How to Update your Router’s Firmware?

Routers act as a link for transferring packets between your device and the network servers. So keeping its firmware up to date is essential if you want to protect your system against any possible network threats. Big institutes like hospitals and colleges are always in danger of being attacked by ransomware these days. So having the updated firmware in your routers is the least that you can do to ensure security.

Every firmware update brings new patches to fix the bugs and glitches in the previous firmware. This firmware is responsible for maintaining the router’s software that controls all the router functions. But updating the firmware on a router is not as simple as updating just another program on a computer. There are different steps involved in it, and depending on your router’s manufacturer, some steps would be different. So to help you out, we have compiled this guide to mention the steps one needs to take to update the firmware on their router. Without any further ado, let’s get into it.

How to Update your Router's Firmware?

How to update the Router Firmware?

Before you go ahead with the process, you need to make sure that you have the minimum requirements for the process. This includes an active Internet connection, an Ethernet cable, your login credentials, and a computer.

How to update the firmware on a router in general?

Properly connect your computer to the router using the Ethernet cable. Ensure that the connection is stable, or your router may run into problems if the connection is broken during the update.

Open up a browser on your computer.
Enter the IP address of your router that you noted down before into the address bar of the web browser.
A page will show up asking for a username and password. You will find this information in the router manual that you got when you purchased the router.
Once you log in, get into the Firmware or Router update section.
Here, you will see the firmware version that is currently installed on your computer.
Now, open up a new tab in your web browser. Here, visit your router manufacturer’s website and go to the support section.
Here, find your router model and the firmware update that was last released for it. If you see that your current firmware version is lower than what is available on your manufacturer’s website, download that update on your computer.
The update should come in a zip folder. Extract that folder in any location of your computer that you prefer.
Go back to the previous tab where you had the router update opened up.
Here, you will see a browse or choose the file option. Click on it and choose the file that you just downloaded on your computer.
Then start the update process and wait for it to complete. Make sure there are no interruptions during the installation.
After the update is installed, restart your router, and it will run in the latest firmware that you just installed.

You don’t need to go through this process of downloading the firmware update manually for some routers. You can download and install it directly from your manufacturer’s website. Below we have mentioned the update process for four different routers. If you have any of these routers, you can use the methods mentioned below to update the router’s firmware directly.

Caution!

Ensure that your firmware update is not interrupted during the installation. With improper firmware installation, if you try using the router again, it may start malfunctioning.

How to update the firmware on a Linksys router?

Let’s see how we can update the firmware on a Linksys router directly. But before going ahead with the process, properly connect your computer to the router using the Ethernet cable. Ensure that the connection is stable, or your router may run into problems if the connection is broken during the update.

Open up your web browser and visit Linksys support site.
Select the model for your router and download the firmware update that is available for download. Then save the download to any folder on your computer.
Now, enter the IP address of your router that you noted down before into the address bar of the web browser.
A page will show up asking for a username and password. Enter “admin” as username and leave the password field blank.
Navigate to Administration > Firmware Upgrade.
Click on the Browse button and select the update file that you downloaded a while ago.
Then click on the Start Upgrade button.
Now, wait for the update process to complete. Make sure there are no interruptions during the installation.

How to update the firmware on a D-Link router?

Now, let’s see how we can update the firmware on a D-Link router directly. But before going ahead with the process, properly connect your computer to the router using the Ethernet cable. Ensure that the connection is stable, or your router may run into problems if the connection is broken during the update.

Open up your web browser and visit the D-Link support page.
Select the model for your router and download the firmware update that is available for download. Then unzip the download and save it to any folder on your computer.
Now, enter the IP address of your router that you noted down before into the address bar of the web browser.
A page will show up asking for a username and password. Enter “admin” in both the username and password fields.
Navigate to Tools > Update Gateway.
Click on the Browse button and select the update file that you downloaded a while ago.
Then click on the Update Gateway button.
Now, wait for the update process to complete. Make sure there are no interruptions during the installation.

How to update the firmware on a Netgear router?

Now, let’s see how we can update the firmware on a Netgear router directly. But before going ahead with the process, properly connect your computer to the router using the Ethernet cable. Ensure that the connection is stable, or your router may run into problems if the connection is broken during the update.

Open up your web browser and go to https://www.routerlogin.net.
Enter your username and password to log in. You will find this information in the router manual that you got when you purchased the router.
Now access your router’s settings by navigating to ADVANCED > Administration.
Click on the Router or Firmware update button.
Then click on the check update button. If there is any available update, you will be asked to download it,
Then download and install the pending update on your computer. Make sure there are no interruptions during the installation.
After the update is installed, your router will restart, and it will run in the latest firmware that you just installed.

How to update the firmware on a TP-Link router?

Finally, let’s see how we can update the firmware on a TP-Link router directly. But before going ahead with the process, properly connect your computer to the router using the Ethernet cable. Ensure that the connection is stable, or your router may run into problems if the connection is broken during the update.

Open up your web browser and visit the TP-Link support page.
Select the model for your router and download the firmware update that is available for download. Then unzip the download and save it to any folder on your computer.
Open up your web browser and go to http://tplinkwifi.net.
A page will show up asking for a username and password. Enter “admin” in both the username and password fields.
Now, navigate to Advanced > System Tools > Firmware Upgrade.
Click on the Browse button and select the update file that you downloaded a while ago.
Then click on the Upgrade button.
Now, wait for the update process to complete. Make sure there are no interruptions during the installation.

So this is how you can update the firmware on your router. If you have any questions or queries about this article, then comment below, and we will get back to you. Also, be sure to check out our other articles on iPhone tips and tricks, Android tips and tricks, PC tips and tricks, and much more for more helpful information.