7. Troubleshooting (Version 2021-11-29)

7.1 Opening the base plate

First, take out the screws with a 3mm Allen Key then very slowly lift the plate. There is a PCB held to the base plate, as seen in Figure 7.1 and 7.2.

Second, slide the PCB off the base plate before fully lifting the base plate. See Figure 7.1 and 7.2 for how to do this. Leave the PCB attached to the microcontroller.

Figure 7.1 A PCB is attached to the base plate, shown in green. Yellow arrow shows the PCB holder on the base plate. Red arrow shows the direction to slide off the PCB.

Figure 7.2 Slide the PCB off in the direction of the red arrow to detach it from the base plate.

Third, pull the female RJ9 socket up to remove it from its holder in the direction seen in the red arrow in Figure 7.3. Pull the reset switch up to remove it from its holder seen in the blue arrow in Figure 7.3. Flip the black plastic cap on the FFC connector and slide the flat cable out of the FFC connector as seen in #3 in Figure 7.3.

Figure 7.3. Remove the RJ9 socket by pulling it up out of the holder in the direction of the red arrow (#1). Remove the reset switch by pulling it out of the holder in the direction of the blue arrow (#2). Flip the black plastic cap on the FFC connector and slide the flat cable out of the FFC connector (#3).

The base plate is now fully detached and can be put to the side.

7.2 Closing the base plate

When you close the base plate, the USB holder may push on some of the wiring. You shouldn't need to use force to close the base plate. If the base plate doesn't close with gentle pressure, carefully push away some of the wiring to make room for the USB holder.

Tighten the screws with an Allen key.

Always wash your hands after handling the insides of the keyboard.

7.2 Keyswitch is not working

Remove the keyswitch from the socket with a keyswitch puller. Check if the metal pins on the bottom of the keyswitch are straight. If any of them are bent, gently bend it straight with pliers. If you don’t have pliers, you can use the pads of your fingers to gently pinch it straight.

If the keyswitch pins are straight, open up the base plate and check if any wires have come off of the microcontroller.

7.3 Keymapping is flipped

Check whether the USB cord is connecting the left piece of the keyboard to the computer. The USB socket on the right keyboard should only be used to flash keymapping. Conceptually, your computer assumes that left side is the piece directly connected to it. It assumes the right side is other piece.

If you had not disconnected the RJ9 cord from each piece of the keyboard while flashing a new keymapping, you will need to re-flash each piece of the keyboard.

7.4 Thumb cluster not working after flashing right side of the keyboard

If the right side of the keyboard is directly connected to the computer, some keys on the thumb cluster will not register. This is normal. Simply make sure USB cable is connected to the left side of the keyboard and the RJ9 cable is connected to the right side of the keyboard. The keyboard should start working as normal.