Replacing Mouse Switches - Razer DeathAdder Elite

The buttons on my 4-5yr old Razer DeathAdder Elite were starting to fail. The biggest issue being the button releasing on it's own, when i'm holding the button down.
I decided to replace them with Kailh 4.0 Red switches, as they sounded pretty good.
I modified my DAE mouse a couple of years ago to reduce the weight. Went from 105g down to 83g! In case you were curious about the 200 hundred holes drilled in to it lol
#shorts
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Filmed on: Samsung S22

[@Knaeckebrotsaege]

I find it kinda fascinating my Logitech MX518 Refresh I bought new in 2008 still works and has no issues with the switches (in use on my 2nd/workshop PC now), yet every mouse i've bought since had the switches fail after around two years (coinciding with the minimum warranty requirement in the EU.. hmmm), either doing double to quadruple clicks each time or letting go while holding down like in this video. Guess it's another case of "they don't make them like they used to"... Oh and hi to the 3 people in the world watching these stupid shorts on the regular YT interface with a userscript to replace the URL.. cause no one else is gonna see the comments :D

[@user-sc7bo8xf8s]

Yeah, I remember that in school we had one old Genius PS/2 mouse. It was dirty and beaten, even the rubber of the mouse wheel was torn off and desintegrating. Still, the buttons worked well. I notice, though, that the switch travel distance on that mouse was higher, but not too dramatic. I think, this little different design approach is what makes for a long switch lifetime.

[@bhaktibhandari7379]

It's all a part of something called as PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE which is widely practiced today by almost all the companies. It's basically an artificial end-of-life of a product. Companies design products to purposefully fail after a set period of time, so that customers have to buy a new one, increasing their profits significantly. This video puts it very well, in case you want to know more in detail:- [ by Veritasium] kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGbZaXdjltF0gac

[@andrive]

Ik you're talking about gaming mice but I got a wireless logitech mouse from 2012 that somehow still works fine lol

[@30mrinal]

Even I got a MX518 back in 2010 and it is still working flawlessly. The only mouse that has been going strong since this long!!

[@latebloomer2]

Planned obsolescence

[@the-bash-guy3309]

that soldering is so perfect...

[@robertemersonguia367]

I agree. The technique is to let the metals/coppers where you're going to solder heat up first.

[@nicenice3355]

No it’s not

[@archux_]

@@nicenice3355 bro do you know how hard soldering is to not look like dog cra- did you ever soldered something ? If no shut up

[@rypsterhc8673]

​@@robertemersonguia367do you u have a video on how to solder mice? What to buy and how to use it you know?

[@daniel-fehr]

Nice soldering! I also do this when my mouses start to fail, missclick, double click. It feels very crisp and satisfiying to click with brand new switches, without mentioning the money you save by not having to buy another mouse.

[@RestoreTechnique]

Cheers 👌

[@user-by2zs8ib2b]

But u mentioned it

[@rypsterhc8673]

​@@RestoreTechniquedo you u have a video on how to solder mice? What to buy and how to use it you know?

[@RestoreTechnique]

@@rypsterhc8673 I don't sorry, there are plenty of other soldering tutorials out there though

[@JcRabbit]

This is why I love the Asus ROG Gladius II mice: the original switches not only last a long time (in my own experience much, much, longer than the switches in Razer mice, which is why I stopped buying mice from Razer) as they are designed to be user-replaced (no need for soldering). They even come with a pair of replacement switches (although the feel of the alternate switches is different).

[@RestoreTechnique]

Interesting, that's a pretty good mouse then 👌

[@Shyvorix]

The newer Razer mice use their own optical switches which pretty much have an extremely high lifespan. But only the mice made from 2019 onward. Before they used shitty Chinese Omrons which were infamous for double clicking or straight up failing (Logitech is guilty for this too before they fixed it with the GPX Superlight).

[@kniazjarema8587]

@@Shyvorix Untrue. Mine just died 18 hours ago. Had the mice for 2,2-2,4 years.

[@wilville3752]

asus mice are dogshit but they have a patent for a god feature

[@ScimitarGaming]

when you experience problem with clicks then that's because of carbon on the contact point of the thin copper plate inside the click switch, you can open the switch and clean the copper strip using a brush and some alcohol. I always do that, Works like brand new.

