How to update a router firmware

Updated: 08/31/2020 by Computer Hope
Tip

Make sure you have exhausted all other ideas and recommendations before resorting to a firmware update on your home network router. Router firmware updates may not resolve issues with a computer that cannot connect to your network. However, it could resolve other miscellaneous issues such as problems with UPnP, random disconnects, and other router feature issues.

Tip

You need to enter your router setup to update the router firmware. If you do not know the router username and password, the steps below cannot be completed. For help entering the router setup, see: How to access a home network router setup or console.

Router firmware update screen

All firmware updates should be downloaded through the manufacturer of your router and saved to your computer. With most network routers, the firmware update ends with .bin and should be saved to a place that's easy to remember, like your desktop.

After the file is downloaded, open your router setup and locate the firmware upgrade section. The picture shows an example of the Firmware Upgrade section, listed under Administration, on a Linksys network router.

Point the firmware upgrade section to the firmware file you downloaded earlier and start the upgrade. As should be mentioned on the firmware upgrade page, it is important that the firmware upgrade is not interrupted. Interrupting any firmware update prevents that device from working.