NocFree Link Changelog
Customize your NocFree keyboard, your way.
Explore the latest firmware updates, improvements, and fixes for your NocFree keyboard and NocFree Link.
Recommended: Update with the NocFree Firmware Care App
We recommend using the app first. It guides you through the update process and reduces the chance of errors when manually dragging firmware files onto your keyboard.
If the app update does not complete successfully, use the manual firmware downloads below. Check the firmware version offered in the app before updating.
Step-by-step update guides
Manual Firmware Downloads
Choose your version and layout.
A complete manual keyboard update uses three files: Left, Right, and Dongle. Keep all three files on the same firmware version.
v2.4.5 Beta Download beta package
v2.4.0 Release Download package
v2.3.0 Choose layout
v2.2.2 Choose layout
v2.2.1 Choose layout
v2.2.0 Choose layout
v2.1.1 Choose layout
v2.1.0 Choose layout
Numpad Firmware
Update your NocFree Numpad.
Numpad firmware is versioned separately. Choose the version you need below.
Fixed
- Keyboard Initialization: Fixed an issue affecting some V2.4.0 users where the keyboard could fail to initialize, resulting in no key input, an “Unknown” firmware/version status, or a keyboard that appears connected but does not respond.
- Possible Cause: Our engineers found that the issue is likely related to the keyboard identity code. In certain environments, Bluetooth pairing data may conflict with or overwrite part of this code when pairing information becomes full or changes, causing identity verification to fail.
Beta Release
This beta has been tested by a small group of users, who reported successful recovery and a smoother typing experience. Testing is ongoing.
After Updating
If Bluetooth does not connect properly after updating, long-press Fn + 1, Fn + 2, or Fn + 3 for the Bluetooth channel you want to use, then pair the keyboard again.
New
- System Battery Display: Added support for viewing the keyboard's remaining battery level directly through the operating system.
- Dongle Pairing Data: Added support for clearing old pairing data while preserving existing pairing information by default.
Improved
- Battery Accuracy: Optimized battery-level calculation to improve inaccurate 1% readings and false low-battery alerts.
- Fast Typing Order: Improved key-order recognition during fast two-handed typing.
- Light-Touch Input: Improved recognition of light key presses to reduce missed, stuck, or repeated inputs.
- Key State Recovery: Strengthened key-state synchronization after recovering from a weak or interrupted wireless signal.
- Wireless Communication: Optimized communication between the left keyboard, right keyboard, and 2.4G dongle.
- Wireless Interference: Optimized channel allocation to reduce same-frequency interference between devices.
- Dongle Recovery: Improved recovery after abnormal dongle startup.
- Overall Responsiveness: Optimized the hardware retry mechanism for faster and more stable response.
Important Note
Backlight Brightness: To extend battery life, the maximum backlight brightness is set to 40% after updating to v2.4.0. This is the intended firmware setting and does not indicate a backlight issue.
New
- 2.4G Key Protection: Added automatic key status checks to help prevent keys from getting stuck if the wireless connection is interrupted.
Improved
- Wireless Stability: Improved the connection between the left and right keyboard halves and the 2.4G dongle.
- Typing Stability: Reduced missed keys, repeated inputs, stuck keys, and input delays during fast typing.
- USB Performance: Improved USB input response and overall stability.
- macOS Compatibility: Improved typing stability when using faster key repeat settings on macOS.
Fixed
- Stuck or Repeating Keys: Fixed several issues that could cause a key to remain pressed or repeat after being released.
- Right-Side Wake-Up: Fixed an issue where the right keyboard half could occasionally fail to wake from sleep.
- LR/MT Keys: Fixed LR/MT key functions not working correctly between the keyboard halves or on the numpad.
- Layer Switching: Fixed an issue where previous key inputs might remain active after switching layers.
Known Issue
Bluetooth Fn + i Shortcut: In Bluetooth mode, Fn + i may not display the firmware version and battery level.
The fix is ready and will be included in the next firmware update.
New
- Firmware Version and Battery Check: Added the Fn + i shortcut to check the device firmware version and battery level.
Improved
- Wired Mode Stability: Improved wired mode stability by enhancing HID report transmission reliability.