[@RestoreTechnique]

Ok thanks for the tip!

[@ScimitarGaming]

@@RestoreTechnique Welcome, friend

[@Angadnil]

Haha. I just did this today with my omron blue switches on my g502 hero. I had double click issue both on the left and right switch. 😅

[@rypsterhc8673]

Do you have video on it?

[@rypsterhc8673]

​@@ScimitarGaminghave you uploaded a tutorial aboutt it? Would be great

[@bret3925]

THANK GOD. I do board repair and have been looking at mice mods lately, you're the first person I've seen actually know what flux and solder braid is. THANK YOU!

[@Conor6969_]

one small suggestion, you should cover the mouse sensor when using the heat gun on the base to protect the sensor from potential damage. Its likely not going to do anything but its just good practice

[@RestoreTechnique]

Oh ok thanks. Will it get damaged before the plastic starts melting?

[@Knaeckebrotsaege]

@@RestoreTechnique The transparent plastic lens between the sensor IC and the bottom of the mouse (0:39 shows it clipped in place on the bottom of the PCB) has the potential to go cloudy from heat really quickly, but that's just that, a (replaceable) piece of plastic, not the sensor itself. The sensor chips are essentially ultra-cost-downed, low-res CMOS cameras. Cracking (or even melting) one of those takes _far_ more heat than a heatgun aimed at a different part of the mouse at low setting provides. All plastic parts would be molten gunk on the table by the time the sensor takes damage :P

[@rypsterhc8673]

​@@Knaeckebrotsaegeexactly

[@greatsharky1186]

the last one winner winner winner winner.. lol

[@Mastermay119]

you are an angel, been stuck for 3 hours without sleep trying to remove the switches from my mouse and this 0:24 move helped me.

[@vlasnoruch]

If you can disasemble the buttons without desoldering, you can repair button's contacts

[@Guigui_82]

Yea I found a video where the guy just remove the tiny coper strip from inside the switch. He then bend an even tinier part of this strip to fix it. And replaces the copper thing. But replacing the copper strip is very difficult. I might be clumsy, but I somehow bent too much the copper stuff and couldn't unbend it. So I invested in a soldering kit and bought new switches. 🤣

[@bufalong]

Switch cheap bro

[@kismert]

I've looked at a bunch of these videos, and this guy seems to know his stuff!

[@gkarthik98484]

I have done same in year 1999 but now I'm simply buying new one

[@AndroidA258]

that caused by static, if you blow hot breath under the buttons from your mouth, it goes away, had this once with my mouse and it never happened again

[@RestoreTechnique]

Ok thanks for the tip

[@perplexasaurusrex6217]

Next video, Changing a Razer Mouse into an actual Adder. Love your work dude.

[@Cluesvlogging12345]

Really nice sauter job mate!

[@heartactive4692]

oh what.... where is PCBWAY love that stuff

[@amritsingh2171]

With those huge solder points, dash enough. Thanks for the video

[@andhinurfaizi6173]

So satisfying

[@BlackBoxster]

Bought a 20$ soldering kit, watched 2-3hs worth of vid tutorials, had 0 experience and I swapped my mouse switches.

[@a.w_.]

I’d recommend editing your text closer to the center of the vertical screen. The KZbin Shorts interface completely covers the text you’ve added unfortunately.

[@RestoreTechnique]

Yes thanks, this was my first full 9:16 aspect ratio and I wasn't prepared for how much was going to visible 😅

[@user-bn3lc5ev1j]

日本語のカチカチと勝ちとWINNERがかかってるの好き

[@MarksterC]

I like how I got this recommendation the day after I broke my Deathadder Elite trying to do this and ripped a trace off somehow

[@RestoreTechnique]

😯

[@gr4ff1t1art7]

I also had this problem with my razer deathadder, so i switched to viper

[@MartinMartinez-vx8qw]

name of the tape that you used to put over the screws at the end please

[@ultimatewerewolve9508]

I’d be too scared to do something like this

[@RestoreTechnique]

Yeah it's not for everyone

[@QasemElagez]

Whats the worst that could happen? Its already basically unusable :)

[@nikkigrace5288]

Don’t be. If it’s already broken then just give it a shot! It’s a lot easier than you think as long as you take it slow and gentle

[@razortotal]

switched my logi g305 with kailh mute switches, you just cant hear it now but u feel click, it's awesome, hate those clicky mouse switches

[@RestoreTechnique]

@@razortotal ooh nice, I would like to try that, and see if I like it

[@hassanishtay4022]

That's why you should buy a mouse that can be easy to replace switches.

