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Upgrade KBD67v2 to VIA compatible firmware

Keyboards with VIA compatible firmwares can have their layouts easily configured with the VIA Configurator, a user-space application that can be run without any special permissions and that supports Linux! :tada: This method removes the need to build and re-flash a new firmware into the keyboard each time that it has to be re-programmed, which is time consuming and requires tools not supporting Linux.

Even though the factory firmware in my KBDfans KBD67v2 is not VIA compatible, it is actually supported by VIA and they provide a new firmware for this keyboard. So, let’s upgrade it:

  1. Download VIA compatible firmware from https://caniusevia.com/docs/download_firmware/

    • The file for KBDv2 is kbdfans_kbd67_rev2_via.hex
  2. Flash VIA firmware to KDB67v2 with QMK Toolbox

    QMK Toolbox only works on Windows or Mac systems

    1. (Re-)Connect the keyboard in bootloader mode by pressing Space + B while you plug its USB cable
    2. Launch QMK Toolbox
    3. Select kbdfans_kbd67_rev2_via.hex as Local file
    4. Select atmega32u4 as Microcontroller
    5. Select kbdfans/kbd67/rev2 as Keyboard
    6. Click Flash (disabled if the keyboard is not in bootloader mode, see step 2.1)
  3. Download and install VIA Configurator

With this new firmware, VIA Configurator now recognizes my KBD67v2 on launch and I can not only configure its multiple layout layers, but also control the backlight settings. All changes are applied and stored in the keyboard on-the-fly as well.

KBD67v2 on VIA Configurator

This post is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by the author.