About the Standard of Akko Factory-lube

The standard “factory-lubed” switches will have pre-apply lubes on the following parts: 1) bottom housing stem rails, 2) spring, 3) stem and 4) spring cylinder.

Factory-lubed switches can be further categorized as machine lubed and hand lubed.

The technology of machine lubrication is not yet well developed and thus the amount of lube applied on every switch cannot be consistent. This could sometimes cause the switches to be overlubed with spillage. On the other hand, the lubes applied by hand lubrication will be more uniform and controllable, with comparably higher labor costs.

In some scenarios, “factory-lubed” means that the switches are being briefly lubricated during manufacturing. Therefore, we want to clear up a bit about the difference below and it is important to be 100% transparent for customers on what they would get:

The regular version Akko CS switches: the stem and spring has been processed with dry film lubrication, with machine lubrication on the metal leaf corners.

The hand-lubed version of Akko CS switches: bottom housing stem rail and cylinder will be hand-lubed in addition to the dry film lubrication on stem and spring as well as the machine lubrication on the metal leaf corners like the regular CS switches.

Akko’s Recommendations for Lubing Switches:

Everyone has their own preferred feelings for typing. The factory-lubed version can effectively reduce the pings/noise and increase typing smoothness. However, the application of lube will alter the original typing experiences on the “raw and dry switches”. And the amount of lubricant applied is also a matter of personal experiences. Therefore, there is not necessarily a best switch out there but just the switch that fits you the most. The purpose of Akko CS switches is to offer more options to keyboard enthusiasts.

You can use the Air modes in the Windows system. But they come without the extra WIN keycaps.

The Air models are just PC75B/PC98B Plus with mac mode set as the primary mode.  They still have Windows mode and you could change the mode by FN+O/Q.

All the keyboards sold on our website come with the keycap puller. 

However, we cannot guarantee the specific type of keycap puller that you will receive as it may vary from batch to batch. 

The Neon keycap set does have key puller. 

The R2 Complete Keycap set might not have one depending on the batch. 

Note: Only the Akko R2 Novelty Keycap Set would come with the designated cat paw keycap puller. 

You could check it on our website. It is shown on the relevant product details page as you can see from the product details. For example, Akko 3084-One Piece Chopper is the wired keyboard. It is advertised as a USB Type C interface.  

You can update the firmware for the 3068 Bluetooth 3.0 version to have a try.

3098 B/N & 5108S (3000 mAh battery): 6-7hrs

3068 (1800 mAh battery): 3.5-4hrs

Once you long press FN+TAB, the device wouldn’t be discoverable UNLESS you press FN+E or FN+R or FN+T to send the BT signal to the laptop and other devices. ​

Please press FN+TAB (long press), and then followed by pressing FN+E or FN+R or FN+T to see if the keyboard is discoverable via your device.

Right WIN;

ScrLK (Scroll Lock);

INS (Insert).

1)Please make sure you use the keyboard in wired mode (USB-type C and press Fn+U).

2)Please make sure your Akko Cloud Driver is up-to-date.

Only the B Plus version can use the Cloud Driver in 2.4GHZ mode and read the real-time battery level.

3) The keyboard is directly connected to computer without using a USB hub.

You could check and fix it following the steps below:

1)Rule out the cable issue

Plug in and out the cable to check the connection first. You could also try changing another USB Type C cable to see if it works.

2)Restore to the factory setting 

3)Check whether the keyboard is recognized by the computer

You could connect your keyboard to your computer and open Control Panel-Hardware and Sound-Device and Printers to check the devices recognized. If your computer can’t find a device called”USD-HID Keyboard” as shown in the picture below, it means the USB type C port might be defective.

If the keyboard is recognized by the computer but you are still unable to control it, please try updating or reinstalling your USB driver as directed in the picture below to see if it works.

Please note that the theoretical polling rate is 1000HZ In wired and 2.4G mode, it’s 125HZ in Bluetooth mode.

But it is influenced by the use environment of the keyboard, such as the speed you press the switch, the data transmission efficiency, and the decoding time of the device.

Introduction on the Structure of Akko PC75.

PC75 uses 1.5mm polycarbonate plate for mass production. To maintain the stability of the product, we’ve adjusted the gasket structure from earlier design and changed to a leveled-Top mount structure.

