The Corsair K70 is a keyboard with a lot of functionality.
With all of the K70 features and functions, it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to begin with making modifications or enabling certain capabilities.
In this guide, we will teach you all the essentials for your Corsair K70, including:
- How to Turn On The RGB Lights
- How to Remove The Keys
- How to Clean It
- How to Remove The Wrist Rest
- How to Use The Corsair iCUE Software
Let’s get started.
How to Turn On RGB Lights On The Corsair K70
Corsair’s K70 comes with some stock RGB presets on the keyboard. We’ll walk you through exactly how to use these RGB settings.
1. Press the Brightness Button
You can turn on the lighting via the brightness button.
The brightness button is in the middle of the button cluster on the top left of the keyboard. It allows you to cycle through four levels of brightness including off.
The keyboard will automatically turn on RGB when you plug it in. If the lighting is turned off, you can use the brightness button to turn it back on.
2. Install the Corsair iCUE Software
If you want more in-depth control over the lighting, you can use Corsair’s iCUE software.
With the software opened up, you can change the lighting by clicking the picture of the keyboard on the “Home” tab.
You can then click on the profiles list in the top left and select which profile you want to save the lighting on.
3. Change The Lighting Effects
To change the effects, go to “Lighting Effects” below the profiles list.
Then hit the plus sign next to the “Lighting Effects” title. At the bottom of your screen, you will be able to then change the RGB effect to any of their options.
For example, you can have an RGB wave or set a custom static color to a color of your choice.
You can also set different colors for individual keys by clicking on the keys and setting them each to the color of your choice.
If you want to use multiple layers of lighting, you will have to save the lighting preset to your computer rather than the keyboard itself.
How to Remove the Keys On The Corsair K70
Removing keycaps is important if you want to install a set of custom keycaps or do a deep clean of your keyboard.
The concept of removing keycaps is simple, but doing it correctly is key to not breaking anything.
We have a full guide on removing keycaps, and with the Corsair K70 the process isn’t any different.
The K70 comes with a keycap puller in the box for easy removal.
Before taking off keycaps it is recommended that you unplug the keyboard so you don’t press random buttons on your computer.
How To Use A Keycap Puller (Included In Box)
Using a plastic keycap puller is pretty simple.
You put your index finger through the finger-hole and then press down onto the keycap you want to take off.
Push until the puller clicks and the two plastic pieces are latched underneath the both sides of the keycaps.
Gently pull and wiggle until the keycap comes off.
It might take a bit of force to remove the keycaps, but you want to avoid recklessly yanking them off. You want to master the wiggle-and-pull to prevent damage to your keyboard.
When taking off larger keys such as the spacebar, shift, and backspace, the process is a bit more difficult.
You will want to pull the keycap up from one side and then the other side to ensure that the key comes off the stabilizers properly. These keys will feel more secure.
NOTE: Using the keycap puller included in the box can scratch the sides of the keycaps after too much usage. We recommend using a wire-style keycap puller instead.
How To Pull Out Keycaps With A Wire Puller
With a wire puller, the basic concept is the same, but the execution is different.
You want to hook both wires under each side of the keycap.
Once the wires are in place, pull directly upwards while wiggling. You want to slowly shake the keycap loose to avoid damaging the switch underneath.
For the larger keys, you first pull from one side of the cap and then pull from the other so the sides come off one by one.
When using a wire puller, it is easiest if you put the wire under a corner of each keycap side because a wire won’t fully extend the length of every keycap. The short stabilizer keys, like backspace, can be taken off the same as a regular keycap because it is small enough for the wire to latch onto each side.
When putting the keycaps back on, it is as simple as lining up the keycap stem with the stem of the key switch and pressing down all the way until the keycap doesn’t go down anymore.
What If You Lost The Keycap Puller?
Let’s be honest, the keycap puller included in the box is tiny, plastic, and super easy to lose.
If you can’t find the keycap puller, you could always use your hands. It’s a pretty painful process, so it’s not recommended.
You can also follow our guide on how to DIY a keycap puller. That’s probably your best bet.
Or you could buy a new keycap puller online, you’ll just need to wait a few days.
Using your hands could result in putting uneven pressure on the sides and potentially damaging the keycap, especially where the keycap meets the stem of the switch.
Nobody wants that.
How to Clean the Corsair K70
Due to its floating design, the Corsair K70 is known to accumulate debris and oils very easily.
Here’s why you should clean your keyboard everyone once in a while:
- Remove germs: Disinfecting your keyboard reduces your chance of sickness, especially if it’s shared by multiple people. This is especially important in this day and age!
- More satisfying to use: Let’s be honest, a clean keyboard is way more appealing and comfortable to use. Treat yourself by cleaning your keyboard.
- A Longer-lasting keyboard: Taking care of your tech will improve the lifespan. Less debris lowers the chance of components jamming up and breaking.
Doing a quick weekly clean and deeper clean every month or so is always a good idea if you use your keyboard regularly.
