KM717 Bluetooth Keyboard Won't Go Into Pairing Mode

We tried reaching you on a private message asking for the Service Tag but did not receive a response. Please feel free to reply to the private message whenever you are available.

I have the same problem (no bluetooth pairing for the keyboard on channel 2) but no Android phone to try this fix.  Has anyone come across any way to factory reset the keyboard from Windows 10?

Harry - you don't have the APK do you ???

Just seen this ( I was on the original list and mine is still obviously broken for channel #3 ) and could really do with fixing this now i'm working from home with more machines every day!!!

So, just an updated for anyone that gets excited by this.

Assuming you track down the package ( which I did from a scary unreliable sources ) and install it, the firmware update works, but has on impact on the ability for the repairing to be triggered.

In my case, Channel #3 won't enter pairing mode.  Also, it didn't blank any of the pairing configuration present, so not looking like it clears the config memory as part of the reflash.

For those interested, these keyboards enter DFU mode with ESC+F1 held during power on.  Led light goes orange and keyboard advertises itself as DfuTarg to bluetooth for flashing.

DELL - PLEASE PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM

Same topic on Reddit for brand new units being shipped.

I can't get any support as mine is out of warranty - once they validated my service tag, Dell were not interested in speaking any more, even though this is an active product they are shipping with a fundamental fault.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Dell/comments/in5thq/wk717_wireless_keyboard_bricked_bluetooth_fix/

While I wasn't expecting a replacement, I do want to get to the bottom of the problem.  Its not that I can even just buy a replacement as the new ones are still having this problem.

@DELL-Cares, just not in this case.

Thanks for the tip Harry, did this but still cannot get the Keyboard into pairing mode on Bluetooth #3... Whats worse it my PC and Laptop are both second hand and out of warranty so the service tags just send me here, when I try to get support for my brand new KM717 Keyboard and Mouse set (Purchased from JB Hi-Fi last week) the support keeps asking for a Service Tag before I can send a message - which I do not think the KM717 has? If I enter either of the systems or auto-detect I get bounced out to the Community...

Dell - please address this issue of the Bluetooth not pairing, it has to be a simple firmware reset option? Also please put a general inquiries section on your website for people that have BRAND NEW Dell products without a valid service tag???

FYI. Service tag is on the back of the battery door cover on mine. Not sure if that is still the case on new ones though.

PS - The APK did nothing for me when I tried that path, so just living with it.

Thanks Simon, there is a bunch of numbers on a sticker back there but there is no service tag number - or at least a service tag number that the dell support website will accept...

Hi guys,

as noted before, pressing Esc+F1 the keyboard enters in DFU Mode.

Well, if instead of this, with power off, you press Esc+\ (the key just down the Esc, don't know if its the same in all language versions) and then switch the power on, MAGIC HAPPENS! the bluetooth settings are reset and the pairing mode is set on whenever you switch to channel 2 or 3, allowing you to re-pair with any devices!

Hope this helps someone, spent hours to find that simple solution!

regards!

Xavier

Just tried this on mine, after a replacement was issued by Dell after considerable back and forth messaging and can confirm it works. For AU layout (possibly similar to US, US Int and EU?) the key is ` or ~ directly under ESC as xs76 has stated.

Well done @xs76, Dell should really give you a job! I spent weeks getting through messaging on the forum because the code on the back of the battery is not a valid Service Tag number so you can't even get past the first screen on the support page. Finally got support, had to jump through some hoops, and eventually, a new KM717 was sent out to me... I hadn't had a chance to hook it up yet until now though and the email came in about your post.

Thank you and really well done, I will let Dell Support know as well.

Well done - tested mine - reset pairing and can pair again.  Repeated a second time as wasn't able to re-pair with another device after pairing both channels like before - worked a treat again.

I'm not going to say how many hours I spent with this, researching, testing firmware updates and the like.  Shame Dell support can't provide details of how to use their own products.

Kudos given !!!

I can confirm that after powering the keyboard with Esc+` as @xs76 suggested the magic indeed happened. Bluetooth LED for position 2 now lights again and I was able to pair the kb again.

I have run the Android app before (not sure what it did as it does not provide any info on current nor updated firmware and it can be run on an already updated unit again and again) but it didn’t help with the Bluetooth issue.

I have also run a similar app to update the mouse which came in the set with the kb, but the app failed to find the mouse (or perhaps I failed to switch the mouse to BT update mode, picture instructions are a bit unclear).

This is 'bonkers' of a solution. But worked. Now, what I want to know is, what on this planet triggered this 'solution' ?

Amazing solution @xs76 

Thank you for sharing this as I was unable to use BT#3 on my keyboard for months thinking its broken now.

The actual steps I used to reset it is

1. Power off the keyboard 

2. Press and hold ESC+F1 keys toegther and power on the keyboard which enters the keyboard into DFU mode as the light for BT#3 turns on as orange

3. Power off the keyboard then Power On and magic happened as BT#3 light turns on as white and follow the pairing steps.