Gaming Keyboard Keychron K3 RGB (K3E1) User Manual

Keychron K3-E1 Hot-Swap Wireless Gaming Keyboard User Manual

Keyboard type: Mechanical
Connection type: Wired, wireless
Wired interface: USB
Connection ports: USB Type-C
Additional information: Full compatibility with Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Simultaneous connection of up to 3 devices via Bluetooth. Collapse
Switch type: Tactile
Switch model: Keychron Optical
Actuation force (g): 55
Actuation point (mm): 1.5
Travel distance (mm): 2.5
Number of keys: 84
Numeric keypad: No
Built-in memory: No
Programmable buttons: No
Wrist rest: No
Backlight: Yes
Backlight mode: RGB
Wireless connection type: Bluetooth
Bluetooth version: 5.1
Battery type: Li-pol
Battery capacity (mAh): 1550
Weight (g): 483
Length (mm): 306
Width (mm): 116
Height (mm): 22

Package Contents

Keyboard
Documentation
Additional keycaps
USB cable
Keycap puller
Switch puller
Carrying case

Quick Start Guide

If you are a Windows user, please find the appropriate keycaps in the package, then follow the instructions below to locate and replace the following keycaps.

Mac / Windows

1. Bluetooth Connection

Switch the toggle to Bluetooth

Press fn + 1 (for 4 seconds) and pair with the device named Keychron K3

2. USB Wired Connection

Switch the toggle to Cable

3. Change Lighting Effect

Press the lighting effect key

For the RGB version – press fn + right arrow / left arrow to change the color

4. Switching Between Function and Multimedia Keys (F1–F12)

For Windows: Press fn + X + L (for 4 seconds) to switch

A: Multimedia keys
B: Function keys

For Mac: Go to System Preferences → Keyboard → and enable function keys.

* For F5 and F6 keys as function keys, press fn + K + C (for 4 seconds) and use the same key combination to switch.

5. Disable Auto Sleep Mode

The keyboard enters auto sleep mode after 10 minutes of inactivity to save battery power

Press fn + S + O (for 4 seconds) to disable auto sleep mode.
(To return to auto sleep mode, press fn + S + O again for 4 seconds)

6. Key Remapping

We currently do not have official software for key remapping. However, you can use these two applications for remapping (excluding the lighting effect key). For Mac – Karabiner, for Windows – SharpKeys

6.5 Linux Settings

We have a Linux users group on Facebook. Please search “Key chron Linux Group” on Facebook to make it easier for you to use our keyboard.

7. Turn Off Backlight

If you are using a Mac computer, press the F5 key by default.
If you are using a Windows computer, press fn + F5 by default.

Or press fn + lighting effect key.

Factory Reset

Troubleshootingx Unsure what is happening with your keyboardx
Try resetting the settings by pressing fn + J + Z (for 4 seconds).

Overview of the K3 Bluetooth Mechanical Keyboard

1. Bluetooth indicator
2. Win/Android – Mac/iOS (operating system switch)
3. Cable / BT OFF (mode switch)
4. Charging port

Function Description:

Charging

Connect the cable to the USB port, and the other end to the keyboard connector.

Charging indicator:
When the battery level drops below 15%, the red battery indicator will start flashing. During charging, the red indicator remains on; after approximately 3 hours, when fully charged, the green battery indicator will light up.

* The Keychron keyboard is compatible with all USB ports. For best performance, use a 5 V 1 A adapter or USB 3.0. The Keychron K3 can be charged while in Bluetooth on/off mode.

** This device supports a charging voltage of up to 5 V and a charging current of 1 A. We are not responsible for any problems caused by incorrect charging.

Bluetooth / Wired Mode (Toggle Switch)

WIRED MODE

1. Switch the toggle to “Cable” (it only works when the USB cable is connected).

2. Connect our cable to the computer and keyboard.

3. The backlight will turn on.

(!) * In wired mode, the keyboard will not enter battery-saving mode.

