HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S User Guide

Background

I bought this keyboard quite a while ago. I had been using it at the office, connected to my work computer via cable — after the initial setup, it never needed any changes. Recently, while working from home, I needed to connect it to multiple devices, and since my home desk space is very small, I switched to Bluetooth. Although I had kept an electronic copy of the manual, I still didn’t know how to configure it when the time came — I kept forgetting the shortcuts and ended up searching all over the web, wasting quite a bit of time. So here’s a simple note to myself as a memo. If you happen to use an HHKB series keyboard too, I hope this helps a little.

Setup overview

Product Overview

Model: HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S
Connection: USB Type-C & Bluetooth 5.0
Battery: built-in rechargeable lithium battery
Compatible systems: Windows/macOS/iOS/Android

Basic Setup

DIP Switch Settings

Recommended settings for macOS mode:

SW1: OFF  - Enable the Fn key
SW2: ON   - Delete key acts as ⌫ (Backspace)
SW3: ON   - ⌘ key at the [Alt] position
SW4: OFF  - Enable Windows/macOS keys
SW5: OFF  - Keep default key layout
SW6: OFF  - Keep default key layout

Connection Methods

1. Wired USB Connection

Connect to the computer with the included USB Type-C cable
Switch to wired mode: Fn + Control + 0

2. Bluetooth Wireless Connection

Supports pairing with up to 4 devices simultaneously
Switch devices: Fn + Control + [1-4]
Check battery level: Fn + Control + B
- Green light: battery sufficient
- Orange light: battery medium
- Red light: battery low

Keyboard Shortcuts

Common Usage Scenarios

Scenario 1: First-Time Bluetooth Pairing

Press Fn + Q to enter pairing mode (the blue LED blinks)
Press Fn + Control + [1-4] to select a pairing slot
Select “HHKB-Hybrid” in your device’s Bluetooth settings
Enter the pairing code as prompted and press Enter to confirm

Scenario 2: Switching to USB Mode

When the battery is drained or you need wired mode:

Press Fn + Control + 0 to switch to USB mode

Scenario 3: Bluetooth Connection Troubleshooting

If your device can’t find the keyboard via Bluetooth:

Clear pairing information: Fn + Z + ~ (the keyboard will power off automatically)
Long-press the power button to restart the keyboard
Press Fn + Q to enter pairing mode
Press Fn + Control + [1-4] to select a pairing slot
Restart Bluetooth on your device and search again to pair

Maintenance

Clean the keycaps regularly with a keyboard cleaning tool
Avoid direct sunlight and high-temperature environments
Charge it once every 3 months to keep the battery healthy

Technical Specifications

Switch type: Topre electrostatic capacitive switches
Key travel: 3.8mm
Actuation point: 1.8mm
Lifespan: 50 million keystrokes
Charging port: USB Type-C
Battery life: about 3 months (varies with usage)

References

Follow the WeChat official account 技术后花园 (Tech Backyard) for more