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Pressing an encoder doesn't provide output

If pressing doesn't work, but turning does, you may need to adjust the height of your encoder knob.

When to use

You should use this document when you're using and/or experiencing the following.

Products

This page applies to the following products:

Situations

Use this page when:

  • Turning your encoder does result in the appropriate actions being performed (such as adjusting the volume).
  • Pressing your encoder encoder does not result in any action (such as muting the volume).

Expected outcome

After following the instructions on this page:

  • Both turning as well as pressing the encoder result in the expected actions.

If turning your encoder does work, but pressing does not, it's likely a physical issue: the encoder shaft does likely not have enough room to press own.

To fix this, remove your encoder knob by unscrewing the set screw on the side of the encoder knob a little. You can then connect your keyboard, and test whether pressing the encoder works.

If pressing it works now, the issue was indeed the encoder knob.

Fitting the encoder knob

Slide the knob back onto the encoder shaft. Instead of screwing the set screw in with the knob sitting at the lowest point, slide it up a little bit, and screw the set screw. You won't have to apply much force when tightening it, but do make sure it's solid - hand-tighten, as they say.

This should give the encoder shaft, along with the knob, enough space to move up and down. This will allow the shaft to actuate the press function of the encoder.

Test whether the press function still works. If it doesn't, loosen the set screw, move the knob up a little bit more, and tighten it again.

If pressing it didn't work without the knob

If there wasn't any press, it's likely that the soldering was faulty.

If you're using a preassembled kit and thus didn't do any soldering on the rotary encoder, please reach out to support and we'll help you troubleshoot and fix the issue.

If you've assembled the encoder yourself, you can follow the troubleshooting steps at Troubleshooting switches. The encoder press action functions in the same was as a keyboard switch, including needing a diode.


Questions? Help us improve!
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