In recent months, there have been an increasing amount of reports from users on the r/Keychron subreddit detailing issues with Keychron's high-end Q and V Max mechanical keyboard line-ups. Reports included recurring issues like double key presses, keys not registering, and unpredictable chatter on some keys. A handful of technically savvy users started speculating that the issues these keyboards presented were likely being caused by cold solder joints on the hot-swap sockets causing the hot-swap sockets to come loose and lose contact with the PCB. However, Keychron this week addressed the complaints in a statement on Reddit, explaining that it had seen these reports, conducted internal testing to isolate the root cause, and addressed these issues at a manufacturing level.

In the post and an article linked in the post, Keychron explains that the input issues were being caused by the switch plate becoming warped and essentially pushing the switches out of the hot-swap sockets. This causes intermittent contact with the hot-swap sockets, and could result in keys not registering or multiple inputs registering on every key press. To correct this issue, Keychron is advising owners who experience these issues to take their keyboards apart and reseat all of the switches firmly in the PCB sockets by pressing the plate and PCB assembly firmly between their hands with the switches installed. If issues continue, the brand recommends disassembling the keyboard entirely, inspecting the plate for warping, and carefully straightening it manually. Keychron says that, beyond the recommended fixes mentioned in the article, it is also handling individual customer reports on a case-by-case basis, although this approach and the corrective steps do not seem to be sitting well with the community and the brand's customer base.While Keychron says that it has since corrected the issues that have plagued these keyboards at the production level, redditors in the comments of Keychron's statement have largely expressed discontent at the need to disassemble what is ultimately a fairly expensive piece of tech to correct what boils down to a manufacturing defect. A handful of commenters are calling on Keychron to issue a recall on the affected products, while others are demanding that the brand at least send out new plates. It should be noted that there are numerous reports of customers reaching out to Keychron about these issues who are being sent new PCBs as a fix for the same missed input and key chatter issues.

If some keys on your Q Max or V Max keyboard require multiple presses or extra force to work, it is likely due to the plate being slightly bent or deformed over time, preventing the switch pins from making full contact with the PCB when pressed.

Here are some methods you can try to resolve this issue:

Method 1: Pressing the Keyboard Surface

• Power Off or Unplug the Keyboard: Before you begin, make sure your keyboard is either powered off or disconnected from the device.
• Position Your Palms on the Keyboard: Place both palms flat on the keyboard, covering as much of the surface as possible.
• Apply Firm Pressure: Press down firmly on the keyboard. Focus particularly on the area around the problematic keys, but avoid using excessive force that could damage the switches.
• Repeat the Process: Lift your hands and repeat the pressing motion 3-5 times.
• Test the Keys: Power the device back on and test the keys. In most cases, the keys should now respond normally.

Method 2: Straightening the Plate Manually
If the first method does not resolve the issue, you may need to manually straighten the plate.

• Disassemble the Keyboard: You can find the disassemble guide here.
• Straighten the Plate: Gently but firmly, use your fingers or a small flat tool to straighten the plate. Be careful not to apply too much force, as this can damage it. Focus on the area around the problematic keys.
• Reassemble the Keyboard: Carefully put the keyboard back together, ensuring all components are properly aligned and secured.
• Test the Keys: Power the device back on and test the keys again. The keys should now function normally.