BLUETOOTH MODE

1. Switch the keyboard to Bluetooth mode.

2. The backlight will turn on.

3. Hold the “Fn+1” keys for 4 seconds to activate Bluetooth pairing (the Bluetooth indicator flashes quickly for 3 minutes to allow pairing detection).

4. On your device, find the Bluetooth device “Keychron K3” and connect it (the Bluetooth indicator will turn off after successful pairing).

(!) Note: This keyboard supports simultaneous pairing with up to 3 devices using the key combinations “fn” + “1” / “fn” + “2” / “fn” + “3”.

* The Bluetooth indicator will continue flashing for 3 minutes.

** Due to different Bluetooth versions, slow or failed connections may occur. Please ensure that all settings are correct.

BLUETOOTH DEVICE SWITCHING

Short press the key combination “fn” + “1” / “fn” + “2” / “fn” + “3” to switch to another device.

RECONNECTION

1. Switch the keyboard to Bluetooth mode to activate it (by default, the keyboard will connect to the last paired device).

2. The Bluetooth indicator flashes for 4 seconds and automatically connects to the last paired device.

3. If the Bluetooth indicator is off, press any key to reconnect.

* To perform this function, the keyboard must already be paired with the device.

Turning Off the Keyboard

Set the toggle switch to the “OFF” position.

Battery Saving

In Bluetooth mode, the keyboard backlight turns off if inactive for 10 minutes. Press any key to wake the keyboard. If you want to disable the automatic battery-saving mode, press fn+S+O for 4 seconds. Then, if you want to return to this power-saving mode, press fn+S+O for 4 seconds again.

Backlight Adjustment

• Short press the Lighting Effect key to switch between different lighting effects.

• With the backlight on, press the button to switch between them. Short press fn + “left arrow” or fn + “right arrow” to adjust the lighting color. (RGB version only).

Operating System Switch

1 – MAC/iOS

Set the switch to Mac/iOS when connecting to Mac or iOS operating systems.

2 – WINDOWS/ANDROID

Switch the toggle to Windows/Android when the keyboard is connected to Windows or Android operating systems.

* When using Windows/Android mode, the WIN and Alt keys function as “Windows” and “Alt”.

3 – INPUT METHOD SWITCH

For iOS:

Input method switch: Ctrl + Space
Caps Lock: Uppercase letters (Enable in General → Keyboards → Hardware Keyboard → Language Switching with Caps Lock)

For Android:

Input method switch: Shift + Space

(!) Note: Some multimedia key functions may be disabled due to compatibility issues, versions, brands, and Windows/Android OS drivers. We also recommend not switching operating systems frequently, as this may affect keyboard performance.

Keychron K3 Key Combination Table

For the Keychron K3, we have included all the standard and useful function keys accessible through key combinations. Below is the table of all key combinations and the functions they provide access to.

Keys fn +

fn + - Decrease RGB speed
fn + = Increase RGB speed
fn + 1 Select Bluetooth device #1
fn + 2 Select Bluetooth device #2
fn + 3 Select Bluetooth device #3
fn + 1 (long press for 3 seconds) Pair with Bluetooth device #1
fn + 2 (long press for 3 seconds) Pair with Bluetooth device #2
fn + 3 (long press for 3 seconds) Pair with Bluetooth device #3
fn + Lighting effect key Turn backlight on/off
fn + Right arrow (RGB version only) Change backlight color
fn + Left arrow (RGB version only) Change backlight color
fn + del Insert
fn + F1 (Mac mode) F1
fn + F2 (Mac mode) F2
fn + F3 (Mac mode) F3
fn + F4 (Mac mode) F4
fn + F5 (Mac mode) F5
fn + F6 (Mac mode) F6
fn + F7 (Mac mode) F7
fn + F8 (Mac mode) F8
fn + F9 (Mac mode) F9
fn + F10 (Mac mode) F10
fn + F11 (Mac mode) F11
fn + F12 (Mac mode) F12
fn + F1 (Windows mode) Decrease screen brightness
fn + F2 (Windows mode) Increase screen brightness
fn + F3 (Windows mode) Launch task manager
fn + F4 (Windows mode) Launch panel
fn + F5 (Windows mode) Keyboard backlight off
fn + F6 (Windows mode) Keyboard backlight on
fn + F7 (Windows mode) Rewind
fn + F8 (Windows mode) Play / Pause
fn + F9 (Windows mode) Fast forward
fn + F10 (Windows mode) Mute volume
fn + F11 (Windows mode) Decrease volume
fn + F12 (Windows mode) Increase volume
fn + Win (Windows mode, long press for 3 seconds) Lock / Unlock Win key

