How to Update Kinesis 360 (USB version) SmartSet Engine Firmware

By Xah Lee. Date: 2023-07-05.

this is a guide on updating the Firmware for the Kinesis 360 Keyboard (USB version, not the pro version)

Get Current Firmware Version Number

Do a Keyboard Status Report. (Set keyboard to profile 0 by SmartSet+0, then open a text editor, then press SmartSet+Right Shift+Right Ctrl+/)
Write down the firmware version number.

Download the latest version of Advantage360 SmartSet firmware. At https://kinesis-ergo.com/support/kb360/#firmware-updates
Decompress the zip file.
You have the Advantage360 SmartSet firmware. E.g. Adv360_1.0.71_update.upd

Set keyboard to profile 0 by SmartSet+0
Open the keyboard's v-Drive by pressing SmartSet+③ (Indicator LEDs will flash blue while the drive is open).
Go to the "ADV360" removable drive on your computer
Copy the new firmware file to the folder named “firmware” of the v-Drive.
If you have done firmware update previously, move the the old firmware file in the firmware folder e.g. Adv360_1.0.9_update.upd to a backup location on your computer. (🛑 WARNING: do not delete the one named default.)
Eject the "ADV360" drive from your computer. (on Microsoft Windows, go to the drive's icon, right click, select eject.)
Close the v-Drive by pressing SmartSet+③ (Indicator LEDs will flash green four times).
Install firmware by pressing SmartSet+right Ctrl+u . (Indicator LEDs will flash green four times, then the Right-Module module's 3 leds will fash blue in turn. Then the Left-Module module's 3 leds will fash blue in turn.) 🛑 WARNING: after Right-Module module is done, Microsoft may beep to indicate new USB device is ready. Ignore it. Wait for the Left-Module module update. Installation will take a full 45 seconds so do not unplug the keyboard or type on it during this time.
To confirm the update is done, run a Status Report and check the firmware version number. Check both the Left-Module version and Right-Module version.