Question Corsair K95 Platinum - Water damaged, I've replaced switches but not sure what else to do?

[wilko2023]

I spilt a bit of water on my keyboard a few months ago. It worked fine at the time, next day several keys were dead - F6, 6, Y, H and B - all in a line.

I dried it out and months later there's no improvement.

I didn't notice any damage at the time, but I thought I'd try swapping in some new switches - for 6, Y H and B - not F6 as that was hidden by some other PCB and plastic.

After the new switches are in and the LEDs still work, and from what I can tell and test with a multi-meter there is still current going through the replaced switches.

I didn't swap the F6 key as I didn't realise it was broken, it was hidden by a plate which I've just removed and it looks like the PCB is damaged there.

Given this is a £180 keyboard which I can't replace right now I'd love to fix it.

Can anyone provide some ideas on what I should do next, or if the PCB holds any clues as to what I should do?

I've taken some pics and a video showing off the damage you can see here -

https://imgur.com/a/5MGZwdL

View: https://imgur.com/a/5MGZwdL


N.B. The video is taken after I did some more cleaning. I've just ordered some more Iso as I ran out so I can clean it more thoroughly.

 

[hedwar2011]

It looks like some of the traces (the wires going from end to end for the switches, etc.) have either corrosion or damage to them. When you get the IPA, take a toothbrush and clean all those off and see if that helps. If not, you can try splicing the trace with wire but that's only if you're comfortable doing something like that.

 

[Ralston18]

Also try carefully unplugging and replugging the ribbon cable connections.

Look for signs of damage/corrosion with respect to pins and plugs.

 

[wilko2023]

It looks like some of the traces (the wires going from end to end for the switches, etc.) have either corrosion or damage to them. When you get the IPA, take a toothbrush and clean all those off and see if that helps. If not, you can try splicing the trace with wire but that's only if you're comfortable doing something like that.

Thanks for the suggestion - this makes sense and I'll definitely have a go - should I try and test with a multi meter before I try splicing? any tips before doing this? it's quite hard to measure as the circuit is covered?

 

[wilko2023]

Also try carefully unplugging and replugging the ribbon cable connections.

Look for signs of damage/corrosion with respect to pins and plugs.

I've tried looking for damage but can't see any - I'll grab a magnifying glass and do another sweep.

For the ribbon cables - how do I remove/replug these? They don't look like they come out and I didn't want to break anything so pretty much just left them alone.

 

[Ralston18]

Hopefully just some gentle rocking back and forth combined with a careful upward pull will disconnect the ribbon cables.

However, if the ribbon cables were initially just jammed on and/or have suffered corrosion etc. that effectively glues plugs to pins then that is a different matter.

Like many other components (and products in general) the ribbon cables and plugs have become weaker and flimsier. And made with cheaper materials.

If the cables do not easily rock and work upwards I would leave them in place for now.

Removal becoming the proverbial "last resort".

 

[hedwar2011]

Thanks for the suggestion - this makes sense and I'll definitely have a go - should I try and test with a multi meter before I try splicing? any tips before doing this? it's quite hard to measure as the circuit is covered?

Look on Youtube for how to repair trace wires on PCBs. There are tons of different options.