How to Factory Reset or Flash Firmware for Your Keychron Q12 Max keyboard?

Troubleshooting? Or don't know what's going on with the keyboard? You may try factory reset. 

Note: If everything works fine with your keyboard. Please don’t flash the firmware. There is a chance it can damage your keyboard.

How to factory reset the keyboard

1. Slide the keyboard mode toggle to 2.4G or BT.

2. Press and hold fn + J + Z (for 4 seconds). The keyboard backlight will flash red quickly for three seconds, indicating that your keyboard has been reset.

If the problem persists after factory resetting, you can try to flash the keyboard firmware by following the steps below.

How to flash the keyboard firmware

1. Slide the toggle to Cable mode and plug in power cable to your keyboard.

2. Download the Q12 Max firmware and download the QMK Toolbox. (If the download link below does not work, use this link: https://github.com/qmk/qmk_toolbox/releases)

*Firmware version 1.00 updated on March 2, 2024

Download the QMK Toolbox

3. Unplug the power cable from the keyboard.

4. Open the QMK Toolbox.

5. Remove the space bar keycap to find the reset button on the left side of the space bar switch on the PCB.

6. Press and hold the reset button, and plug in the power cable simultaneously. Do not release the reset button till the QMK Toolbox display in yellow words "***DFU device connected". This indicates that your keyboard has entered into DFU mode.

7. Click open and choose the Keychron Q12 Max firmware. Click the Flash button. It will start flashing. (Note: Do NOT unplug the power cable while it's flashing.)

8. Wait a few seconds and when you see the content below, it means the keyboard has flashed successfully factory reset.

If VIA can't pair with your Keychron Q12 Max after you tried flashing, you need to follow these steps:

1. Reconnect your keyboard power cable.
 
2. If VIA still doesn’t pair together after you reconnect the power cable, download the Keychron Q12 Max keymap JSON file.

3. Open online VIA.
 
Step 1: Turn on "Show Design tab" on "SETTINGS" tab.
 
Step 2: Click on "Design" tab, then click on "Confirm".
 
Step 3: Drag the JSON file into the “Design” tab on the VIA.
 
Step 4: A window will pop out after you drag the JSON file, please click on "Keychron Q12 Max" and then click on "Connect".

4. VIA should pair together with the Keychron Q12 Max now.

You may contact support@keychron.at if a defect covered by the warranty arises in your product within the warranty period. Keychron will honor the warranty of our K Pro, Q, Q Max, S and V series keyboards (e.g.: K2 Pro, K8 Pro, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q1 Max, S1, V1, V2, etc.) by one of the following methods at our discretion:

- Defects of K Pro, Q, Q Max, S and V series keyboards have been caused by manufacturing: We will only replace the defective parts of the keyboard, not the whole keyboard, as it's highly customizable and easy to be rebuilt.

- Defects of K Pro, Q, Q Max, S and V series keyboards have been caused by disassembling our product, improper installation, non-factory repairs/modifications, improper adjustment of the product, or neglect, including but not limited to “burn-in”, and similar wrongful use: We will NOT offer free service. We only offer PAID service to replace the defective parts at your own cost (including the cost of parts, shipping fee, and tax if applicable).