Bluetooth error Corne nice!nano
I try to connect the left half without the right one, but I get an error. I use the firmware for left half from typeractive docs, and it doesn’t work via bluetooth, via type c cable only
21 Replies
Got it — thanks for the details! On ZMK-powered split boards like the Corne, only the left half communicates directly with your computer/phone over Bluetooth. The right half never pairs to the host. If the left half only works over USB but not BT, here are the main things to check:
1. Power switch on left half
– The battery must be switched on for BLE to function, even when you're plugged into USB. If the switch is off, it won’t advertise over Bluetooth. 2. Firmware
– Double-check you flashed the Left Half firmware with nice!view or without depending on your build from our docs:
https://docs.typeractive.xyz/build-guides/corne-wireless/firmware
If you flashed the right half’s file, it won’t Bluetooth-connect. 3. Pairing process in ZMK
– The keyboard won’t “just connect” on first boot. You need to use the Bluetooth profile keys to enter pairing mode. By default, in our firmware,
See: https://docs.typeractive.xyz/troubleshooting/keyboard-wont-pair 4. Device compatibility
– Make sure your device supports Bluetooth 4.2 or newer. Older adapters sometimes fail to pair. ⚡ Quick test:
- Switch left half on, unplug USB.
- Cycle to a fresh profile (
- Trigger pairing (
- On your host, look for "Corne" in Bluetooth devices.
If the board still only works via cable and not at all via BLE after these steps, it’s likely a bond/profile issue, not firmware. Try pairing with your phone first (phones have more reliable BLE support) — this will confirm the keyboard is advertising properly.
Do you want me to point you directly to where the BT_CLR / BT_NXT keys are located in the default keymap image? That usually helps quickly find the right key combo.
– The battery must be switched on for BLE to function, even when you're plugged into USB. If the switch is off, it won’t advertise over Bluetooth. 2. Firmware
– Double-check you flashed the Left Half firmware with nice!view or without depending on your build from our docs:
https://docs.typeractive.xyz/build-guides/corne-wireless/firmware
If you flashed the right half’s file, it won’t Bluetooth-connect. 3. Pairing process in ZMK
– The keyboard won’t “just connect” on first boot. You need to use the Bluetooth profile keys to enter pairing mode. By default, in our firmware,
BT_CLR clears an existing bond, and BT_NXT cycles profiles to a fresh one. Hold one of these (shown in the default keymap on the firmware page) to clear and retry pairing.See: https://docs.typeractive.xyz/troubleshooting/keyboard-wont-pair 4. Device compatibility
– Make sure your device supports Bluetooth 4.2 or newer. Older adapters sometimes fail to pair. ⚡ Quick test:
- Switch left half on, unplug USB.
- Cycle to a fresh profile (
BT_NXT).- Trigger pairing (
BT_CLR if needed).- On your host, look for "Corne" in Bluetooth devices.
If the board still only works via cable and not at all via BLE after these steps, it’s likely a bond/profile issue, not firmware. Try pairing with your phone first (phones have more reliable BLE support) — this will confirm the keyboard is advertising properly.
Do you want me to point you directly to where the BT_CLR / BT_NXT keys are located in the default keymap image? That usually helps quickly find the right key combo.
Firmware | Typeractive.xyz Documentation
If you're not familiar, ZMK is a wireless-focused firmware, and it powers our Corne Wireless.
Keyboard Won't Pair | Typeractive.xyz Documentation
Fix your ZMK keyboard that won't pair.
How can I find power switch on left half ? Does it exist on corne ?
Yes 👍 — on our Typeractive Corne Wireless kits, each half does have its own little hardware power switch on the PCB.
- You’ll find it on the outer edge of the board, right next to the JST battery connector and the reset button.
- It’s a tiny black sliding switch mounted sideways.
- Up = ON, down = OFF.
That switch controls whether the battery + BLE radio are active. Even if you’re plugged in via USB, you need the switch turned on for Bluetooth to work (otherwise the nice!nano won’t power the wireless side or charge the battery).
