Redragon keyboards are known for their performance, customization options, and budget-friendly pricing. However, some users report issues with the Redragon software (like Redragon Dragon Center or Redragon Keymapper) causing their keyboards to become unresponsive or "bricked" after installation. If you’ve encountered this issue, don’t panic! We’ve compiled a detailed troubleshooting guide to help you get your keyboard back in working order.
Common Symptoms of a "Bricked" Keyboard
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Keyboard becomes completely unresponsive after installing or updating the Redragon software.
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LED lighting stops working or behaves erratically.
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Certain keys fail to register or the keyboard appears to freeze.
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The keyboard is not detected by Windows or your PC.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Unplug and Reset the Keyboard
Before diving into more complex solutions, it’s essential to start with the most basic step:
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Unplug the keyboard from your computer.
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Wait for about 10-15 seconds.
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Plug it back in and check if it starts working again.
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If your keyboard has a reset button (like the FN + ESC combo or a dedicated reset switch), try pressing it to reset the keyboard.
This often resolves temporary glitches caused by software issues or improper initialization.
2. Uninstall the Redragon Software
The issue might be caused by a conflict between the Redragon software and the keyboard’s firmware. Uninstalling the software will help you determine if the software is the root cause.
Steps to uninstall Redragon Software:
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Open Control Panel (Windows + X > Control Panel).
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Go to Programs > Uninstall a Program.
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Find the Redragon Software (e.g., Dragon Center, Redragon Keymapper) in the list and click Uninstall.
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Follow the prompts to completely remove the software from your system.
3. Perform a Clean Reinstall of Redragon Software
If the problem persists after uninstalling, it’s time for a clean reinstall of the Redragon software. Here’s how you can do it safely:
Steps to Perform a Clean Reinstall:
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Uninstall the Redragon software following the steps in Step 2.
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After uninstalling, restart your PC to ensure all remnants of the software are cleared.
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Delete any leftover files:
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Navigate to the C:\Program Files (x86) or C:\Program Files folder and delete any Redragon or Dragon Center folder if it exists.
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Check C:\Users[Your Username]\AppData for hidden Redragon folders and delete them.
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Download the latest version of the Redragon software from the official Redragon website (make sure to get the correct version for your specific keyboard model).
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Install the software by following the prompts and restarting your PC afterward.
Note: Always use the official software from Redragon’s website to avoid potential issues from third-party sources.
4. Check Device Manager for Hardware Issues
Sometimes, the issue may not be with the software itself but with Windows not recognizing the keyboard properly. You should check the Device Manager for potential conflicts or missing drivers.
Steps:
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Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
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Expand the Keyboards section and look for your Redragon keyboard.
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If there’s an exclamation mark or error, right-click the keyboard and select Update Driver.
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If updating the driver doesn’t help, right-click and select Uninstall Device.
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After uninstalling, restart your PC. Windows should automatically reinstall the necessary drivers for your keyboard.
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If you don’t see your Redragon keyboard listed under Keyboards, check under the Universal Serial Bus Controllers section for any issues related to USB ports or controllers.
5. Update or Reinstall Keyboard Firmware
If the software is correctly installed, but the keyboard is still unresponsive, your keyboard’s firmware might be corrupted. Some Redragon keyboards allow you to update the firmware via the software itself.
Steps to Update Firmware (if supported by your keyboard):
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Open Redragon Dragon Center or the software you installed.
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Look for a Firmware Update option in the software (usually found under Settings or Advanced Settings).
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If available, follow the prompts to update the keyboard firmware.
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After updating, restart your PC.
If there’s no firmware update option in the software, consider contacting Redragon customer support for guidance on how to manually update the firmware.
6. Test on a Different PC or USB Port
The issue may be isolated to your current PC or USB port. Test the keyboard on another PC or different USB port to check whether it works.
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Try a different USB port: Plug the keyboard directly into a USB 2.0 port (avoid USB hubs or USB 3.0 ports to rule out any compatibility issues).
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Test on another computer: This helps isolate whether the issue is software-related or specific to your PC.
7. Check for Conflicting Software
Other software installed on your PC might be causing a conflict with the Redragon software. This is particularly common if you have other peripherals from brands like Razer, Corsair, or Logitech installed.
What to Do:
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Disable or uninstall any other keyboard/mouse control software to ensure there are no conflicts.
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Disable Windows shortcuts or settings that could interfere with your custom keybindings (e.g., Sticky Keys, Filter Keys, etc.).
8. Contact Redragon Support
If none of the above solutions work, it may be time to reach out to Redragon customer support for assistance. Be ready to provide them with the following information:
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Your keyboard model and serial number.
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A description of the issue (what happened after you installed the software).
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What troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken.
Redragon’s support team can provide specific troubleshooting steps for your model, or they may guide you through a repair or replacement process.
Preventing Future Issues
Once you've resolved the issue, here are some tips to prevent it from happening again:
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Always install the latest version of the software from the official Redragon website here.
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Regularly update firmware and software to ensure compatibility with the latest versions of Windows.
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Avoid third-party software for managing your Redragon peripherals. Stick to the official Redragon Dragon Center or Keymapper for a seamless experience.
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Be cautious with overclocking or custom macros if your software supports it. Sometimes, incorrect configurations can cause the keyboard to malfunction.
Conclusion
While Redragon keyboards are reliable and offer great features for gamers and typists alike, encountering issues with their software can be frustrating. By following this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, you should be able to resolve most problems related to "bricked" keyboards caused by software issues.
If the problem persists even after trying all the steps above, don’t hesitate to reach out to Redragon support for further help. Hopefully, with the proper fixes, you’ll be back to enjoying your Redragon keyboard in no time!