Specifically, the plate and the bottom of the keyboard are isolated by the edges of the silicone. The top frame has direct contact with the polycarbonate plate to secure its position. The structure doesn’t have the upper gaskets as a gasket mount. Neither does it use screws for PCB fixation like tray mounts. Therefore, we define it as a levelled-top mounted mechanical keyboard.

The PC75 uses PC plate, switch pads and foams to reduce pings and improve the overall sound profiles and typing experiences.

PC is a new series of Akko keyboards that use polycarbonate on all applicable materials. Polycarbonate is harder than traditional ABS plastic, thicker and translucent to achieve outstanding RGB effects of your mechanical keyboard.

We recommend two types of LED lamps (diodes):

1. 3mm round type LED lamps 
2. 2x3x4mm square head LED diodes.

Acceptable Specification:

Voltage:1.8-3.6V; 

Ampere: less than 500 mA. 

Note please choose single color LED diodes. If you choose RGB LED diodes, it will emit only red colors.  

Note Akko 3068BT 3.0 version doesn’t support Macro.

Only Bluetooth 5.0 version of the 68-key layout keyboard will support Macro. 

You can use the Air modes in the Windows system. But they come without the extra WIN keycaps.

The Air models are just PC75B/PC98B Plus with mac mode set as the primary mode.  They still have Windows mode and you could change the mode by FN+O/Q.

For the models which support Akko Cloud Driver/ Akko Wired Manager, you could remap the key in the Driver.

For the 1800 layout, you could use the hotkeys below:

Shift+7 (on the number pad): Home
Shift+1 (on the number pad): End

For most models, you could use Fn+P as a PrintScreen.

If it doesn’t work, you could remap another key or key combinations to PrintScreen in the driver.

Please note that you could press Fn+U to enter Wired mode.

For most B/B Plus versions, the flashing E/R/T key means it’s in Bluetooth mode. The flashing Y means it’s in 2.4G mode.

It is most likely caused by an accidental lock of Win key.

You could press Fn+Win to unlock the Win key.

You can press Fn + L to open/close the LED on Akko’s RGB keyboards.

You could press FN+W to swap WASD and the arrow keys.

You could press Fn+O/Q to swap the WIN and the MAC system, which would swap the win and alt keys.

The B plus products (3084B Plus/PC75B Plus) still use multi-modes solutions from Beken with improvements on the 2.4G mode.

Specifically, new features have been added:

1. The plus version supports audio visualizer in 2.4G mode.
2. Users can customize the idle time for 2.4G and Bluetooth mode in Akko cloud driver.
3. Users can check real-time battery level in Akko cloud driver.
4. Adjustable debounce: users can now adjust keyboard sensitivity. The keyboard will have a debounce time once you press any keys, which is simply the time takes for the MCU to process and transmit the signal. This function allows users to adjust the debounce time, which is ideal for gamers. Of course this will sometimes cause mis-typing. Users shall adjust the debounce time based on the typing environment.
5. The keyboard will enter power saving mode in wireless mode when users turn off the backlight. Power-saving mode has optimized the operating current to 12mA / hour (users with non-Plus version can update to the latest firmware, and press and hold FN + right shift to enter the power-saving mode).

Note: The B plus version uses an upgraded chip which is different from the regular B version. Users with the regular B version cannot realize features from B Plus version by upgrading firmware.

Plate: MOD007v2 comes with a spare PC plate instead of FR4 plate.

PCBa thickness: MOD007v2 (1.2mm) vs MOD007v1 (1.6mm).

Gaskets: MOD007v2 (comes with both silicon and poron).

MOD007v2 doesn’t come as pre-assembled for subsequent mod purposes.

Case foam and plate foam for MOD007v2 are both poron (no longer using EVA foam).

Added switch pad for MOD007v2.

The S version can only be used in wired mode(Type-C).

The B and B Plus versions could be used in multi-modes (2.4G/Bluetooth/Type-C).

The B and B Plus versions use different chips. They have the differences below:

1)The B Plus version could use Akko Cloud Driver in the 2.4G mode to check real-time battery level.

