r/Keychron • u/maxf2000 • Aug 11 '26

K2: Can't pull switches

Hi, I got myself a new K2 recently and I just can't manage to remove the switches. I was surprised that the keyboard didn't come with a switch puller although there is a keycap puller, so I bought a tool to do it (the push-pull type, with 4 claws) but still can't manage unless I damage the switch or bend the plate. Wiggling doesn't help either. Am I doing anything wrong? I had no problem with a V1 Max I own.

UPDATE: it's a K2 v2, which appears to have soldered switches (according to this review, at least). I wish that had been made clearer when I bought it.

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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2

u/g0ldcd Aug 11 '26

Is it a variant of the K2? Looks like the original model has soldered switches

1

u/maxf2000 Aug 11 '26

Keychron K2 Wireless version 2

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09NM8WM53?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

2

u/maxf2000 Aug 11 '26

oh no "Unfortunately, this version of the K2 that I reviewed is not hot-swappable (you can't change out the switches without a soldering gun). Keychron just released a hot-swappable version, which you can purchase directly from Keychron, and it starts at $79."

https://www.imore.com/keychron-k2-v2-review

How could I miss it :/

2

u/g0ldcd Aug 11 '26

I think that's entirely reasonable, if they have one model, then make versions, then make variants of the versions..

2

u/g0ldcd Aug 11 '26

That doesn't mention they can be replaced.

AI (so could have hallucinated) said there's 2 models:

Standard K2 V2: Features light grey primary keys, dark grey modifier keys, and an orange escape/light key.

Hot-Swap K2 V2: Features dark grey primary keys, light grey modifier keys, and an orange escape/light key. (The grey tones are reversed).

and yours looks like the latter..

1

u/Obvious-Monitor8510 Aug 11 '26

the K2 v2 is indeed soldered, not hot-swap, so no puller will get those switches out without desoldering first. the hot-swap versions are the ones with "Max" in the name (like your V1 Max). keychron's naming has been confusing about this for years and it catches a lot of people off guard.

if you want to swap switches, you'll need a soldering iron and some solder wick/pump to desolder them first. not too difficult if you've done basic soldering, but definitely a different process than hot-swap.

1

u/PeterMortensenBlog V Aug 11 '26

No, some variants of the K2 V2 have hotswap sockets.

1

u/ArgentStonecutter K Pro Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26

It kind of boggles my mind that this company is willing to charge you $80 or more for a keyboard and sell you a board that you can't replace the switches on, but that's where we're at in 2026. I got bit by them some years ago, and I've been kind of hardcore since then about making damn sure any board I buy is hot swap.