[@RestoreTechnique]

They're not super common though

[@MrAeral]

Good soldering bro !

[@alisanan9090]

It happened to me, and I just put a lot of motherboard cleaner on the buttons and it just worked. No needed to replace it.

[@kaszas272HU]

Asus made the Rog Spatha X with easy to switch triggers if you want something better or its broken a few clip and done no soldering or anything .

[@ncmphotography]

Nicely done 👍

[@RestoreTechnique]

Thanks bro 😀

[@talhayaman8713]

dank i dont have a soldering machine so i switch the metal parts inside of those switches it kinda works too

[@RestoreTechnique]

Nice

[@zestarmy]

Oh God are people tryna make mice thocc now

[@luisespinal8862]

God tier video

[@mindaugas49ccm]

9 of my gaming mouses has bad or dead switches, tho kailh 4.0 red switches is so expensive, I hope is worth it. Your video motivated me to try fix them. Some of them are as old as 15 years.

[@ntag411]

Some quality mouses like the Logitech Pro are exceptionally well built. Thick glass epoxy boards and the left and right button switches are snap assembled. Just refinish the contacts with very fine emery or similar. This same issue can arise with anything that uses contacts such as switches and relays. Delicate gold plated contacts need a cleaner with little to no abrasive element.

[@LiviuLvu]

Yea, if it was that simple...I tried to change the double clicking switches on an old Razer mouse from 2012. Them switches were stucked to the board, it wasn't easy to warm the metal around the contacts, could have been an alloy. Finally, I think I damaged the mouse and can't use the left click anymore.

[@RestoreTechnique]

Ahh that sucks. You need to be able to solder to do this repair. It's not the easiest job for first time soldering either.

[@joetan1656]

I did this before myself with just a solder gun

[@RestoreTechnique]

Nice 👍

[@alialbeloshi5425]

I change many of my mice but you have good soldering tool , can you tell name of this tool please

[@RestoreTechnique]

Thanks mate. I use a Hakko FX-888D

[@Amutomoto]

the new mouse like viper is hotswap by its own switches right? so new models are easy to replace the switch now

[@FebiMaster]

I still use Logitech G502 from 2017 with no issues, it’s really long lasting

[@razmanrhoads2078]

I just recently mod the switches on my g502 hero.. im using ttc gold 80m and kailh gm 4.0.. yeah its a high quality mouse.. but the stock switches kinda suck... omron china kindly not last long and start double clicking..

[@FebiMaster]

@@razmanrhoads2078 I havent any problems with the stock switches though

[@Traxial.]

I wish i could use a un soldering tool so i can customize my office mouse

[@rafathali1999]

Well I can repair those faulty switches in a couple of minutes😀 instead of replacing we can repair original ones easily

[@savedbygrace2993]

May I know what soldering Iron you are yo using? Perfect soldering tho 🤘

[@gaming_ben]

i just added a piece of think paper between click button and the top. it still working fine 😇😇

[@kucingkeren8042]

Why don't you upgrade it to silent click switches, cuz i did it on my mouse, it's so cheap and I like it a lot ✨

[@RestoreTechnique]

Was unaware of such things, I think I would find it odd not having a audible click. I'd like to try it though.

[@kucingkeren8042]

@@RestoreTechnique Yes, you can keep your old button if you want to go back to the original button, you can change it anytime

[@Sulffur2]

@@kucingkeren8042 I'm about to replace the switches on my Deathadder too but I'm still confused about the switches. which would be the quietest and most durable with 3 pins? thanks!