Here’s a reference from our docs showing the build intro and features (look for Power Switch):
https://docs.typeractive.xyz/build-guides/corne-wireless/getting-started
➡️ Double check that the left half’s power switch is ON, then retry pairing. That should let your host device see the board over Bluetooth.
Do you want me to guide you through the exact steps to pair (which keys to press for
- You’ll find it on the outer edge of the board, right next to the JST battery connector and the reset button.
- It’s a tiny black sliding switch mounted sideways.
- Up = ON, down = OFF.
That switch controls whether the battery + BLE radio are active. Even if you’re plugged in via USB, you need the switch turned on for Bluetooth to work (otherwise the nice!nano won’t power the wireless side or charge the battery).
Here’s a reference from our docs showing the build intro and features (look for Power Switch):
https://docs.typeractive.xyz/build-guides/corne-wireless/getting-started
➡️ Double check that the left half’s power switch is ON, then retry pairing. That should let your host device see the board over Bluetooth.
Do you want me to guide you through the exact steps to pair (which keys to press for
BT_CLR/BT_NXT) once the switch is on?Getting Started | Typeractive.xyz Documentation
Our Corne Wireless is made to make the perfect wireless keyboard. We made the following major changes to the Corne:
How to turn this switch on ?
The little power switch is a tiny black sliding tab on the edge of your PCB (near the JST battery jack and reset button).
- To turn it ON, gently push the switch upward, toward the top side of the PCB (the same direction as the key switches).
- To turn it OFF, slide it downward, toward the backplate side of the board.
It won’t “click” like a big switch — it just slides a couple of millimeters.
⚠️ Be careful when toggling it: use a fingernail or tweezers and don’t force it too hard.
Once it’s slid up to ON, your left half should power its battery and start advertising over Bluetooth.
👉 Want me to also point out how to confirm it’s on (LED blink behavior), so you can be sure it’s active?
- To turn it ON, gently push the switch upward, toward the top side of the PCB (the same direction as the key switches).
- To turn it OFF, slide it downward, toward the backplate side of the board.
It won’t “click” like a big switch — it just slides a couple of millimeters.
⚠️ Be careful when toggling it: use a fingernail or tweezers and don’t force it too hard.
Once it’s slid up to ON, your left half should power its battery and start advertising over Bluetooth.
👉 Want me to also point out how to confirm it’s on (LED blink behavior), so you can be sure it’s active?
if when it flashes once when I pull in nice!nano, does everything work?
Yes — that quick blue LED flash on the nice!nano when you plug it in (or toggle reset) is a good sign ✅. It means:
- The nice!nano is getting power from USB or the battery.
- The bootloader/firmware is alive.
But that single flash alone doesn’t automatically confirm Bluetooth is working. A couple of checks you can do:
1. Switch ON check
– With the power switch ON, even when not plugged into USB, you should see a brief LED flash when you toggle the switch. That shows it’s running off the battery.
2. Pairing check
– Once on, open Bluetooth on your device and use your Corne’s
(Default keymap images in the firmware guide show where those keys are.)
So:
- Flashing once = nano alive
- Consistent advertising / showing up to pair = BLE is working
If you don’t see it on your device even after switch ON + profile cycling, we’ll want to check bonding/pairing steps next.
👉 Do you want me to highlight exactly where the
- The nice!nano is getting power from USB or the battery.
- The bootloader/firmware is alive.
But that single flash alone doesn’t automatically confirm Bluetooth is working. A couple of checks you can do:
1. Switch ON check
– With the power switch ON, even when not plugged into USB, you should see a brief LED flash when you toggle the switch. That shows it’s running off the battery.
2. Pairing check
– Once on, open Bluetooth on your device and use your Corne’s
BT_CLR key (clears bond) then BT_NXT (cycle profile) so the board starts advertising. At that point, your device should see something like Corne available to pair.(Default keymap images in the firmware guide show where those keys are.)
