If you use your keyboard daily for gaming, work, or general browsing, it’s going to collect dust, crumbs, and grime over time. Learning how to remove keycaps properly is one of the easiest ways to keep your setup clean, extend the life of your keyboard, and even customise how it looks.
Whether you’re deep cleaning your board or swapping in a fresh set of keycaps, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Why Remove Keycaps?
There are a few key reasons you might want to take your keycaps off:
- Deep cleaning – Dust, hair, and debris build up underneath keys over time
- Spill recovery – Drinks and sticky residue can affect performance
- Better performance – Clean switches respond more consistently
- Customisation – Swap in new keycaps to personalise your setup
A quick surface wipe helps, but removing the keycaps lets you properly clean the areas that actually impact performance.
What You’ll Need
Before you start, make sure you’ve got the right tools:
Keycap puller (recommended)
This is the safest and easiest way to remove keycaps without damaging your keyboard.
Good news: all of our League of Legends keycap sets at The Gamer Den come with a free keycap remover, so you’re ready to go straight out of the box.
Optional extras
- Microfibre cloth
- Cotton buds
- Isopropyl alcohol (for deeper cleaning)
- Compressed air
Avoid using sharp household objects like knives or scissors. They can scratch your keycaps or damage the switches underneath.
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Before removing anything:
- Unplug your keyboard to avoid accidental inputs or electrical issues
- Work on a clean, flat surface
- Take a photo of your keyboard layout (trust me, this helps later)
- Make space to organise your keycaps in order
A little prep here saves a lot of frustration when putting everything back together.
Step 2: Remove the Keycaps
Here’s the safe, simple method:
- Take your keycap puller
- Place it over the keycap so it grips both sides
- Pull straight up with gentle pressure
- The keycap should pop off the switch
Repeat this across the keyboard.
Important tips:
- Go slowly – rushing can damage switches or crack caps
- Wiggle slightly if needed, but don’t force it
- Store keys in layout order to make reassembly easy
Step 3: Be Careful with Larger Keys
Keys like:
- Spacebar
- Enter
- Shift
- Backspace
Often have stabilisers (metal bars) underneath.
These require extra care:
- Remove them gently
- Don’t twist or pull unevenly
- Take note of how they’re attached
Damaging stabilisers is one of the most common mistakes, and they can be difficult to fix.
Step 4: Clean Your Keyboard
With the keycaps removed, you can finally clean properly:
Quick clean
- Use compressed air to blow out dust and debris
Deep clean
- Use a cloth or cotton bud with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol
- Gently clean around switches
- Avoid excess liquid
Cleaning the keycaps
- Soak them in warm water with mild soap
- Let them fully dry before reattaching
Step 5: Reattach the Keycaps
Once everything is clean and dry:
- Line up the keycap with the switch
- Press down gently until it clicks into place
For larger keys:
- Make sure the stabiliser bar is aligned correctly before pressing down
If something doesn’t feel right, don’t force it. Remove and try again.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Pulling too hard and damaging switches
- Using sharp tools that scratch keycaps
- Forgetting your layout and struggling to reassemble
- Forcing keycaps back on incorrectly
- Not unplugging the keyboard before starting
How Often Should You Do This?
For most people, a deep clean every 2 to 3 months is enough. If you eat at your desk or have pets, you might want to do it more often.
Final Thoughts
Removing keycaps might seem intimidating at first, but it’s actually a simple process when done correctly. With the right tools and a bit of patience, you can keep your keyboard looking fresh, performing better, and lasting longer.
If you’re planning to upgrade your setup, remember that our League of Legends keycaps at The Gamer Den not only level up your aesthetic but also come with a keycap remover included, making installation and cleaning effortless.