Additional Key Combinations

fn + B Check battery (still in beta, accuracy not 100%)
 RGB version
   Red backlight = 0 ~ 30% charge
   Blue backlight = 30% ~ 70% charge
   Green backlight = 70% ~ 100% charge
 White backlight version
   Two rows off and one row lit = 0 ~ 30% charge
   One row off and the other lit = 30% ~ 70% charge
   All backlight on = 70% ~ 100% charge
 Non-backlight version
   #1 Red light = 0 ~ 30% charge
   #1 #2 Red light = 30% ~ 70% charge
   #1 #2 #3 Red light = 70% ~ 100% charge

fn + L + Lighting effect (long press for 3 seconds) Lock / Unlock lighting effect
fn + S + O (Bluetooth mode, long press for 3 seconds) Disable / Enable auto sleep mode
fn + S + L + R (Bluetooth mode, long press for 3 seconds) Auto sleep after 10 minutes without input
fn + S + L + T (Bluetooth mode, long press for 3 seconds) Auto sleep after 20 minutes without input
fn + S + L + Y (Bluetooth mode, long press for 3 seconds) Auto sleep after 30 minutes without input
fn + J + Z (long press for 3 seconds) Reset keyboard settings
fn + X + L (Windows mode, long press for 3 seconds) Switch between function and multimedia keys (F1-F12)
fn + K + C (Mac mode, long press for 3 seconds) Switch between function and multimedia keys (works only for F5 and F6)
fn + I + D (long press for 3 seconds) Switch between delete and insert keys

Possible Malfunctions and Solutions

If you cannot pair the keyboard with a device, make sure the device you are trying to pair supports Bluetooth. If it does, restart the device and try pairing with the keyboard again.

(!) Note: On a Windows computer, new Bluetooth connections may require an additional software update – a process that may continue even after the success message appears. Wait at least 20 minutes after pairing to ensure that all updates are complete before restarting your computer.

Ensure that the device is set up to accept Bluetooth connections (Windows) and supports an external keyboard (hidden profile).

Go to Bluetooth Devices → Open settings and select the following:

Allow Bluetooth devices to find this computer
Allow Bluetooth devices to connect to this computer
Alert me when a Bluetooth device wants to connect

My Keyboard Does Not Work

For the keyboard: Turn the keyboard off and on again.
Disable Bluetooth and restart the computer. (Windows)

For the device:
Go to Bluetooth settings, turn off Bluetooth and “forget” the keyboard.
Restart the device and enable Bluetooth for reconnection.

Bluetooth Connection Drops Within 10 Meters

Check if the keyboard is placed on a metal surface, which may interfere with Bluetooth signal transmission.

Third-Party Input Tools Are Incompatible with the Keyboard

Due to compatibility, versions, brands, and Windows/Android OS drivers, using the keyboard may cause third-party input tools to malfunction. Please make sure your operating system and drivers are up to date.

Some fn or Multimedia Keys Do Not Work in Windows/Android Mode

Certain multimedia key functions may be disabled due to compatibility, versions, brands, and Windows/Android OS drivers.

Precautions

Keep the product, accessories, and packaging materials out of reach of children to avoid accidents and choking hazards.

Always keep the product dry to avoid corrosion.

Do not expose the device to extreme temperatures below -10°C (5°F) or above 50°C (131°F) to extend the lifespan of the keyboard and battery.

Keychron, Inc.
Dover, DE 19901, USA.
www.keychron.com
[email protected]
Designed by Keychron
Made in China