Question Cosmic Byte Pandora Key Not Working (Loose) - Help needed

[imkrishnasarathi]

I have a cosmic byte Pandora keyboard. The control key of my keyboard is not working as intended. The switch is kinda loose and can be pulled or pushed in the socket. As a result when the key is pulled a bit the key is working as intended but when a bit of pressure falls on it, the key becomes normal but then it does not work. When the top part of the key is a bit elevated (pulled up) then the key is working as usual but when it is pressed into place, the key stops working. I bought this keyboard in 2022. How can i fix this?

 

[CelicaGT]

Is this a hot swap board? You may be able to replace the switch and or stabilizers.

 

[imkrishnasarathi]

Is this a hot swap board? You may be able to replace the switch and or stabilizers.

yes it is swappable. But isn't there any way i can fix this? The outemu switches are costly and I cannot afford them right now 🙁

 

[CelicaGT]

yes it is swappable. But isn't there any way i can fix this? The outemu switches are costly and I cannot afford them right now 🙁

You don't need the exact switches, you can also buy samplers for a few $. Even a full box of switches should only be around 15USD. You can read up on the various types, but the core types are Blues (clicky), Browns (Quiet but tactile), and Reds (Quiet, not tactile). There are otherwise hundreds of variations on this but that's a rabbithole I'd rather not go down right now. Did you check the box it came in? Sometimes they come with extra switched and a puller.

 

[imkrishnasarathi]

You don't need the exact switches, you can also buy samplers for a few $. Even a full box of switches should only be around 15USD. You can read up on the various types, but the core types are Blues (clicky), Browns (Quiet but tactile), and Reds (Quiet, not tactile). There are otherwise hundreds of variations on this but that's a rabbithole I'd rather not go down right now. Did you check the box it came in? Sometimes they come with extra switched and a puller.

keycap puller was there in the box, but switch puller and extra switches were not there. How can I find which switch is suitable for my keyboard?

 

[CelicaGT]

keycap puller was there in the box, but switch puller and extra switches were not there. How can I find which switch is suitable for my keyboard?

How do the switches feel? Do they make an audible "click"? Is yes the they are Cherry Blue equivalent. No "click" but definitely a "bump" you feel as you depress the switch? Cherry Brown or equivalent. Just a straight push down, no "click" or "bump"? Cherry Red or equivalent. Outemu typically uses the same colours for the base of the switch as Cherry, as they are a near direct copy. Otherwise they may be a custom switch like mine which uses other colours. The base switch types remain the same, you won't need an exact match by type. You will need to make check if they are one or two post (little bits on the bottom that align the switch in the socket) though it's not too big of a deal. If three post you can trim the two extra. Amazon, if available to you, has a vast selection of switches to choose from.

 

[imkrishnasarathi]

https://www.thecosmicbyte.com/product/outemu-mechanical-switches-for-swappable-keyboards-pack-of-20/ - Okay I see the company website already sells these switches at a low cost

 

[CelicaGT]

https://www.thecosmicbyte.com/product/outemu-mechanical-switches-for-swappable-keyboards-pack-of-20/ - Okay I see the company website already sells these switches at a low cost

That's the beauty of these types of board. You can also build it any way you wish, choosing switches and keycaps to suite your style. I recommend not doing this, or looking into it further. It can be far too addictive..