If you've ever played a digital piano, you've most likely experienced a stuck key. The most common cause of a sticky piano key is a build-up of dust or dirt under the key.
The stuck key may be a nuisance to you, but it's a sign of a bigger problem for the piano technician. There are many reasons why keys stick or become non-responsive on a digital piano.
Based upon our research, the causes are:
All the listed above play an essential role in the life of a digital piano. Digital pianos should be properly maintained and not neglected.
Keep on reading to know more about how to fix your sticky keys on pianos!
There are many reasons that your piano keys may become stuck. If you find yourself unable to move a piano key up or down, you should immediately stop playing that piano.
And set up an appointment to have a technician examine your low-Priced piano. Below are the common causes of sticky piano keys and how you can fix them.
1. Due to a dirty or sticky key contact pad
The keys stick on digital pianos due to a dirty or sticky keyboard contact pad when the keyboard contact pad gets wet from rain or other liquids.
The critical contact pads are also called pressure sensors. They determine if you have depressed the key far enough to make an electrical connection.
If the keypad is stuck or dirty, the pressure sensor will not work. It will lead to the keys being unresponsive or sticking.
Cleaning the keyboard contact pad should remove the sticky feeling. To clean the contact pads, wipe them down with a damp cloth.
Try cleaning the keyboard with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol if the problem persists.
2. The piano is not tuned correctly
The keys stick on digital pianos because they use sensors to detect when the key is pressed down and send the signal to the computer. It allows the computer to playback what was played.
If the piano were not tuned, the flow of sound will off. A digital piano stock must be adjusted and voiced before being played well.
The playability of piano should be in tune, and the hammers should be voiced until the key repetition is crisp, or else the keys will stick. The keys will feel mushy if the piano is tuned, but the key duplication is soft.
The hammers need voicing if the keys are in tune but feel mushy. If you want to avoid your keys sticking on digital pianos, make sure they are correctly tuned.
3. Humidity levels
The keys stick on digital pianos because of humidity levels. When humid air hits the piano strings, they become sticky and won't play well.
If you want to remove the keys from a digital piano, use a dry cloth. Players should use a keyboard cover and keep the humidity levels down.
If you are playing in a room where it's going to be humid, you could also try to use an air purifier to keep the moisture levels down.
4. Hammer parts are broken
The problem with the keys sticking is due to the hammer assembly of the keys. Sometimes a digital piano will have a hammer assembly problem in which the hammer part of a key will break or not function.
The hammers are the key to making a digital piano charming sound like an acoustic piano. When the hammer part of a key breaks, it will not function.
You can fix this problem by adding a few grams of weight to the hammer. You can add weight to a hammer by removing some of the felt. It is possible to replace the hammer with a hammer that is heavier.
The hammer is attached to a spring connected to the pedal, so you have to remove the spring. It is easier to eradicate the hammer and add some weight to the hammer itself.
5. The keys stick because they are made of plastic
The keys stick on digital pianos because they are made from plastic, and plastic tends to become brittle when exposed to heat. The keys may get damaged if you play a song on a digital piano for an extended period.
There are several ways to fix it.
6. The age of the piano
The electric piano key sticks on the digital pianos because they were made for older models of the piano tuner. The keys are less likely to stick with a modern piano than a vintage piano.
The age of the piano is a factor to consider, but not a big one. Newer pianos can have a shorter life span and have the key action regulated by a technician like a digital upright piano.
The main reason keys stick on older pianos is because they were maintained or not maintained at all. That being said, the age of the piano is only a minor factor in both digital and acoustic pianos. It is because maintenance is key to the survival and longevity of your digital brands of pianos.
The easiest way to clean your keyboard is to use a damp cloth and rubbing alcohol. Ensure you don't leave any residue from the alcohol on the keys.
If you want to remove the sticky stuff, try using a toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol.
You can also use a compressed air can to blow out the keys. But, be careful with the air can as you can damage the keyboard.
You will want to use a dry cloth with compressed air or a vacuum to get all the dust off the keys. You should give your digital piano manual a good key cleaning solution at least twice a year.
After cleaning, wipe the keypad with a damp cloth. If necessary, use a toothbrush to remove any dirt or residue.
I hope these tips below will help you maintain your keys. And keep them shiny and new, and enjoy decades of playing your digital piano.
1. If you have a piano that is not in regular use, you can close the lid on the piano and leave it untouched for an extended period. There is no need to dust the keys now and then.
2. If you have a digital musical piano with sticky keys, many things can cause this. Make sure your musical instrument is clean and using the damper pedal correctly.
It includes using a damp cloth to wipe away any dust particles stuck between the keys. Make sure that you use a soft brush to remove any dirt. Also, ensure that you keep your keyboard well ventilated.
3. You should learn how to clean and maintain the hammer parts and practice with a sense of touch to mimic the hammers.
4. When playing the keys of a digital piano, make sure you put the correct pressure on the keys. If you press too hard, the keys could stick, making playing the piano more complex and less enjoyable.
In this article, we've outlined a few reasons why your keys may be sticking on your digital piano. With the knowledge you have gained, you can now explain what's wrong with your stuck keys to your piano technician.
We hope this information has helped you understand why keys stick on digital pianos. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to comment.