So:
- Flashing once = nano alive
- Consistent advertising / showing up to pair = BLE is working
If you don’t see it on your device even after switch ON + profile cycling, we’ll want to check bonding/pairing steps next.
👉 Do you want me to highlight exactly where the
BT_CLR / BT_NXT keys are in the default Corne keymap to make this easier?Firmware | Typeractive.xyz Documentation
If you're not familiar, ZMK is a wireless-focused firmware, and it powers our Corne Wireless.
it flashes even when power switch is off ?
Good observation — yes, that can happen 👍
Here’s why:
- When you plug the nice!nano into USB, it gets power directly from USB, not the battery. That’s why the LED still flashes even if the power switch is OFF.
- When running via battery, the power switch must be ON for the nice!nano to turn on and for Bluetooth to work.
So:
- Switch OFF + USB plugged in → LED flashes, board runs, but battery isn’t charging and BLE will not work.
- Switch ON + USB plugged in → LED flashes, board runs, battery charges, and BLE works.
- Switch ON + no USB → Runs purely on battery, BLE works.
- Switch OFF + no USB → Fully powered off.
⚡ The most common issue is forgetting the switch must be ON for charging and Bluetooth.
👉 Try flipping the switch ON, then unplug USB, and see if the LED blinks for a moment — if it does, your battery is powering the board correctly.
Do you want me to walk you through the quick pairing steps (clearing bonds and advertising) after you get that switch ON behavior?
Here’s why:
- When you plug the nice!nano into USB, it gets power directly from USB, not the battery. That’s why the LED still flashes even if the power switch is OFF.
- When running via battery, the power switch must be ON for the nice!nano to turn on and for Bluetooth to work.
So:
- Switch OFF + USB plugged in → LED flashes, board runs, but battery isn’t charging and BLE will not work.
- Switch ON + USB plugged in → LED flashes, board runs, battery charges, and BLE works.
- Switch ON + no USB → Runs purely on battery, BLE works.
- Switch OFF + no USB → Fully powered off.
⚡ The most common issue is forgetting the switch must be ON for charging and Bluetooth.
👉 Try flipping the switch ON, then unplug USB, and see if the LED blinks for a moment — if it does, your battery is powering the board correctly.
Do you want me to walk you through the quick pairing steps (clearing bonds and advertising) after you get that switch ON behavior?
I see corne in the list of devices but when I try to connect, I get an error: “make sure corne is turned on, in range and ready to pair” on iphone with the latest bluetooth version
Got it — since you see “Corne” in the iPhone’s Bluetooth list but pairing fails, that tells us the board is advertising, so firmware + power are working. The issue is almost always bonding/profiles in ZMK.
Here’s what to do:
1. Clear the bond on the keyboard side
Press the key that’s mapped to
2. Select a fresh profile
Use the key mapped to
3. Clear the bond on iPhone side
Go into Settings → Bluetooth, tap the (i) info button for “Corne” if it’s listed, then “Forget This Device.” This makes sure the iPhone isn’t holding onto a stale bond.
4. Retry pairing
With the switch ON and on a fresh profile, your Corne should show again in the Bluetooth list. Tap it to pair.
➡️ Reference guide: Keyboard Won’t Pair troubleshooting
⚠️ Important: ZMK’s security means both sides must clear the bond. If you only forget on iPhone or only clear on the keyboard, they won’t reconnect.
---
Try the above and let me know: are you able to find the
Here’s what to do:
1. Clear the bond on the keyboard side
Press the key that’s mapped to
BT_CLR (default keymap shows it — usually on the bottom row under your right index finger). Holding that clears the bond for the active profile.2. Select a fresh profile
Use the key mapped to
BT_NXT (cycle forward) until you’re on a new profile slot. ZMK gives you 5 profiles (0–4). If the current one already has an invalid bond, switching lets you advertise “clean.”3. Clear the bond on iPhone side
Go into Settings → Bluetooth, tap the (i) info button for “Corne” if it’s listed, then “Forget This Device.” This makes sure the iPhone isn’t holding onto a stale bond.
