Corne works using Bluetooth but not when plugged in using USB cable
I have my Corne connected to my MacBook using Bluetooth.
I also use Linux on another computer and I usually will connect the corne using a usb cable.
Normally this works but all of a sudden when plugging into my Linux computer the usb cable is charging the corne but not being recognized as a usb device so I can’t actually use it. Not sure what to look into for this
2 Replies
Got it — since your Corne still works over Bluetooth and charges over USB, this sounds like the NICENANO is powering up fine but not enumerating as a USB HID device anymore.
Here are the main things you can try/check:
1. Test the cable
- Make sure you’re using a data‑capable USB‑C cable. Many charge‑only cables look the same but won’t pass data.
- Try at least one other known good data cable.
2. Test ports & devices
- Plug into a different USB port on the Linux machine.
- Try a different computer entirely — if it works elsewhere, the issue might be with your Linux USB drivers/permissions.
- Check
3. Firmware/bootloader check
- Double‑tap the reset button on the left‑half nice!nano while plugged in. You should see a NICENANO drive appear.
- If the bootloader doesn’t appear, that specific nice!nano may have a USB data line hardware issue.
- If the bootloader does appear but normal typing over USB still doesn’t work, reflashing firmware may fix a corrupted UF2.
4. Reflash firmware (if bootloader works)
- Download the correct left‑half UF2 from the firmware guide and drag it to the NICENANO drive.
- Unplug/replug and test again.
5. If bootloader doesn’t appear anywhere
- That usually indicates a physical USB data line issue: USB port, solder joints, or the nano itself.
- You may need to reseat/replace the nice!nano if the port or data traces are damaged.
If you try the above and it’s still not working over USB, let me know your results from step 3 — that will tell us whether this is firmware/software or hardware‑related.
Here are the main things you can try/check:
1. Test the cable
- Make sure you’re using a data‑capable USB‑C cable. Many charge‑only cables look the same but won’t pass data.
- Try at least one other known good data cable.
2. Test ports & devices
- Plug into a different USB port on the Linux machine.
- Try a different computer entirely — if it works elsewhere, the issue might be with your Linux USB drivers/permissions.
- Check
dmesg -w or journalctl -f after plugging in to see if the kernel logs any connection attempts or errors.3. Firmware/bootloader check
- Double‑tap the reset button on the left‑half nice!nano while plugged in. You should see a NICENANO drive appear.
- If the bootloader doesn’t appear, that specific nice!nano may have a USB data line hardware issue.
- If the bootloader does appear but normal typing over USB still doesn’t work, reflashing firmware may fix a corrupted UF2.
4. Reflash firmware (if bootloader works)
- Download the correct left‑half UF2 from the firmware guide and drag it to the NICENANO drive.
- Unplug/replug and test again.
5. If bootloader doesn’t appear anywhere
- That usually indicates a physical USB data line issue: USB port, solder joints, or the nano itself.
- You may need to reseat/replace the nice!nano if the port or data traces are damaged.
If you try the above and it’s still not working over USB, let me know your results from step 3 — that will tell us whether this is firmware/software or hardware‑related.
Firmware | Typeractive.xyz Documentation
If you're not familiar, ZMK is a wireless-focused firmware, and it powers our Corne Wireless.
Ok somehow changing the USB cable worked BUT it was working with the USB cable that’s now not working