2)The B Plus version supports wireless standby time and key sensitivity setting in Akko Cloud Driver.

3)The B Plus version supports Audio Visualizer in the Windows Akko Cloud Driver.

Akko v2 version has some advantages shown as below:

1)  Detachable USB-Type C cable from the keyboard. 

2) Updated firmware for some media features.  

3) Improved stabilizers to prevent larger keys from wobbling. 

Note Akko 3087 isn’t specifically being categorized between v1 and v2. The “V2” design only applies for the 3108 model. 

Akko have many keycaps profiles including OEM, Cherry, JDA, OSA and ASA.

Click Here to View More.

DoubleShot

It is a printing type with two colors of plastic materials that are fused together such that one layer of plastic gets injected into the mold and the second plastic injected on top or around another color of plastic. It is considered to be one of the most reliable types of keycaps. Since the characters are at the top of the two fused layers, the legends will hardly fade away. The only disadvantage is the keycaps are made by the one-time molds, so the characters of legends cannot be modified. Once we need to add some new patterns on the keycaps, we need to make another mold.

Sublimation

A technology that uses hot energy to print the color on the keycaps. After the colors enter the material, the characters are also durable. Besides, the color of the characters is brighter after using sublimation technology. And the pattern can also be designed by ourselves. One of the disadvantages is that keycaps are out of shape easily because of the high temperature. With the high scrap rate of sublimation, therefore the cost is relatively high.

Laser engrave

A technology that burns the characters into the keyboard’s surface with lasers. It has a relatively low-cost. But the keycaps are worn easily. After some treatment, the lifetime of the keycaps will become longer. The most common treatment is called” Laser engrave with fuel injection.” This technology also suits the design of the character, pattern, and some demands special.

Screen printing

Using the silkscreen as the base and print the oil on the keycaps. Since the color of the keycaps may fade easily, therefore this method is suitable for side printed keycaps.

Please note that Akko’s Cherry profile keycaps could fit Akko’s north-facing boards well. But we cannot guarantee the compactibility of keycaps from other brands.

It’s just a reminder that Akko x TTC Princess switches/Demon switches will interfere with ASA-Low profile keycaps and Cherry profile keycaps so the diffuser is probably not an option for users who prefer a lower profile.

All full-size mousepads are 900x400mm if we don’t mention it on product page.

Akko CS switches (including the Jelly lines) are compatible with Outemu mechanical sockets.

They are NOT compatible with Outemu optical sockets.

The regular Akko Pink (non-retailer) or the TTC / Gateron Collab switches are not compatible to either.

About the Standard of Akko Factory-lube

The standard “factory-lubed” switches will have pre-apply lubes on the following parts: 1) bottom housing stem rails, 2) spring, 3) stem and 4) spring cylinder.

Factory-lubed switches can be further categorized as machine lubed and hand lubed.

The technology of machine lubrication is not yet well developed and thus the amount of lube applied on every switch cannot be consistent. This could sometimes cause the switches to be overlubed with spillage. On the other hand, the lubes applied by hand lubrication will be more uniform and controllable, with comparably higher labor costs.

In some scenarios, “factory-lubed” means that the switches are being briefly lubricated during manufacturing. Therefore, we want to clear up a bit about the difference below and it is important to be 100% transparent for customers on what they would get:

The regular version Akko CS switches: the stem and spring has been processed with dry film lubrication, with machine lubrication on the metal leaf corners.

The hand-lubed version of Akko CS switches: bottom housing stem rail and cylinder will be hand-lubed in addition to the dry film lubrication on stem and spring as well as the machine lubrication on the metal leaf corners like the regular CS switches.

Akko’s Recommendations for Lubing Switches:

Everyone has their own preferred feelings for typing. The factory-lubed version can effectively reduce the pings/noise and increase typing smoothness. However, the application of lube will alter the original typing experiences on the “raw and dry switches”. And the amount of lubricant applied is also a matter of personal experiences. Therefore, there is not necessarily a best switch out there but just the switch that fits you the most. The purpose of Akko CS switches is to offer more options to keyboard enthusiasts.

Please try the steps as follow:

Pull off the adapter first then long-press Fn+Y (or any other hotkeys in your manual) for 3s. Please note that the light under the Y key should flash faster after long pressing.

