Using VIA to Adjust Keyboard Backlight Effects and Colors (QMK Firmware)

How to change your keyboard backlight colors and effects using VIA. I demonstrate using a Keychron Q2 Max but this works for any keyboard that can run open-source QMK firmware (quite a few can).
Popular brands that ship with QMK installed include Keychron, NuPhy and KBDFans. Using VIA is much quicker than manually reflashing your keyboard every time you want to make a backlight change.
📋 Table of Contents:
Intro: 00:00
What is QMK?: 00:17
What is VIA?: 00:27
Compatibility: 01:00
Connecting to VIA: 01:12
JSON definitions: 01:38
Adjusting backlights: 02:15
🔗 Links Mentioned:
VIA:
usevia.app/
QMK:
qmk.fm/
Keychron Firmware:
www.keychron.com/pages/firmware
Keychron Backlight Shortcuts (Q2):
www.keychron.com/blogs/news/q...
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#QMKFirmware #KeyboardCustomization #VIAConfigurator

[@williamworth2746]

can i set individual key color

[@elmariachi5133]

It's so annoying that practically all vendors don't make this clear. VIA can do this, but it of course only works if a keyboard's hardware has individual lighting per key, too. So it's a thing to ask the vendor.

[@bryangofficiel]

Hi i cant see the light bulb icon. What should i do ?

[@chardinson]

Well explained, I can do it on my keyboard, thank you.

[@AnsonAlexander]

Thanks! Thats great to hear, what keyboard are you running?

[@chardinson]

@@AnsonAlexander Keychron S1

[@jsr3075]

Hi Anson , I have a HP EliteBook Folio 1040 G3 laptop and was wondering if i can change the keyboard backlight color using QMK

[@MikailIqmal]

Great guide but I can't find the lightbulb icon, I'm using the GMK81. Is there a fix for that?

[@zoenightshade2768]

Will Keychron JSON file work for my KBD?

[@AnsonAlexander]

I would try to see if you can find the specific JSON file for that keyboard. Try the KBD website. If not, you can try a Keychron one but any KBD JSON file would probably get you further.

[@ItsameDio]

is there a way to set individual colors? or even set up a wave with just 3 colors?

[@1BaumHeld]

Had the same question. I exspected since old logitech keyboard can do that, higher quality keyboards should also have this feature, but it doesn*t seem like it.

[@ItsameDio]

@@1BaumHeld right! My corsair I've had for 4 years can and my 7 year old logitech has customization. Just odd that these higher end ones can't do it for some reason

[@naveedsultan2147]

love from pakistan 🔥♥️

[@AnsonAlexander]

Thanks :D