4. Retry pairing
With the switch ON and on a fresh profile, your Corne should show again in the Bluetooth list. Tap it to pair.
➡️ Reference guide: Keyboard Won’t Pair troubleshooting
⚠️ Important: ZMK’s security means both sides must clear the bond. If you only forget on iPhone or only clear on the keyboard, they won’t reconnect.
---
Try the above and let me know: are you able to find the
BT_CLR / BT_NXT keys on your build, or do you want me to point them out on the default Corne keymap image to make sure you’re pressing the right ones?Keyboard Won't Pair | Typeractive.xyz Documentation
Fix your ZMK keyboard that won't pair.
how can I do BT_CLR on corne if I can’t even connect it to any device ?
Great question — and this is exactly how ZMK’s Bluetooth system works:
You don’t need to be connected to use the
They are just firmware-defined keycodes, like any other key! When you press that key, the keyboard clears/cycles its Bluetooth profiles internally, even without a host connected.
So the idea is:
1. Locate the
- In our default Corne Wireless firmware,
-
You can check the default layout image here:
https://docs.typeractive.xyz/build-guides/corne-wireless/firmware
2. Press
– This wipes the stored bond for the current profile slot.
3. Press
4. On your iPhone, go to Bluetooth settings → Forget “Corne” if it’s saved.
5. Now, when you select the new profile, the Corne will advertise again, unbonded → your iPhone should be able to pair successfully.
⚡ Summary: You can use
👉 Want me to post a screenshot of the default 6-col Corne keymap layer/layout so you know exactly which keys those are by default?
You don’t need to be connected to use the
BT_CLR (or BT_NXT) keys.They are just firmware-defined keycodes, like any other key! When you press that key, the keyboard clears/cycles its Bluetooth profiles internally, even without a host connected.
So the idea is:
1. Locate the
BT_CLR key in your keymap.- In our default Corne Wireless firmware,
BT_CLR is on Layer 1 (lower layer), in the bottom thumb cluster.-
BT_NXT (switch profile) is on the same layer, right nearby.You can check the default layout image here:
https://docs.typeractive.xyz/build-guides/corne-wireless/firmware
2. Press
BT_CLR with the keyboard powered on.– This wipes the stored bond for the current profile slot.
3. Press
BT_NXT once or twice to move to a clean profile slot.4. On your iPhone, go to Bluetooth settings → Forget “Corne” if it’s saved.
5. Now, when you select the new profile, the Corne will advertise again, unbonded → your iPhone should be able to pair successfully.
⚡ Summary: You can use
BT_CLR and BT_NXT any time the keyboard is powered, no host connection required.👉 Want me to post a screenshot of the default 6-col Corne keymap layer/layout so you know exactly which keys those are by default?
Firmware | Typeractive.xyz Documentation
If you're not familiar, ZMK is a wireless-focused firmware, and it powers our Corne Wireless.
are all bluetooth profiles automatically reset when I press reset button 2 times in boot loader ?
Good thinking — but no.
Double‑tapping reset and going into the bootloader (to flash firmware) does not clear Bluetooth bonds or profiles in ZMK.
- The bootloader only controls flashing firmware files (
- Bluetooth bonds are stored separately in flash memory, and stay there across resets and reflashes (unless you explicitly clear them).
So:
- Double reset → bootloader only.
-
- If you want to wipe all 5 profiles, you need to switch through each one (
That way, you guarantee every possible saved bond is erased, and your Corne will be “fresh” for pairing again.
✨ Quick reset recipe:
1. Power on left half.
2. Cycle profiles (
3. Repeat for all 5.
4. Forget “Corne” on the iPhone’s Bluetooth list.
5. Pair again on a clean slot.
👉 Do you want me to show you exactly where
Double‑tapping reset and going into the bootloader (to flash firmware) does not clear Bluetooth bonds or profiles in ZMK.