After that, please plug in the adapter during the light under the Y key flashes faster(flashing faster is an important part). Please make sure that the keyboard is close to the adaptor. Also, please rule out signal interference by other devices.

If it still can not work, you should try the steps below to rematch the keyboard and the dongle.

1) First press FN+Y for 3 seconds.
2) Reinsert the receiver and make sure only one receiver can be connected to the device.
3) Make sure that the keyboard is close to the adaptor.
4)Long-press FN+Tab to pair, then the indicator will blink, when the pairing is successful, the indicator will turn off.
5) If no pairing is successful, the indicator will blink for 10 seconds, then turn off and return to USB mode.

Please note that if you forgot the specific paired front-end device or if there remains a disorder in Bluetooth connection and communication, you’ll need to clear the computer/Phone’s Bluetooth cache by removing the keyboard from the list of the connected device.

Please try the steps below.

1) Remove the keyboard from the list of PC/Phones.

2)Long press and hold Fn + E / R / T to enable Bluetooth pairing. The keyboard will enter Bluetooth pairing mode when the blue LEDs under the E / R / T keys flash quickly.

3)When you first try to search Bluetooth devices, two groups of device names shall appear with Akko BT3.0 (Bluetooth 3.0) and Akko (Bluetooth 5.0). Select a
Bluetooth group based on your preferences (Note: some devices can only search for the Bluetooth 5.0 group).

You should try to replace another USB cable and another USB port to see whether the Drive or the PC could find the keyboard.

And you should check what the computer displays when you plug off and plug in the keyboard’s USB cable.

If  it comes out the massage “USB device not recognized. The last USB device you connected to this computer malfunctioned, and Windows does not recognize it”, it mostly like that  your inner interface cable has some problems. You could contact support.eu@akkogear.com for more help.

If it comes out nothing, you should try to contact support.eu@akkogear.comfor further help since it may be a firmware or a hardware problem.

You could remap any key on the Main-General page.

For example, you want to remap “INS” key to “Home” key(for the little-size keyboard without some specific key).

1)Click the “INS” key on the Main-General page.

2)Choose “Home”  through the icon next to the blank “Enter the key”.

3)Press confirm.

Or you could set the Fn hotkey such as Fn+ “?”  as the “Home” on the Main-Custom mode page as below:

1) Enter the Custom mode page, and press one key( yellow or green) you want to change.

2)Choose the “Home” key through the icon next to the blank “Enter the key”.

3)Press confirm.

As you can see, you cannot program the red keys on the Custom Mode page since they are system hotkeys such as Fn+L, and Fn+O.

If you still want to program them, you can enter the Alt+Custom Mode page. (only available for very few models)

For some models such as ACR Pro 75/68 or 5075S, you can switch between the 2 custom modes by holding Fn first and pressing alt(not pressing together).

For Mod 007S/3098B ,you can directly use the target key by pressing Alt+Fn+ the key you changed.

PC75 uses a 1.5mm thick polycarbonate plate. The plate and the PCBa board are fixed through switches solely without any screws to achieve flex during typing. Note the polycarbonate plate is soft and elastic. And the additional plate foam and switch pad has extended the thickness for the core portion of the keyboard, which will result in additional squeeze during transportation, and cause a few switches to be pushed out of the sockets, causing improper contact and not allowing the key to be triggered.

If this happens, please dissemble the keyboard to check whether the non-triggering switches are installed properly to the sockets. If it fell off, please push the PCBa board to ensure the switch pins are fully connected to the sockets.

If you did not receive order confirmation, it does not mean that the order didn’t go through. It will be processed without any interception because it is already in our system. Sometimes email SMTP communication may be intercepted.

It’s just a reminder you could check your spam box first. If it’s not there, you could contact support.eu@akkogear.com to resend another one. Some customers may leave the wrong email address in the order so it’s a suggestion that you could send your specific order number (if you have one) /name/shipping address/phone number which could help us to find your order.

Any email address containing “-” may not be able to receive the email. You need to send support.eu@akkogear.com your other email address so we could change it for you.

