diff --git a/help/troubleshooting.md b/help/troubleshooting.md index 6bfc75e..2571811 100644 --- a/help/troubleshooting.md +++ b/help/troubleshooting.md @@ -15,12 +15,30 @@ This page offers remedies to common problems after completing your build. If you ## One or more keys don't work -A single key not working, which has neighbors that work, is most often caused by either a faulty switch, or diode to column discontinuity. It can often be fixed with a [bodge wire][Bodge wire]. +A single key not working, which has neighbors that work, is most often caused by either a faulty switch, or diode to column discontinuity. -You can either try measuring those with a multimeter, or turn the board on and bridge the diode's cathode to the right switch leg. If that produces a keypress, you can narrow it down further by bridging from the cathode to the switch leg (diode to switch discontinuity), and, separately, between the two switch legs (faulty switch). +There are a number of steps you can try, starting with the most simple. + +### Bad solder joint + +If the switch or diode are not soldered properly, this can cause the switch press to not register. +Try to reflow the solder on diode and switch. + +### Discontinuity + +If the reflow does not work, let's check if the key presses register. + +You can do so either by: + +- turning the board on and bridge the diode's cathode to the right switch leg +- checking that connection with a multimeter + +If that produces a keypress, you can narrow it down further by bridging from the cathode to the switch leg (**diode to switch discontinuity**), and, separately, between the two switch legs (**faulty switch**). To find out exactly where which diode is connected to which switch leg, please consult the [diagnosing a broken trace](./diagnose_broken_trace.html#inspect-the-schematics) guide. +If it's a faulty switch - you can replace the switch. If it's a discontinuity, you can [bodge wire][Bodge wire] it. + ## One or more rows or columns don't work If an entire row or column, or a large part of it, does not work, the most common cause is a broken row or column trace. They can often be fixed with a [bodge wire][Bodge wire].