[@kucingkeren8042]

@@Sulffur2 my mouse has three pins on the old switch, but the silent switches usually comes only with two pins, it's actually no problem if you leave one of the pins empty or not connected to anything because you actually only need 2 pins for the switch to work properly, 1 of the pins don't actually have any function anyway The 2 pin u need to use is usually on the front or u can check the position of the old switch

[@shingade1604]

I did today just open switch and cleaning with petrol 👍 it's work amazing

[@RestoreTechnique]

Oh nice, yeah I don't think I tried opening up the switch and cleaning it.

[@shingade1604]

@@RestoreTechnique it cost 15rupess India for each 15×2 = 30

[@danilbogdanov4691]

Просто изумительно Невероятно

[@mohamedmostafa4437]

bro u could just reclean the old clicks with some AKAI Spray and it would work just perfectly

[@RestoreTechnique]

Yeah a few others commented that, i didn't even consider that, I was kinda looking forward to changing to new switches anyway

[@BraaDi]

This issue is bothering me a lot on my 2 months old Logitech G502 wireless, could u please make a video on replacing its switches?

[@nhan1oc]

I also have the same situation

[@brenocostateixeira]

UAU!!!!!! Clean work!

[@Davenzoid]

Are those glass mouse feet? Won't you be able to reuse them then? Edit: Nevermind, i didn't see them flex the first time haha😅

[@mariohoopedme]

Is this just a sound change or does this help with gaming?

[@RestoreTechnique]

It can help with gaming, the switches have a different activation force, and button travel. But I'm not really gaming anymore so I didn't really care too much. Just sounded like a good switch for me based on reviews.

[@hendrilibrata3353]

removing the old switch always the biggest hassle for me, how can you do that effortlessly 😂

[@RestoreTechnique]

ChipQuik (low melt solder) helps a lot

[@backcenter2]

So basically what you need is a soldering gun and a switch. Can the teflon pads be easily put back or there is a good chance to damage them when you remove them? Also all the switches for Razer are the same, I mean from Deathadder to Naga?

[@mohammedshafiul6522]

Could u make a video showing the custom holes u made for the mouse ?

[@SqBGhost]

Man, I really should learn how to solder. It would save so much money in the long run. From replacing the sticks on shitty controllers because manufacturers decide to put lousy ALPS in, to replacing mouse switches for a fraction of the cost of a new mouse etc.

[@StarfilmerOne]

He must love this mouse

[@Zardy_OG]

I did this with my 6dollar wireless mouse. I swapped the scroll wheel switch with the left click.

[@RestoreTechnique]

Nice one

[@federicoricchiuto4421]

It is as if you have witnessed the birth of a new monster ...those DIY keyboards are like rabbits 🦫

[@nullpointer57]

Just put a drop of WD40 in the switch. Saves all the hassle

[@TMC_Shrek]

Hey, any tips on removing solder from solder holes? I find it incredibly difficult

[@RestoreTechnique]

Use flux and good quality copper wick. And a soldering iron tip that's big enough to heat everything of course.

[@Purbus_Equates_Cortez]

Hopefully you didn’t inhale the lead Did u use rosin core?

[@markjayzacladino4590]

what do you call on that copper thingy when you clean the soldering led?

[@anderli4185]

If you buy your next roccat mous than you need to know this

[@apostolkaftani9149]

Oh the roller--- yeeeeettt👀

[@RestoreTechnique]

😄⚙️💨

[@pejelmao5866]

Life with a rog chakram is easy, cleaning, rgb customization, and switch replacement. 120g tho, I actually prefer heavier mouses but i get how others would like the lighter ones

[@Renulph]

Is this used on all deathadders?

[@skreech01]

from were did you bought them switches ?

[@RestoreTechnique]

Ebay. But they're also available from www.ausmodshop.com

[@sityakxt]

haha, you don't even need to replace switches, these could be disassambled with tweezers. and clean contacts with a scalpel. Already did to my quite old logitech G9 and MX anywhere, and after clean they are fully functional (still using them every day and clean was done 5 years ago). Logitech uses omron switches, but same structure - and cleaning takes a total of 10 minutes, no soldering needed, just a screwdriver and tools mentioned above.

[@user-fi1ke2tj6w]

The switch construction is simple and may be cured by simply re-bending the spring. You will need to be dexterous, though.

