How to Swap Switches in the OP1 Switch Pack: A Beginner's Guide

Quick answer

To swap switches in an OP1 mouse, open the shell, lift out the original switches, and press a new pair from an OP1 Switch Pack into the sockets. The packs are compatible with OP1, OP1 RGB, OP1w 4k, OP1w 4k v2, OP1 8k and OP1 8k v2, and each pack contains two switches, so one pack covers both main clicks. Work slowly, keep the mouse unplugged, and test the click before you close the shell.

Swapping the main switches in an OP1 mouse is one of the simplest hardware changes you can make, and it changes how the mouse feels more than almost anything else. A heavier switch can stop accidental clicks; a lighter one can make rapid tapping feel easier. Either way, the job takes minutes once you know the order of operations.

This guide walks through the process using the OP1 Switch Pack range, which comes in different manufacturers and sorting ranges so you can pick a click weight that suits you. It assumes you have never opened a mouse before and points out the mistakes that cause most first-time problems.

What you need before you start

You need an OP1-series mouse, one OP1 Switch Pack, and a small Phillips screwdriver that fits the shell screws. A plastic pry tool or an old credit card helps lift the shell without scratching it. Work on a clean, well-lit surface with a small dish for screws, because the screws are tiny and easy to lose.

Unplug the mouse and, if it is wireless, switch it off before you begin. There is no need for soldering on the OP1 because the switches sit in sockets, which is why this is a realistic first project. If you are unsure which click weight to choose, the packs list their actuation ranges, so you can compare before committing.

• Keep the mouse unplugged for the entire process.
• Photograph the open shell before removing anything so you have a reference for reassembly.

Choosing a switch weight

Switch packs are sorted by actuation force, and that number is the main thing you will feel. The OP1 Switch Pack - Huano 80m 55-60gf, Set of 2 sits in a lighter range, which suits players who want fast, easy clicks. The OP1 Switch Pack - TTC Dustproof Gold 80m 55-65gf, set of 2 overlaps that range but tops out slightly heavier, so it is a middle option. The OP1 Switch Pack - HNCHK 150m 60-70gf, set of 2 is the heaviest of the three and gives a firmer, more deliberate press.

There is no objectively correct choice here. If you currently misclick during tense moments, go heavier; if your hand tires during long sessions, go lighter. Buy one pack, try it, and treat the swap as reversible rather than permanent.

• Lower gf numbers feel lighter and faster; higher numbers feel firmer and more controlled.
• Each pack contains two switches, which is exactly what the two main buttons need.

Opening the OP1 shell

Remove the screws from the underside of the mouse and keep them in your dish. Slide the pry tool along the seam and work around the shell rather than forcing one spot, because plastic clips release more easily when you move gradually. Once the clips are free, lift the top shell away gently instead of pulling it straight up.

The most common mistake here is rushing the seam and cracking a clip. If the shell resists, stop and check for a screw you missed rather than adding force. Set the top shell aside where it will not be knocked or scratched.

• Check for hidden screws under the mouse feet before prying.
• Never lever against the switch area itself.

Removing the old switches

With the shell open, locate the two main switches sitting in their sockets. Grip each switch body, not the wires or the PCB, and pull it straight out of the socket. Steady pressure works better than a sharp tug, and the switch should release without much resistance.

A frequent error is pulling at an angle, which can bend the socket pins. Pull perpendicular to the board and do one switch at a time so you always have the other as a visual reference. Put the old switches somewhere safe in case you want to go back.

• Handle the PCB by its edges only.
• If a switch feels stuck, check that you are pulling straight up before adding more force.

Installing the new switches

Take the two switches from your OP1 Switch Pack and check that their pins are straight. Line each switch up with its socket, confirm the orientation matches the one you removed, and press it down firmly until it seats fully. You should feel it settle rather than stop halfway.

The mistake to avoid is pressing a bent pin into the socket, which can damage the contact. If a switch will not seat with light pressure, pull it out, straighten the pin, and try again. Repeat for the second switch, then give both a gentle tug to confirm they are locked in.

• Match the orientation of the switch you removed before pressing the new one in.
• A switch that seats with a clear click is seated correctly; one that feels spongy is not.

Closing up and testing

Reattach the top shell, aligning it before pressing the clips back together, then refit the screws and tighten them just until snug. Plug the mouse back in and test both main buttons with slow, deliberate clicks before you rely on it in a game. Listen for a consistent sound and check that neither button feels mushy or stuck.

If a button does not register, open the shell again and reseat that switch rather than assuming the pack is faulty. Once both clicks feel right, give the mouse a few minutes of normal use to confirm the change suits you.

• Test in a simple app or browser before launching a game.
• Do not overtighten the shell screws; snug is enough.

The OP1 switch swap, step by step

1. Power down and clear your workspace: Unplug the mouse, switch it off if wireless, and set out a screwdriver, a pry tool, and a dish for screws on a clean surface. Checkpoint: the mouse should be completely unpowered before the shell comes off.
2. Pick your switch weight: Compare the actuation ranges across the OP1 Switch Packs and choose lighter for speed or heavier for control. Checkpoint: one pack of two switches covers both main buttons.
3. Remove the shell screws and open the case: Take out the underside screws, then work the pry tool around the seam gradually until the clips release. Mistake to avoid: forcing one spot and cracking a clip instead of working around the seam.
4. Pull the old switches straight out: Grip each switch body and pull perpendicular to the board, one at a time, keeping the other as a reference. Mistake to avoid: pulling at an angle and bending the socket pins.
5. Seat the new switches: Check the pins are straight, match the orientation of the old switch, and press each new switch down until it settles. Checkpoint: a gentle tug should not move a correctly seated switch.
6. Reassemble and test: Clip the shell back together, refit the screws until snug, plug in, and click both buttons slowly. If a button does not register, reseat that switch before assuming the pack is faulty.

OP1 parts worth knowing

• OP1 Switch Pack - Huano 80m 55-60gf, Set of 2: Compatible with OP1, OP1 RGB, OP1w 4k, OP1w 4k v2, OP1 8k and OP1 8k v2, and sold as a set of two switches in a 55-60gf range. One pack covers both main buttons, and the lighter range suits players who want quick, easy clicks.
• OP1 Switch Pack - TTC Dustproof Gold 80m 55-65gf, set of 2: Compatible with the same OP1 range and sorted to a 55-65gf actuation range. The slightly wider, heavier top end gives a middle-ground feel if you want more resistance than the lightest option without going firm.
• OP1 Switch Pack - HNCHK 150m 60-70gf, set of 2: Compatible with the same OP1 range and sorted to a 60-70gf actuation range. The heaviest of the three, useful if accidental clicks are a problem and you prefer a deliberate press.
• OP1 Skin Set: Precision-cut black grip skins for the OP1 series that improve grip and let you customize the feel of your mouse. If you already have the shell open, this is a sensible add-on to improve control once the new switches are in.

Swapping switches in an OP1 is a short, low-risk job that lets you tune the click to your hand rather than adapting to a stock feel. Start with one pack, keep the old switches, and change the weight only if the first choice does not suit you.