New BlackWidow Elite - loud ping noise | Razer Insider

New BlackWidow Elite - loud ping noise

  • 24 February 2021
  • 4 replies
  • 106 views
T
Hello! I'm typing to you on a brand new BlackWidow Elite keyboard with green switches, which I LOVE except for the extremely loud "pinging" noise that I hear when typing and/or simply tapping on its metal housing. To be clear, I'm not talking about the "click" the green switches make. No, the "ping" is more like a hollow, metallic, almost reverb-y sound that rings out from inside the keyboard AFTER the bump and the click.

Here is a video that shows a completely different keyboard from a different manufacturer that has the same issue. Listen for the hollow metallic sound after he clicks a key or taps the keyboard frame. That's what I'm hearing from my BlackWidow Elite. When I game wearing headphones it's a non-issue, but when I type for work during the day, without headphones on, the constant pinging gets rather annoying.

After doing some research, it appears this is a relatively common problem for many mechanical keyboards, regardless of the brand. In fact, if I think allll the way back to my grandfather's old IBM keyboard, I'm pretty sure I can remember it pinging, too. So, my question is this: Is it worth me trying to exchange my unit for a new one, or do ALL BlackWidow Elite keyboards make this pinging sound, and some people just aren't as sensitive to it as I am?

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

Edit:

After reading a bunch of Amazon reviews, it does sound like a fair number of BlackWidow Elite owners (of all switch types) have similar complaints about "pinging". So, I guess my new question is: Does ANYONE have a BlackWidow Elite keyboard that 100% DOESN'T ping? If such a thing exists, I'll try an exchange and hope I get a better unit. If not, I guess I'll either try to get used to the ping or process a return if I can't.
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4 Replies

Razer.Caziel
Userlevel 7
Is the ping noise apparent only after hitting specific keys, or does it happen in general? If you're getting it as feedback after hitting any key, then it is highly likely caused by the spring bouncing back up in the switch.
T
Hi Caziel, thanks for the reply. Yes, the ping noise is louder on certain keys than on others, but overall this has more to do with the force of the impact than with the direction of the spring actuation. In other words, I can make the ping happen with a heavy downward press OR a key bounce-back after I take my finger off a key. And I can even make the ping happen simply by tapping on the metal keyboard frame itself, without hitting/touching any of the keys at all.

If I had to guess, I'd say there is something inside the keyboard (a metal base plate or perhaps one or two very sensitive key springs) that are vibrating whenever the keyboard takes a "hit" of any kind, be it a heavy key press/release OR a simple tap on the outside of the frame.

If you send me your email address I can send you a short video clip I've recorded, demonstrating the issue.
Razer.Caziel
Userlevel 7
If that is the case, then what you're hearing may be a recoil noise of sorts from the metal backplate. You can upload the short clip on GDrive and send me a shareable link via PM.
T
Razer.Caziel
If that is the case, then what you're hearing may be a recoil noise of sorts from the metal backplate. You can upload the short clip on GDrive and send me a shareable link via PM.


Thanks. PM sent.
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