-
JP Layout Key Mapping: Updated the default left-hand key mapping for the JP layout to: Ctrl, Alt, MT (Eisu / Cmd), MT (Eisu / Fn), Space.
For MT keys, tapping triggers the first function, while holding triggers the second function.
- Firmware Build Process: Optimized the firmware build process by skipping unnecessary DFU ZIP generation during Arduino builds.
Fixed
- Stuck Key and Key Release Behavior: Fixed an issue where key inputs could occasionally get stuck or fail to release properly.
- UK Layout Space Key: Restored the UK layout’s right Space key to function as a standard Space key.
New
- Japanese / Korean Layout Key Support: Added support for Japanese and Korean layout-specific keys, improving compatibility for JIS and KR layout users.
- Independent 2.4G Transmission for Left Half: Added an independent 2.4G transmission channel for the left keyboard half, improving receiver communication and reducing interruptions during wireless input.
Improved
- Wireless Connection Stability: Improved communication stability between the left and right keyboard halves, helping reduce missed inputs, delayed responses, and right-side unresponsiveness.
- 2.4G Receiver Reliability: Optimized 2.4G receiver communication and error handling for more reliable input performance.
- Bluetooth Input Stability: Improved BLE input handling to reduce input lag, stuck key behavior, and occasional unresponsive input after reconnecting.
- Key Release Detection: Improved key release recognition across Bluetooth and 2.4G modes to reduce the chance of keys feeling “stuck” after being released.
- Wake-Up and Reconnection Behavior: Improved wake-up behavior after sleep or reconnection, helping the keyboard respond more reliably when returning to use.
- Power and Radio Management: Optimized wireless radio behavior to improve stability and reduce conflicts between Bluetooth and 2.4G communication.
Fixed
- Bluetooth Reconnection Input Issue: Fixed an issue where input could become unresponsive or delayed after reconnecting through BLE2 / BLE3.
- Bluetooth Report Loss: Fixed an issue where keyboard or consumer control reports could occasionally be lost after a Bluetooth send failure.
- 2.4G Input Loss: Fixed an issue where single-packet transmission failures could cause missed keystrokes in 2.4G mode.
- Media Key Reliability: Improved multimedia key release behavior to reduce the risk of media keys becoming stuck.
- WebUSB Receiver Commands: Fixed an issue where receiver DFU or re-pairing commands could still return “OK” even when the command failed.
- Accidental Key Press Detection: Reduced the chance of accidental press detection during Bluetooth key testing or wake-up scenarios.
Note for macOS Users
When dragging a firmware file into the NocFree & drive, some macOS users may see a Finder pop-up saying that the operation cannot be completed because certain data could not be read or written. This may appear as Error Code -36.
This may happen during the firmware update process when the device reconnects automatically. Please don’t worry — this does not necessarily mean the update failed.
Please continue dragging all 3 firmware files one by one in the instructed order. After completing all steps, open NocFree Link and check the firmware version.
As long as NocFree Link shows Firmware Version: 2.1.0, your firmware update has been completed successfully.
New
-
MT/LT Dual-Function Keys: Added support for MT/LT dual-function keys, allowing a key to perform different actions when tapped or held.
NocFree Link configuration support for this feature is coming in a future update.
Improved
- Wireless Connection Stability: Improved communication stability between the left and right keyboard halves, reducing right-side unresponsiveness and lighting sync inconsistencies.
- 2.4G Receiver Reliability: Optimized receiver communication and error handling for more reliable 2.4G input.
- Key Wake-Up Response: Improved wake-up behavior to reduce missed or delayed keystrokes.
- Multimedia Key Experience: Fixed multimedia key issues and improved the typing, audio, and playback control experience.
Fixed
- Windows / Mac Layout Switching: Fixed an issue where layout status could display incorrectly after switching between Windows and Mac layouts using Win/Mac + arrow keys.
New
- FN Key Customization: Added full support for remapping FN key functions.
- Backlight Controls: Integrated backlight adjustment options into the key remapping area.
- Pairing Guidance: Added interactive guides for right-hand keyboard and numpad.
Fixed
- Resolved a layer mapping issue in FN Layer Settings.
- Corrected backlight “−” and “+” placement on F5/F6.