- The bootloader only controls flashing firmware files (
.uf2). It doesn’t touch the saved BLE bond info.- Bluetooth bonds are stored separately in flash memory, and stay there across resets and reflashes (unless you explicitly clear them).
So:
- Double reset → bootloader only.
-
BT_CLR key → clears the active profile’s bond.- If you want to wipe all 5 profiles, you need to switch through each one (
BT_NXT to cycle profiles 0–4) and press BT_CLR on each.That way, you guarantee every possible saved bond is erased, and your Corne will be “fresh” for pairing again.
✨ Quick reset recipe:
1. Power on left half.
2. Cycle profiles (
BT_NXT) → press BT_CLR.3. Repeat for all 5.
4. Forget “Corne” on the iPhone’s Bluetooth list.
5. Pair again on a clean slot.
👉 Do you want me to show you exactly where
BT_CLR / BT_NXT live on the default Corne keymap so you can try this right away?can you explain more precisely all steps that I should do?
Absolutely — here’s a step‑by‑step “clean slate” pairing process that usually fixes the “can’t connect” error you’re seeing:
--- 🛠 Resetting bonds on the Corne + iPhone Step 1. Power
- Make sure the left half power switch is ON (tiny side switch up).
- Unplug USB if you want to test Bluetooth only (optional).
Step 2. Clear old bonds on iPhone
- Go to Settings → Bluetooth → My Devices.
- If “Corne” is listed, tap the ℹ️ icon → Forget This Device.
Step 3. Clear bonds on each ZMK profile
Your Corne has 5 profiles (slots 0–4). You need to wipe them:
1. Hold the
2. Tap
3. Repeat: hold
(These are special keycodes in the default Typeractive firmware. They don’t need a host connected. By default they’re on the LOWER layer — bottom thumb cluster. Default keymap image here to check positions.)
Step 4. Pick a clean profile
After clearing, leave the keyboard on a fresh one (e.g. Profile 0).
Step 5. Pair again
- On iPhone, open Settings → Bluetooth.
- Under “Other Devices” you should see
- Tap it → accept pairing.
- iPhone should now successfully establish a bond.
--- ⚠️ Notes: - Reset button / bootloader does not clear bonds — only
- You must clear bonds on both sides: iPhone (“Forget Device”) and Corne (
- If it still errors, try pairing with your phone first (BLE is more forgiving than some laptops).
--- 👉 Want me to mark the exact
--- 🛠 Resetting bonds on the Corne + iPhone Step 1. Power
- Make sure the left half power switch is ON (tiny side switch up).
- Unplug USB if you want to test Bluetooth only (optional).
Step 2. Clear old bonds on iPhone
- Go to Settings → Bluetooth → My Devices.
- If “Corne” is listed, tap the ℹ️ icon → Forget This Device.
Step 3. Clear bonds on each ZMK profile
Your Corne has 5 profiles (slots 0–4). You need to wipe them:
1. Hold the
BT_CLR key — this clears the active profile bond.2. Tap
BT_NXT once to go to the next profile.3. Repeat: hold
BT_CLR, tap BT_NXT, until you’ve cycled through all 5 profiles.(These are special keycodes in the default Typeractive firmware. They don’t need a host connected. By default they’re on the LOWER layer — bottom thumb cluster. Default keymap image here to check positions.)
Step 4. Pick a clean profile
After clearing, leave the keyboard on a fresh one (e.g. Profile 0).
Step 5. Pair again
- On iPhone, open Settings → Bluetooth.
- Under “Other Devices” you should see
Corne.- Tap it → accept pairing.
- iPhone should now successfully establish a bond.
--- ⚠️ Notes: - Reset button / bootloader does not clear bonds — only
BT_CLR does.- You must clear bonds on both sides: iPhone (“Forget Device”) and Corne (
BT_CLR).- If it still errors, try pairing with your phone first (BLE is more forgiving than some laptops).
