YUNZII X98 QMK/VIA Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard User Manual

Introduction

This manual provides comprehensive instructions for the YUNZII X98 QMK/VIA Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. Please read this manual thoroughly before using the product to ensure proper operation and maintenance. The YUNZII X98 is a versatile mechanical keyboard designed for both gaming and productivity, featuring multiple connectivity options, customizable lighting, and hot-swappable switches.

Figure 1: YUNZII X98 QMK/VIA Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard.

Product Features

• Tri-Mode Wireless Mechanical Keyboard: Supports wired (USB-C), 2.4GHz wireless, and Bluetooth 5.0 connections, allowing connection to up to 5 devices.
• QMK/VIA Custom Keyboard with Knob: Features QMK/VIA open-source firmware for full customization of keys, layouts, macros, RGB effects, and the rotary knob (default: volume).
• Hot Swappable Keyboard with Pre-lubed Switches: Equipped with hot-swappable sockets compatible with 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches. Comes with pre-lubed Snow Switches for smooth typing.
• Gasket Mount Keyboard: Designed with 5 layers of dampening materials (Poron, IXPE, Silicone, Sound Enhancement Pads) for a milky, creamy acoustic profile and elastic hand feel.
• Crystal Clear Keyboard with Vibrant RGB: Crafted from high-transparency PC material with clear casing and shine-through keycaps. Features south-facing LEDs and 16.8 million customizable colors.

Figure 2: Key features of the YUNZII X98 keyboard, including 96% layout, multi-mode connectivity, 8000 mAh battery, hot-swappable design, QMK/VIA programmability, multi-function knob, full RGB, and gasket structure.

Setup

1. Connectivity Modes

The YUNZII X98 keyboard supports three connection modes: Wired (USB-C), 2.4GHz Wireless, and Bluetooth 5.0. The mode switch is located on the side of the keyboard.

• Wired Mode: Connect the keyboard to your device using the provided USB-C cable. This mode offers the lowest latency and charges the keyboard.
• 2.4GHz Wireless Mode:
  1. Switch the mode button to the "2.4G" position.
  2. Locate the 2.4G dongle stored in the keyboard's bottom compartment.
  3. Plug the 2.4G dongle into a USB port on your device.
  4. Long press FN + 4 to enter pairing mode. The indicator light will flash.
  5. Once connected, the indicator light will become solid.
• Bluetooth Mode (BT1/BT2/BT3):
  1. Switch the mode button to the "BT" position.
  2. Short press FN + 1, FN + 2, or FN + 3 to select a Bluetooth channel.
  3. Long press the selected FN + (1/2/3) key combination for 3-5 seconds to enter Bluetooth pairing mode. The corresponding key (1, 2, or 3) will flash blue.
  4. On your device (laptop, PC, tablet, smartphone), search for Bluetooth devices and select "YUNZII X98 BT1/BT2/BT3" to connect.
  5. Once connected, the selected key will stay solid blue.

Figure 3: Tri-mode connection options for the YUNZII X98 keyboard, including Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, and wired USB-C.

Figure 4: Detailed steps for Bluetooth connection using FN+1/2/3.

Figure 5: Detailed steps for 2.4GHz wireless connection using FN+4 and the USB dongle.

2. QMK/VIA Programming

The YUNZII X98 supports QMK/VIA firmware for advanced customization. This allows users to remap keys, create macros, adjust RGB lighting effects, and customize the rotary knob's functions. For detailed instructions on using QMK/VIA, please refer to the official QMK/VIA documentation online.

Figure 6: QMK/VIA programming interface for customizing key mappings, macros, and lighting effects.

3. Hot-Swappable Switches

The keyboard features hot-swappable sockets, allowing you to easily change mechanical switches without soldering. It is compatible with most 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches. The keyboard comes pre-installed with Snow Switches.

Figure 7: Demonstration of hot-swappable switches, compatible with 3 or 5-pin switches and featuring south-facing LEDs.

Figure 8: Specifications of the pre-lubed Snow Switch, including linear type, 3/5 pin compatibility, POM core material, bottoming force, total route, and life time.

Operating Instructions

1. Multi-Function Knob

The rotary knob on the top right of the keyboard provides convenient control over various functions:

• Short Press: Mute/Unmute audio.
• Rotate: Adjust volume (default).
• FN + Short Press: Change the RGB effect of the knob.

Additional functions for the knob can be set via QMK/VIA software.

Figure 9: Functions of the multi-function knob, including mute/unmute, RGB effect change, and QMK/VIA customization.

2. RGB Backlighting Control

The YUNZII X98 features 16.8 million color RGB backlighting with south-facing LEDs. You can control the lighting effects using FN key combinations:

• FN + Backspace: Toggle backlight effect ON/OFF.
• FN + Tab: Toggle white light ON/OFF.
• FN + M: Change backlight effect.
• FN + Enter: Change backlight color.
• FN + Up Arrow: Increase brightness.
• FN + Down Arrow: Decrease brightness.
• FN + Left Arrow: Increase blinking speed.
• FN + Right Arrow: Decrease blinking speed.

Further RGB customization is available through QMK/VIA software.

Figure 10: Controls for changing RGB backlight effects, colors, brightness, and blinking speed.

3. FN Shortcuts (Windows & MacOS)

The keyboard includes dedicated FN shortcuts for both Windows and MacOS operating systems:

Figure 11: Comprehensive list of FN shortcuts for both Windows (FN+A) and MacOS (FN+S) operating systems.

Maintenance

• Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the keyboard surface. For keycaps, a slightly damp cloth can be used. Avoid excessive moisture.
• Switch and Keycap Replacement: Utilize the included switch and keycap puller tools for safe removal and installation. Ensure the keyboard is disconnected or powered off before replacing components.
• Battery Care: To prolong battery life, avoid fully discharging the keyboard frequently. Charge the keyboard when the battery indicator is low. The 8000mAh battery provides approximately 45 hours with RGB on and 320 hours with RGB off. Charging takes about 13 hours.

Figure 12: Battery life estimates for the 8000mAh battery with RGB on and off, and charging time.

Troubleshooting

• Keyboard not responding: Ensure the keyboard is charged and properly connected (wired, 2.4GHz dongle, or Bluetooth paired). Try switching modes.
• Bluetooth connection issues: Ensure the keyboard is in Bluetooth pairing mode (FN+1/2/3 long press). Remove previous pairings from your device and try reconnecting. Ensure your device's Bluetooth is enabled.
• 2.4GHz wireless issues: Ensure the dongle is securely plugged in and the keyboard is in 2.4G mode. Try re-pairing by long pressing FN+4.
• RGB lighting not working: Check if RGB is turned on (FN+Backspace). Try changing effects and colors (FN+M, FN+Enter). Ensure brightness is not set to minimum.
• Keys not registering: For specific keys, ensure the switch is properly seated in the hot-swappable socket. If multiple keys, try resetting the keyboard (refer to QMK/VIA documentation for reset procedures if needed).

Specifications

Figure 13: The 96% layout of the YUNZII X98 keyboard, showing its dimensions and key count (96 keys + 1 knob).

Warranty and Support

YUNZII products are designed for durability and performance. For warranty information, technical support, or service inquiries, please visit the official YUNZII website or contact their customer support. Keep your purchase receipt for warranty claims.

For additional resources and community support, you may visit the YUNZII Store on Amazon.

Product Video