How to Import JSON in Wooting: A Complete Guide

Wooting keyboards are built around deep customization, and a big part of that customization lives in JSON files — structured data files that store your lighting profiles, key remapping configurations, and analog settings. Knowing how to import these files correctly into Wootility (Wooting's companion software) lets you load community-made profiles, restore backups, or quickly switch between configurations without rebuilding them from scratch.

What Is a JSON File in the Wooting Ecosystem?

In Wootility, JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) files serve as portable configuration containers. They hold everything from RGB lighting layouts and color animations to keymap assignments and actuation point settings for analog input.

These files are human-readable text, but their real value is machine portability — you can save a configuration on one machine, share it with a friend, download one from the Wooting Discord or Reddit community, and load it directly onto your keyboard without manual re-entry.

JSON imports are used most commonly for:

• Restoring a previous profile backup
• Loading a community-shared lighting or keymap profile
• Transferring settings between computers
• Applying a pre-configured analog setup for a specific game

Where JSON Import Happens: Wootility Overview

All configuration for Wooting keyboards runs through Wootility, the official desktop application available for Windows and macOS. The software organizes your keyboard settings into profiles, and each profile can be exported or imported as a JSON file.

It's worth noting that Wootility has gone through several major versions — Wootility 3 and the newer Wootility 4 (Lekker Edition) for Wooting 60HE and 80HE keyboards. The interface layout differs between versions, though the import logic is similar in both.

Step-by-Step: How to Import a JSON File in Wootility 🎯

1. Open Wootility and Connect Your Keyboard

Launch Wootility and make sure your Wooting keyboard is connected via USB. The software needs an active connection to apply imported profiles to your device.

2. Navigate to the Profile Section

In Wootility, profiles are displayed as tabs or cards depending on your version. Look for your active profile slots — typically represented as numbered profiles (Profile 1, Profile 2, etc.) along the top or side of the interface.

3. Locate the Import Option

Select the profile slot where you want to import the JSON data. Look for a menu icon, three-dot menu, or gear icon associated with that profile slot. This will reveal options including:

• Export Profile (saves current config as JSON)
• Import Profile (loads a JSON file into this slot)

Click Import Profile.

4. Select Your JSON File

A file browser dialog will open. Navigate to wherever your JSON file is saved — your Downloads folder, a USB drive, or a cloud-synced folder. Select the .json file and confirm.

5. Apply and Save to Keyboard

After importing, Wootility will populate the profile with the data from the JSON file. You'll typically see your lighting or keymap changes reflected immediately in the preview. Make sure to save or sync the profile to your keyboard — look for a Save to Keyboard or Apply button. Without this step, the profile exists in software only and won't persist on the device.

Factors That Affect How JSON Import Works

Not every JSON import goes smoothly, and several variables determine the outcome:

Common Import Issues and What Causes Them 🔧

Profile looks blank after import — This usually means a version mismatch. The JSON was built in a different version of Wootility and the data schema doesn't translate cleanly. Try updating Wootility to the latest version before importing.

Keys are mapped incorrectly — Layouts differ between Wooting models. A 60% layout JSON applied to a full-size keyboard will leave unmapped keys, and assignments may shift unpredictably.

Import option is greyed out — This typically happens when no keyboard is detected, or when you're viewing a locked/default profile slot. Ensure your keyboard is connected and you've selected an editable slot.

JSON file won't load at all — The file may be corrupted, incomplete, or not a valid Wootility JSON. Files from non-Wootility sources (for example, QMK configuration files or macOS shortcut automation files) are not compatible — Wootility only accepts its own JSON format.

The Spectrum of Use Cases

How you use JSON import depends heavily on your situation. A competitive FPS player might import a community-optimized analog actuation profile for rapid-fire precision. A keyboard enthusiast might swap RGB animations frequently using saved lighting profiles. Someone setting up a new PC just wants their existing layout restored in under a minute.

Each of these users cares about different fields in that JSON file, runs a different Wootility version, and may be importing from a different source. Whether an import works perfectly, requires tweaking, or fails outright depends on that combination of factors — and how closely the source profile matches your specific hardware and software environment.