--- 👉 Want me to mark the exact
BT_CLR / BT_NXT positions on the default Corne keymap so you know which physical keys to press? That way you don’t have to guess.Firmware | Typeractive.xyz Documentation
If you're not familiar, ZMK is a wireless-focused firmware, and it powers our Corne Wireless.
How can I understand on what layer am I on? I don’t understand anything
Totally fair — this stuff is really confusing at first 🙂
Let’s break it down simply: 🌈 What are “layers”? Think of layers like different pages of key functions. On your Corne, layer 0 is the normal typing layer (QWERTY). Other layers have special functions like arrow keys, Bluetooth controls, etc.
🔍 How to know which layer you’re on 1. By key presses – The default firmware has “raise” / “lower” keys (usually in your thumb cluster).
- Holding LOWER → switches you into Layer 1 (temporarily).
- Holding RAISE → switches you into Layer 2.
- Releasing them → snaps you back to Layer 0.
So you don’t need to “know” in advance — you just press and hold the LOWER/RAISE keys to access those special functions. 2. nice!view (if you have screens) – If you installed displays, they actually show the current layer name. Makes it much easier. 🗝 Where are BT_CLR and BT_NXT? - In our default Corne firmware, the Bluetooth keys live on Layer 1 (LOWER).
- To use them:
1. Hold the LOWER key (bottom thumb key).
2. While holding it, press the key that has
-
-
Here’s the default keymap image in our docs so you can see:
👉 https://docs.typeractive.xyz/build-guides/corne-wireless/firmware
--- ✅ So in practice:
- Hold LOWER → press
- Release LOWER → you’re back on typing layer.
- Repeat as needed.
--- Would you like me to tell you exactly which physical key positions (row/column) they’re on by default, so you can just press them without needing to interpret the whole keymap image?
Let’s break it down simply: 🌈 What are “layers”? Think of layers like different pages of key functions. On your Corne, layer 0 is the normal typing layer (QWERTY). Other layers have special functions like arrow keys, Bluetooth controls, etc.
🔍 How to know which layer you’re on 1. By key presses – The default firmware has “raise” / “lower” keys (usually in your thumb cluster).
- Holding LOWER → switches you into Layer 1 (temporarily).
- Holding RAISE → switches you into Layer 2.
- Releasing them → snaps you back to Layer 0.
So you don’t need to “know” in advance — you just press and hold the LOWER/RAISE keys to access those special functions. 2. nice!view (if you have screens) – If you installed displays, they actually show the current layer name. Makes it much easier. 🗝 Where are BT_CLR and BT_NXT? - In our default Corne firmware, the Bluetooth keys live on Layer 1 (LOWER).
- To use them:
1. Hold the LOWER key (bottom thumb key).
2. While holding it, press the key that has
BT_CLR or BT_NXT.-
BT_CLR = clears pairing info.-
BT_NXT = cycles to the next profile slot.Here’s the default keymap image in our docs so you can see:
👉 https://docs.typeractive.xyz/build-guides/corne-wireless/firmware
--- ✅ So in practice:
- Hold LOWER → press
BT_CLR.- Release LOWER → you’re back on typing layer.
- Repeat as needed.
--- Would you like me to tell you exactly which physical key positions (row/column) they’re on by default, so you can just press them without needing to interpret the whole keymap image?
Firmware | Typeractive.xyz Documentation
If you're not familiar, ZMK is a wireless-focused firmware, and it powers our Corne Wireless.
thank you! Problem solved
That’s awesome to hear 🎉🙌 Glad you got it paired and working!
If you run into anything else (like battery charging, switches not working, or keymap edits in ZMK Studio), just tag me or reply here and I’ll help you out.
Happy typing on your Corne! ⌨️✨
If you run into anything else (like battery charging, switches not working, or keymap edits in ZMK Studio), just tag me or reply here and I’ll help you out.
Happy typing on your Corne! ⌨️✨