How to Update Firmware on My Router

Like our other devices, routers take software that occasionally needs updates equally well to
offer improved security
and compatibility, and even provide new features for users. To exercise this, the router needs a firmware update, and that requires a petty work. If it’south been several years since you’ve checked for router updates or you heard most a contempo update/fix for your router line, it’s time to take action. Here’south what y’all need to exercise.

Tip: Cheque for app updates and automatic downloads

Newer routers often make things easier by connecting to the cloud for important updates and automatically downloading upgrades for firmware. If you accept an app to manage your router, open information technology and look for an update choice.

Netgear’s Nighthawk app is a adept example of this: You can log in, click on your router icon, and choose
Check for Updates. This volition allow yous to quickly check and update your firmware without needing to follow the steps beneath. If your router app allows you to enable automatic updates, this is besides a good idea.

Step i: Visit your router provider’due south website and find your model

To manually update firmware, you volition need to commencement by downloading the latest firmware file. To help with that, major router brands have support webpages. We’re going to start by showing Netgear routers and
the Netgear support folio
because it’south laid out very clearly, but other router brands follow very like processes. Hither’s the
Linksys support folio
and the
TP-Link download page
if you need them.

Read: Virustotal's Firmware Tool Is the Ability to Dump Your Own Bios Firmware

On the back up page, select
Wi-fi Routers, then select from the router line you have. For instance, permit’south cull the
Nighthawk Air conditioning Routers
category.

Adjacent, select your specific router model. It’southward a good thought to take your router on manus to wait for the model number if necessary. Notation that some models may also accept different versions, so you lot will need to cull the correct version likewise (TP-Link routers can be more guilty of this than others). Using the wrong firmware for your model or version could crusade serious issues.

Step ii: Download the latest firmware update file

The firmware download option for Netgear routers.

With the correct model chosen, wait for the download pick or window to run across where your firmware files are. Here, we navigate to the
Firmware and Software Downloads
department, and we tin can quickly find the
Firmware Version i.2.0.76. Select this, and select
Download
to install it on your local hard drive.

Again, the procedure volition look different for every router provider, merely well-nigh do have some type of dropdown list to look for the firmware file. Unless you’re rolling back to previous settings (non common for router software), you’ll want to choose the newest firmware file for your model.

Step iii: Connect your router to your computer via Ethernet

Yous tin’t update your router firmware via the Wi-Fi that your router is producing. Y’all’ll need a wired connexion to the figurer you are using, which means connecting an Ethernet cable from the router to your computer. This as well ways that the best device for updating your firmware is usually a laptop.

Read: Galaxy Tab 3 Failed to Update Firmware

Step 4: Launch your router settings page if necessary

Hither your experience may diverge a little. If you are using one of the newer Netgear firmware files, all you have to exercise is unzip and open it. When the file opens and begins running, it will take the atomic number 82 and navigate y’all through the necessary steps for updating the firmware.

Nonetheless, other router brands may prefer you log into your administrator settings for the router and initiate the update yourself. To start this process, open your web browser and navigate to your router settings. If you need help accessing them, yous tin can find out how to
admission your router admin page in this guide.

Now you will have to log in with your router settings username and countersign. This is non the same matter as your Wi-Fi network login information. It’south typically gear up to
admin
and
password for each field or a like selection that you tin find on the back of your router, although it’s always a adept idea to modify it for security reasons,
something y’all may have done the first time setting up.

Step v: Start the firmware update

Browsing for the firmware file on a computer.

At present use your settings page to start the firmware update. Look for an option that says
Firmware
or
Firmware Upgrade. Sometimes this is found in a
Organisation Tools
section, sometimes in an
Ambassador
section, and sometimes in an
Update orMaintenance
section. Look around, and you will be able to detect it presently.

Once you find the
Firmware
pick, select it. This should bring you to a carte where yous will see an option to
Choose File
or
Scan
your local files. Select this, so navigate to your recent downloads or search for your firmware file by proper name.

Read: How to Update Firmware for the C3000-100nas

The upgrade button for firmware updates on TP-Link's website.

Select your firmware file, and then choose the
Upgrade
selection. Let the upgrade progress until it’s completed; this volition take at least a few minutes.

After the firmware is fully updated, there’s a chance that your router will revert to mill settings. If this happens, yous will desire to spend some more than fourth dimension in your router settings webpage to tweak settings dorsum to where y’all had them, or run through the setup process once again to go everything in working order.