[@jankalv3511]

I did this to my 70 Euro mouse and only spend 3 euro for 10 buttons. I can now use my mouse for who now how long.

[@RestoreTechnique]

😀👌

[@Prime.111]

Your job insane

[@EthanGilt145]

i always get that problem after drag clicking on it

[@narinderkumar5619]

No need to change switch just open that switch and clean the internal clip (carbon sediment)it perfectly work

[@RestoreTechnique]

Yes I should have tried that first. But the switch does eventually fail right? I mean it's only rated for 5 million clicks or something like that. I assumed that I did 5 million clicks over a period of 4 years, and the switch was done for.

[@deilusi]

speed holes ? you mean that thing that collect all the dirtiest things you can find on your desk?

[@victorvila9040]

where did you find that plastic cover and the foams?

[@wil-fri]

I didn't know they sell replacement pads for mouses

[@jkbasura5406]

What are those stands that you use when pulling the switches from the pcb

[@getsumon5163]

what mouse switches did you replace it with?

[@RestoreTechnique]

Kailh 4.0 Red switches

[@vishwanathveerni5007]

How much do the switchs cost and where you buy at?

[@RestoreTechnique]

Kailh 4.0 switches, bought off ebay for $10 for 2. I would've bought them from www.ausmodshop.com, but was in a hurry and ebay shipping was going to be faster.

[@vishwanathveerni5007]

@@RestoreTechnique okay 👍

[@diegoquiroga5183]

Hi good soldering, where do you buy the switches for the mice?

[@RestoreTechnique]

Thanks man. You can buy switches from ausmodshop.com/ or eBay.

[@ahmadghauri8054]

dont need to replace you can fix it too by adjusting the metal strip inside by bending it lilbit

[@RestoreTechnique]

Ok thanks for the tip

[@dsalainti]

logitech in a mud 💀 still love them tho

[@js0935]

In fact, no need to replace parts, just use a little wd40 to clean

[@gomachiku_]

Is that Pikachu a generator for a soldering iron?

[@breixo13]

What type of switches are those

[@RestoreTechnique]

Kailh 4.0

[@N3MAID3S]

Do you happen to know what switch is used for the middle click? The board looks identical to my DeathAdder 2013, and the middle click won't always work. Already swapped my left/right click with some kailh switches.

[@RestoreTechnique]

No I don't actually, it don't recognise it

[@N3MAID3S]

@@RestoreTechnique Alright, thanks for the answer :D

[@akku_zz]

try this: change the roller in mouse and replace with a toy car wheel

[@soumyadeepchowdhury1830]

From where did I buy/get the switches??

[@chenson2000]

to much work but at the end you feel like a f*king good

[@1A12BRANDON]

Am i the only one who got the speed hes reference

[@Iynz1]

Can mouse sensors be replaced?

[@tajemniczyrysownik]

how much would it cost to replace the sensor?

[@CaptainScout]

Me who has a ROG chakram with hotswappable switches: **pathetic**

[@RestoreTechnique]

🤣

[@StefanusLie25]

Hmm now i wanna try to my double click mouse 🤔

[@xe9416]

Mouse weight?

[@RestoreTechnique]

83g! (down from 105g)

[@krystoferklepa6434]

I do this every day when my mouse disconnects for 0.3 ms

[@Ptoki1]

If you heat the scates they come off perfectly? Is there any problems with slidjng after you reapply them or is it basically the same as if its brand new

[@RestoreTechnique]

Yep, as long as you don't put too much heat and melt the plastic, or dig into the plastic with a pry tool. No problem reusing them, just need to replace the adhesive on them.

[@Ptoki1]

@@RestoreTechnique do you need to purchase new adhesive for them then? Or is there a DIY adhesive you can use

[@RestoreTechnique]

@@Ptoki1 just use double sided tape. You can buy from stationary stores. I used TESA red liner tape, it's pretty strong.

[@Ptoki1]

@@RestoreTechnique I assumed that was a possibility, thanks man i gotta fix my mouse soon and will have to take off the feet, tbh I wish the screws werent under the feet

[@nizerchron]

me : Buy another staff