You could do the test as shown in the link:Short Test

You could do it with sharp tweezers or a small piece of wire which has good conduction, and you could use this test link:Key Tester

If it lights up on the screen, the switch is not in good contact with the switch socket and the PCB is okay.

Maybe one of the two pins in the socket was too loose to close the circuit, and that’s why the switch wasn’t responsive at all times.

You could tighten the sockets as shown in the picture(white arrows) and the videos below.

The broken socket:Broken Socket

You could fix it like this: How to fix it

You need to disassemble the keyboard to complete the screening.

It’s just a reminder that you should be really careful with the PCB cable and the JST connector since they are very fragile.

Please contact support.eu@akkogear.com for further help.

You’d better try to replace the USB cable and the USB port first to see whether the Driver/computer could find the keyboard.

You need to confirm whether the computer displays anything at the right corner when you plug off and plug in the keyboard’s USB cable.

If the computer cannot detect the keyboard at all, you should check the JST connector Pin and the daughter board.

Since the pins may be bent so you need to bend them back.

You should bend it as straight as possible, and then push the interface as gently as possible.

1 Separate the bent pin from the others with a small flat-head screwdriver.

2 Clamp the bent pin to make the pin straight with flat tweezers.

3 You could remove the interface as below to make the installation easier. Push in the JST interface gently. Once you feel any resistance, repeat step1, and 2.

If the pins are okay, please find another daughterboard as flows in the original box so you could swap the board to have a try.

Please note you should be very careful to plug in or off the cable of the JST Connector since the connector is fragile and easy to fall off.

Please note that different keyboard versions use different firmware. You don’t need to update the firmware if your keyboards could work well.

You can try updating the firmware in wired mode to restore the original version.Akko 5075B Plus firmware( V301)

We are sorry that we don’t have the firmware for Mac right now. It’s just a suggestion that you can update the firmware on windows, and then use the keyboard on Mac.

Warning: Updating firmware may have risks. The keyboard will be bricked if not well connected during the upgrade, which is not under warranty.

1)For all models, we advise you to restore the factory setting in the Driver or by pressing the restore hotkeys shown in the manual(Fn+~/Backspace or double WIN) for 5S first.

2)After that, if it still doesn’t work and your keyboard is hot-swappable,  you need to replace the switch to have a try. You could use the other good switches on the keyboard to replace the defective switch if you are convenient. Or maybe the switches become loose during the delivery and you just need to plug them out and replug them in.

You can search for how to replace a switch on the internet. How to swap the switch. If you don’t have a switch puller, you could use tweezers instead.

If the key is okay then, the issue is most likely caused by the switch. You need to contact support.eu@akkogear.com with your order number for a replacement service if you buy it from akkogear.eu.

If it’s not a switch problem, please contact support.eu@akkogear.com with your order number for further help if you buy it from akkogear.eu.

Sometimes dust and oxidation could cause those switch problems, so you need to clean the switch and the PCB by blowing with gas if you are convenient.

3)If your keyboard is not hot-swappable, it is likely either your keyboard gets dust/detritus retained in the switches or the keyboard switch might have a “dry joint” issue and needs resoldering for this specific key.

You could try to clean the switch by searching How to Fix a Stuck or Repeating Key on Your Mechanical Keyboard to see if you could clean up the switch and resolve the issue. You could try the contact restorer too if you have some.

If it still doesn’t work, we are afraid that you might need to replace the switch with a soldering iron to have a try. You could contact support.eu@akkogear.com with your order number for further help if you buy it from akkogear.eu.

1)Please make sure you use the keyboard in wired mode (USB-type C and press Fn+U).

2)Please make sure your Akko Cloud Driver is up-to-date.

Only the B Plus version can use the Cloud Driver in 2.4GHZ mode and read the real-time battery level.

3) The keyboard is directly connected to computer without using a USB hub.

It’s because the bottom housing of the switch and the keycaps are a different color and the plate may be polycarbonate, therefore, causing the color of the light to be distorted. ​You could check it without the keycaps it should be okay.

This issue could happen on Blue on White 5075B Plus – Akko V3 Cream Yellow or any other RGB keyboards.

You can customize many parameters for any effect, so it’s possible that youset the brightness of the specific effect to zero. You could check it in Akko Cloud Driver’s Light age (if your keyboard supports it).