Bricked Then Fixed My Keychron Q6

Last evening I was messing around and decided I might try to update the firmware on my Keychron Q6 keyboard. I grabbed the wrong firmware because I am an idiot. I think I downloaded the firmware for the pro version accidentally. That was the one I was going to buy when I got it but then decided the wireless wasn’t worth the price since I wouldn’t use it. Every so often I do this kind of thing so absentmindedly without thinking.

When it was done flashing, there were no lights. No keyboard response to anything at all. Fortunately, I have my old keyboard still that was finicky but functional. I never really was crazy about that one, but it was something. Went up into the attic to grab that one so I could use it to do some research. Even though it wasn’t perfect, it was better than nothing at all. It pays to keep a spare sometimes.

It turns out I found that there is a reset button under the space bar that lets it go into the bootloader. I found the correct firmware and reflashed it using the toolbox program they have available to download. Sad to admit I chose the wrong version again at first but did get it working.

The key puller tool they included with it was handy to pull the keycaps off. I still may change them someday. I just haven’t thought about it since I initially bought the keyboard. Same with the switches.

It seems wild to me that keyboards have their firmware now because they have their own built-in computer. Now this particular model has LEDs and stuff that can be programmed, so it makes sense. The reality is the built-in computer is probably more powerful than my first computer, the Commodore 64.

That brief period of using the old Corsair keyboard reminded me of just how much I didn’t like that one. It just never felt right to me. This newer Q6 that I have been using for the past couple of years has never disappointed me at all. There really hasn’t been a time at all when I have sat here and thought, I want to try something different.

Other than this time, the keyboard has not given me any problems at all. This was my fault. It always just works.

It feels as solid as it did on day one. The keys just feel right to me. I feel like the old Corsair missed keys when I typed fast, but I haven’t really noticed that at all on this Keychron one.

If I ever find myself wanting a new keyboard, I will definitely give this company a look. I can’t imagine it would be because the current one breaks, though. This thing is heavy and solid. I think it might survive a meteor impact. At least that is the way it feels. The switches are, of course, mechanical, so someday they may wear out, but those can be replaced, and the device even came with a tool to remove them!

After a couple of years using it, I can’t recommend this keyboard enough!