Keycap and switch pullers do different jobs. Use a keycap puller when you only need the cap off, and use a switch puller when the switch underneath has to come out. The keycap is the plastic top you press, and the switch is the part below it that registers the keystroke.
Before you use a switch puller, confirm that your exact keyboard model supports switch removal. Getting a keycap off doesn't require that check.
Keycap Puller vs. Switch Puller: Which Part Are You Removing?
Each tool grips a different part of the key. In iFixit's GK64 switch replacement guide, the flat ends of a wired keycap puller rest under the key. The switch puller is held parallel to the switch, and its ends wrap around the switch inset.
| Puller | Part it removes | Where it grips in the GK64 guide |
|---|---|---|
| Keycap puller | Keycap (the cap you press) | Flat wire ends rest under the key |
| Switch puller | Switch (the part under the cap) | Ends wrap around the switch inset |
The two tools also work in sequence. In that guide, every keycap comes off first. The switch puller then reaches the bare switch, and when it's pulled straight up, the switch should pop out of the circuit board and case. That means a switch job on the GK64 uses both tools, but a keycap-only job, such as the keycap washing the same guide covers, needs only the keycap puller.
When you shop our keycap and switch pullers, start with the part you plan to remove and pick the tool that grips that part.
Check Whether Your Keyboard Supports Switch Removal
A switch puller only helps when your keyboard's switches are designed to come out. Hot-swappable boards have switches that plug into sockets on the circuit board instead of being soldered in place. Check support this way:
- Find your exact model name. Look on the box, your receipt, or the original product listing. A similar model or a different version of the same board doesn't count.
- Read that model's manufacturer documentation. Look for clear wording that the switches are removable or hot-swappable.
- Decide based on what it says. If it confirms support, use the switch puller as that model's instructions describe. If it's unclear or doesn't mention switch removal, treat support as unconfirmed and stop at the keycap.
Don't use another keyboard's guide as proof. The GK64 hot-swappable guide shows switch removal on that one model, so it can't confirm that your board works the same way. If the term is new to you, our hot-swappable keyboard guide explains the parts and the build process before you buy a switch tool.
FAQs
Which puller should I use if I only want to remove a keycap?
Use a keycap puller. The switch stays in place, so you don't need a switch puller or a compatibility check. This covers keycap-only jobs like swapping in a new set (see our comparison of PBT vs. ABS keycaps) or getting under a key while checking stabilizer rattle.
What if my keyboard documentation doesn't confirm that its switches are removable?
Treat switch removal as unsupported until you know more. Ask the manufacturer about your exact model before you use a switch puller. Until you get a clear answer, limit your maintenance to the keycaps.
Does the GK64 example prove that another keyboard is hot-swappable?
No. The repair guide identifies the GK64 as hot-swappable, and its steps apply only to that board. Even a keyboard that looks similar can be built differently. Check your own model's documentation instead.
Do I need both keycap and switch pullers to replace a switch?
In the GK64 guide, yes. The keycap comes off first with the keycap puller, and then the switch puller grips the switch. If your model's documentation confirms that its switches are removable, plan on using both tools in that order unless its instructions say otherwise.