The Corsair K70 Weekly Clean
Ideally, you will want to wipe down the surface of the keycaps with a disinfectant wipe about once a week.
This weekly clean can be done in minutes and does not require you to take off keycaps or do anything complicated.
You should always unplug your keyboard before cleaning it. As a general rule of thumb, shutting off power is a good idea when cleaning electronics.
Cleaning the keyboard regularly to remove grease, germs, and dust is often overlooked as a way to improve your general typing/keyboard experience.
The Corsair K70 Monthly Clean
A monthly clean is where we’ll remove all the things that get below the surface of the keycaps.
We’re going to do a deeper clean.
Cleaning The Keycaps
First, remove the keycaps on the board with the wire puller. We recommend taking a picture of the keyboard beforehand so you don’t forget the layout.
Then you will want to soak the keycaps in a container with soap and water. Use your hand to scrub off any visible dirt.
After, let them dry on some towels. This will remove oil build-up and visible stains.
Cleaning Plate and Switches
While the keycaps are off, you will want to clean the surface of the metal top plate.
We recommend using a cotton swab to work your way around the keyboard to get all the bits out from between the ridges of the brushed aluminum.
If you want a quicker method, you can use a vacuum or compressed air although it may not be as effective.
Once the keycaps are dry and the plate is sparkling, you can install them back onto your keyboard. Now it will look good as new.
If you want to learn more about cleaning your keyboard, check out our article on how often should you clean your keyboard.
How to Remove the Wrist Rest on the Corsair K70
The Corsair K70 comes with a removable wrist rest.
This wrist rest attaches to the keyboard with two plastic clips, which can be a little clunky to use.
This makes detaching the wrist rest a little difficult. When the wrist rest is attached, you will see two clips on the bottom of the keyboard keeping it attached.
To take off the wrist rest properly, you will want to lift the keyboard slightly.
Next, you will need to slowly and lightly pull the wrist rest down at a 45-degree angle.
One of the plastic clips will need bend before the wrist rest will come off.
After enough force has been applied, the wrist rest should pop off.
It’s ok to use a little bit of force, just don’t overdo it.
Now you can use the Corsair K70 without having the wrist rest take up a ton of desk space.
How to Use the iCUE Software on the Corsair K70
The iCUE app has a lot of functionality but can be confusing at first.
There is a list of five different tabs with subsections. There are pages to control settings, change lighting, monitor devices, and more.
How To Change Polling Rate, Wipe the Memory and Update Firmware
There are multiple settings that affect how the device functions. Many of them are found in the “Device Settings Tab”.
One of the things you can change is the polling rate.
Changing the polling rate will control how often your keyboard will send information to your computer. It is recommended to keep it at 1000Hz.
You may be having issues with your lighting or want a fresh start on the onboard memory. Wiping the memory will set everything back to its original preset.
Since Corsair’s K70 uses decently in-depth software, you have the option to update the firmware. Updating firmware is an important factor to ensure you don’t run into issues, but you also get access to the newest features.
To get to any of these settings, you must first click on the “Settings Tab.” You will then go to the page called “Device Settings,” where you must finally click on the picture of the keyboard.
This will give you options to do things like changing the polling rate, clear the onboard memory, update and check the firmware, etc.
This page gives you access to key settings that determine how the board functions.
How To Change Profiles
One of the advertised features on the K70 is onboard memory.
You have three onboard profiles with preset RGB settings and key mappings that are customizable. You can also add as many profiles as you want to save on your computer.
If you want to switch between the different presets on the default settings or customize them yourself, there are two ways to do it.
One way is via the button on the keyboard. On the left side, there is a cluster of three buttons and the leftmost one will cycle between the different onboard profiles.
To change between profiles while in iCUE, you must go to the “Home” tab. Next, click on the keyboard.
You will see a list of profiles on the left-hand side that you can click between. You can then change the configuration of each profile.
If you want more profiles you can add more. Note that they will save to your computer instead of the keyboard.
To add them, while on the page for your keyboard where the profiles are listed, there will be a plus button on the right side of the word ‘Profiles’.
How To Instantly Change Lighting
If you don’t want to take the time to edit RGB settings or you want to quickly turn off the lighting there is an easy method.
You can click on the “Instant Lighting” tab at the top and you will get 11 color options (including black, off) to quickly change any RGB Corsair device.
The options consist of popular, satisfying colors.
Note that while you are using the instant lighting, it will override previous RGB presets until it is turned off. It can easily be turned off by pressing the ‘X’ on the bottom right of all the color options.
Conclusion
The Corsair K70 is a mechanical keyboard with a lot of functionality, so understanding it is key to getting the most out of it.
There are many key components that you will want to know your way around, like the RGB or device settings, but you also want to make sure you know how to clean and take care of your keyboard.
Understanding the K70 may be confusing at first, but after learning how the keyboard and software work you will have a more enjoyable and productive experience with your keyboard.
Happy Typing!