Keyboard · System

Keep keyboard firmware current using the manufacturer's companion app

Firmware is the software running on the keyboard itself, separate from any operating-system driver, and it governs things like Bluetooth stability, battery reporting accuracy, key remapping storage, and lighting effects. Manufacturers periodically release firmware updates through their desktop or mobile companion apps.

What you should know

  • Install the keyboard manufacturer's official companion app and open its device or settings page, which typically shows the current firmware version and whether an update is available.
  • Keep the keyboard connected (ideally over its USB receiver or a wired cable rather than Bluetooth) and at a good battery level throughout the update — interrupting a firmware flash can leave the keyboard unresponsive.
  • Do not disconnect the keyboard, close the app, or let the computer sleep while an update is in progress; most updates take one to five minutes and show explicit progress feedback.
  • After the update completes, the keyboard may restart on its own; re-pair it if the connection doesn't resume automatically within a few seconds.

Never interrupt a firmware update mid-flash — losing power or connection partway through can require a manufacturer-specific recovery procedure or, in rare cases, permanently disable the keyboard.

Why it matters

Firmware updates fix real, user-visible problems — dropped Bluetooth connections, inaccurate battery percentages, laggy key response — that no OS-level setting can address, since those behaviors are governed entirely by code running on the keyboard's own controller rather than the connected computer.

Best practices

  • Check for firmware updates after first unboxing a new keyboard, since retail units often ship with older firmware than what's currently available.
  • Update over a wired or USB-receiver connection rather than Bluetooth when the option exists, since it's generally more stable for the duration of the flash.
  • Back up or note any custom key remapping or lighting profiles before updating, in case the process resets onboard memory to factory defaults.

Common problems and fixes

Companion app doesn't detect the keyboard for updating
Reconnect over a wired USB connection if available, close other applications that may also be polling the device (such as a separate driver utility), and restart the companion app.
Keyboard is unresponsive after an interrupted update
Check the manufacturer's support site for a model-specific firmware recovery tool or bootloader-mode procedure — most brands document a dedicated key combination to force-reload firmware after a failed flash.

Tips and tricks

  • Companion apps often bundle firmware updates with driver updates in the same prompt — reading the changelog before accepting tells you whether the update addresses an issue you're actually experiencing.

Frequently asked questions

Will a firmware update erase my custom key remapping?

It can, depending on the manufacturer — some preserve onboard profiles across updates and others reset to factory defaults, so it's worth exporting or noting your custom configuration beforehand if the app supports it.