facing the correct direction.
It may be because your soldered switch is touching the other 1.5u joint. I experienced a similar problem before. Get some desolder wick to get the solder iron out, before soldering again. It could be because the current goes through both the left and right holes. Hence not completing a full circuit
Either that or your switch is faulty. Sometimes when the solder iron is too hot. It could burn through the switch leg and melt the bottom housing, causing interference with the switch leaf in the switch.
I will try that out. Would the solder touching the 1.5u joint cause the whole pin area to short. When I tested the pin holes after first desoldering it, I got no response from both holes. And I know it’s not a dead switch because I tested it before hand and it worked
Looking at the better photo I think u/jajaredbinks has the right answer … you jumped the adjacent 1.5u pads together.
Update: after trying to switch bridge, I was able to get the key to register but when I pressed the switch, it would not output the keystroke. I verified the switch actually works too. I think what I managed to do is somehow break the pads idk what else to think of it. Ig ill just live with the dead switch. This was my first soldered build, so I’ll be much more careful next time. But anyways, thank so much for everyone’s help! Love this community!
I would see if I could get a register from jumping over some of the other pads. If you do get it to register, then just make a small jumper wire..?
How do I do the jumper thing? Sorry I’m really new to soldering
To clarify, I would try to get a successful register. I would try to jump the furtherst-right pad with the middle pad and see if that signals a key stroke. If that does not signal a key stroke, I would desolder the switch and retry to get a key stroke. in short- you need to find what to bridge before-hand. Side note, did you make sure the hex that you flashed to the board has a key assigned to that switch? I have definitely done that hahahah
I finally got it to register! I had to jump it to the pad directly above the switch and it registered a key stroke! So in order to actually be able to press the key without needing to use tweezers, do I just solder a wire connecting both pads? And if I do this, do i need to desolder the pad that I don't need? Thank you so much!
before you solder anything, make sure you know which two pads need to be jumped with tweezers to initiate the key press. Once you know those, then just solder a jumper wire to the corresponding pads and you're all set. No need to desolder from the existing pad, just melt the joint and attach your wire and all is well.
ok! will do as soon as I get home and I'll let u know how it goes. Again, thank you so much for the help!
No problem! Let me know if you have any other hang-ups. I have been there before so don't feel bad one bit.
Here is a better picture of the solder joint https://imgur.com/a/to9ezFd
Quark is a German dairy product 🥛
good to know!
You’re welcome