How Do I Update Router Firmware

Your router is like a gate that protects all your WiFi your devices from hackers. Nonetheless, your router can't block new threats unless y'all keep its firmware upwards to date. Here's how to update your router to heighten the functioning of all your devices and meliorate your abode security.

How to Update Your Router

To update your router's firmware, type your router's IP accost into your web browser and enter your login information. Then locate the Firmware or Update section and download the latest firmware update on your router manufacturer's website. Finally, upload the update and reboot the router.

Notation: Your computer must be connected to your router'due south network. You won't be able to access your router's settings if you are outside of your router'southward WiFi network.

Blazon your routers IP accost into the search bar of any web browser. If yous don't know what your router's IP accost is, bank check out our article on how to discover your router's IP address.
Note: If you see a screen that warns you lot almost your connectedness, you can click Continue or Advanced > Proceed.
Enter your username and password. If this is your start time logging into your router, y'all can discover the log-in information in your router's manual or on the router itself.
Note: If y'all don't think your router'due south username and countersign, you lot can reset your router and use the default login data. To observe out more, bank check out our article on how to log into your router and change its password.
Locate the Firmware or Update section. This can usually be found in the Advanced, Administration, or Management section. The location of this tin can vary depending on the make and model of your router.
Annotation: If yous don't see this section, make sure to check your manufacturer's website for steps specific to the make and model of your router. Some routers besides go firmware updates automatically, then you might not be able to update it manually.
Get to your router manufacturer's website. Yous can simply search for your router'southward model number to notice the firmware update files.
Download the firmware update file. This is often contained in a ".ZIP" file, which is a compressed binder containing ane or more than files. Make sure you're downloading the firmware update that is specifically for your router model.
Extract the file and move it to your desktop. Since the files come in a ZIP file, you will accept to extract it, pregnant y'all will motion the files from the compressed folder to an alternate location. Open up the ZIP file and extract the firmware files out.
Notation: If yous don't know how to extract a Null file, bank check out our article on how to open a ZIP file on a Mac or PC here.
In the Update section, click on Choose File or Browse.
Select the router update file on your desktop. This will usually be an paradigm file, and the largest file in the ZIP folder yous downloaded.
Start the upgrade process. This can be done by clicking on a push button like Update, or information technology might offset automatically.
Wait for the procedure to finish. Note that the update process tin take a few minutes, and it'southward important that you don't interrupt information technology. If you unplug or plow off the router, it can return the device unusable and may cause irreversible damage to your router.
Reboot the router once the firmware has been fully applied. This should happen automatically, simply if information technology doesn't, you tin can manually restart the router past pressing and property down the reset push button, which is usually found at the back of the device. Press and concord the button for 10 seconds or more than. You should see your lights flicker or plough off and on.

If you're not able to update your router's firmware, it might be time to get a new router. Check out our listing of the all-time routers for 2020 here.

Troubleshooting-WiFi