Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly

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Introduction

This will show you how to tear down the Keychron K3 keyboard.

What you need

Step 1 Poweroff

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Poweroff: step 1, image 1 of 2

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Poweroff: step 1, image 2 of 2

Unplug the keyboard and toggle the leftmost switch to the 'Off" Position
For reference, the switches are located on the top of the keyboard.

Step 2 Removal of Keycaps

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Removal of Keycaps: step 2, image 1 of 3

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Removal of Keycaps: step 2, image 2 of 3

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Removal of Keycaps: step 2, image 3 of 3

Using a keycap puller, carefully remove the keys from the keyboard
NEVER attempt to remove the keyboard keys on any keyboard without a keycap puller or tool specialized to remove keyboard keys, not using the correct tool may damage the keys

Step 3 Confirm switches are hot-swappable

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Confirm switches are hot-swappable: step 3, image 1 of 2

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Confirm switches are hot-swappable: step 3, image 2 of 2

Check that your switches are hot-swappable. If they are not, trying to remove them will damage your keyboard.
The mechanical switches are NOT hot-swappable, and the colored stem is smaller and more oblong.
The optical switches are hot-swappable, and they have a larger colored stem which is mostly square.

Step 4 Removal of Switches

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Removal of Switches: step 4, image 1 of 3

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Removal of Switches: step 4, image 2 of 3

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Removal of Switches: step 4, image 3 of 3

Use a switch puller to remove the switches. If you have the included switch puller from Keychrone, it can be tough removing these switches.
Each switch has small tabs on the corners to grab and remove them. (Included switch puller might require extra strength to remove)

Step 5 Removal of screws holding chassis together

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Removal of screws holding chassis together: step 5, image 1 of 3

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Removal of screws holding chassis together: step 5, image 2 of 3

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Removal of screws holding chassis together: step 5, image 3 of 3

Use a # 1 philips drill bit to remove the 4 screws on the keyboard

Step 6 Removing Aluminum top chassis from base

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Removing Aluminum top chassis from base: step 6, image 1 of 3

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Removing Aluminum top chassis from base: step 6, image 2 of 3

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Removing Aluminum top chassis from base: step 6, image 3 of 3

Use a spudger or another wedge tool to pry open the plastic base from the aluminum chassis.
Use caution when removing the base from the chassis as there are tabs that hold them together!
CAUTION: The battery is located on the plastic bottom. The battery is connected to the PCB located near the orange switches and USB

Step 7 Disconnection Battery

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Disconnection Battery: step 7, image 1 of 2

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Disconnection Battery: step 7, image 2 of 2

Use tweezers to disconnect the battery from the PCB.
Use caution when removing the PCB! Pull away from the connector. Do not attempt to jiggle the cable as this may loosen/damage the connector

Step 8 Removal of PCB from Aluminum frame

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Removal of PCB from Aluminum frame: step 8, image 1 of 2

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Removal of PCB from Aluminum frame: step 8, image 2 of 2

Remove the 14 screws with a # 1 Philips screw driver bit
To remove the PCB from the aluminum frame, use a spudger to wedge it out.

Step 9 Dissasemble complete

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Dissasemble complete: step 9, image 1 of 2

Keychron K3 Ultra-slim Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Disassembly, Dissasemble complete: step 9, image 2 of 2

The PCB is now removed and able to work on.
When you reassemble the keyboard, make sure to put the orange toggles with the two nubs pointing towards the switch side of the aluminum frame.