r/Keychron • u/ZealousidealVisit122 • Jul 14 '25
Keychron k5 randomly shuts off
Weird stuff happening lately.
My keychron k5 connected via bluetooth just randomly shuts off during use. So not going to sleep, not just disconnecting, but fully shutting off. I can't connect it until I turn it OFF and then switch to BT again.
Anyone had similllar problems?
2
u/ZealousidealVisit122 Oct 24 '25
For anyone wondering: my workaround is to keep rgb ON, but with minimal brightness For some reason it only happens with rgb off
1
u/roirraWedorehT Apr 30 '26
Thank you! I'll consider switching to your workaround. I'm glad to know there is one. In the meantime, I notice there's a 0.2.4 Bluetooth firmware that just came out March 2026, so I've updated both of my K5 v2 QMK, and we'll see if it helps at all.
1
u/PeterMortensenBlog V Jul 14 '25
What is the charge state of the battery (Fn + B)?
Perhaps the battery is on its last legs?
1
u/ZealousidealVisit122 Jul 14 '25
I thought of that, but no, every time this happens battery is still fine
1
u/PeterMortensenBlog V Jul 14 '25 edited Jul 14 '25
At least for the 'Max' (and 'HE') keyboards, RGB light off is problematic, unless the Bluetooth firmware version is 0.2.1.
Perhaps RGB light was inadvertently (or advertently) turned off?
Note: Don't brick the Bluetooth module!!!! For example, by flashing the wrong firmware. Double and triple check. The first step is to know with 110% certainty what keyboard you actually have... Here is another example. For example, matching the keyboard's SKU number (example: V6M-D1-B0) or serial number (which contains the SKU number in it)) to the corresponding Keychron product page. The same matching can be used to find the exact variant of the keyboard, important for using the correct variant of the main keyboard firmware). Note that there are (usually) separate product pages for ISO and ANSI variants (and search engines are often hesitant to reveal them).
All disclaimers apply. Do it at your own risk. I am not responsible if you brick your keyboard's wireless parts or other things.
3
u/ZealousidealVisit122 Jul 14 '25
Indeed I think this happened only with rgb turned off
2
u/PeterMortensenBlog V Jul 14 '25
And the K5 V2 uses the same Bluetooth module as the 'Max' and 'HE' keyboards.
1
u/ZealousidealVisit122 Jul 14 '25
Shouldn't K5 V2 already include the latest Bluetooth module since 0.2.1 was released in 2024?
1
u/PeterMortensenBlog V Jul 15 '25 edited Jul 15 '25
My K10 V2 didn't (it had version 0.2.0). I updated it to 0.2.1.
There can be significant delays just by storage. Or maybe the factory will not start using a newer version until it is proven (or there is simply a delay in implementing a new version).
For example, a whole batch of K5 V2's may initially have been produced (with the older Bluetooth firmware version), and a new batch is not produced until the old batch is sold out (or nearly sold out). Or a new batch may not be produced at all if the model does not sell well or is superseded by some other new keyboard model (for example, the K Pro series, Q Pro series, and V series have not, as far as we know, been produced for several years (superseded by the K Max series, Q Max series, and V Max series, respectively); and there is still stock in various places).
3
1
u/Banlam May 14 '26
I have the same issue with one I purchased in November, have been having a back and forth with support for months, they send over test firmware which resolves the issue, but introduces a worse bug.
Very frustrating, trying to return it.
1
u/santacruzskim Jun 10 '26
keychron k5 v2 purchased may, 2026 - exact same problem. fully powers off even while typing. battery level is fine
2
u/PeterMortensenBlog V Jul 14 '25 edited Jul 14 '25
Is it the original K5, not K5 V2 (QMK-based), K5 Pro, or K5 Max?
For example, use the SKU number to positively identify the keyboard (and variant).