In the same way as any other device, the router should be regularly updated. Doing so will not only improve Internet performance but also enhance the security of your devices. So, how to update router firmware? Continue reading our article to find out how to keep your network connection strong and safe.
How to Update Router Firmware
To update your router’s firmware, type in your router’s IP address in the URL bar of your web browser and login into the router configuration page with a suitable username and password. Then, locate the Firmware Update section on the menu and click to download the latest upgrade. Once you upload the update, it is required to reboot the router.
Router Update
Let’s get into details about how to update router firmware quickly and successfully.
Step 1. IP address
To be able to update the firmware, you need to know the IP address of your router. It is also important to ensure that the router is connected to Ethernet, as some routers don’t enable access to the configuration page if you are not connected to the network.
Step 2. Configuration page
The next step is to enter the IP address on the URL bar on the window browser and enter the login information in order to get access to the configuration page. That said, if you don’t have this information, you can look them up on your router or its manual. If that doesn’t work, what you can also do is try entering “admin” as a username and password.
When the configuration page opens, you will notice a menu, and on there, you will need to locate the Firmware Update section. Generally, this can be found in the Advanced, Administration, or Management section, depending on the router’s model.
Step 4. Check for updates
The following step is to click on the “Check” button to see if there are any updates that are available. If there is one, click to download the firmware update, which is often in the form of a ZIP file. However, it is necessary to ensure that you are downloading an update that is suitable for your router model.
Step 5. Update section
After you extract the file, head to the Update section and click “Choose File”. Select the previously downloaded Firmware file and begin the upgrade process. An important thing to note is that the update process can take up to a couple of minutes, and it is essential not to click on anything to interrupt it.
Step 6. Router reboot
Once everything is settled and the Firmware update is applied, the router will start rebooting automatically. However, if your router doesn’t do so, you can restart it by pressing the restart button. After the process is completed, your Internet will be up to date with the latest updates.
Update Your Router Firmware Without Internet
As we have mentioned, to be able to configure your router and make an update, most routers require an Internet connection. Still, updating router firmware without the Internet is possible, but you will need to download the update manually and install it from the configuration page. If accessing this page is not possible, you will need to reset the router and check its settings.
Why Do You Need to Upgrade Router Firmware?
The router keeps all of the devices connected to the Internet, so it is necessary to be up to date in order to work properly. Such firmware update generally improves Internet performance but also fixes security bugs and vulnerabilities detected in the current firmware.
Updating router firmware is important for a fast and safe Internet connection. Moreover, the router protects your Wi-Fi devices from hackers, which is another reason why it must be up to date and work properly. Such an update can also introduce new useful features and improve your overall Internet experience.
Tips for Updating Router Firmware
Now that we have established how to update router firmware in a quick and easy way let’s look at some tips which you might find very useful.
- To determine whether the router’s firmware is up to date, make sure to check the configuration page regularly
- When the update is in progress, interrupting it and closing the window can cause a lot of issues
- It is essential to be connected with an Ethernet cable when updating and not update wirelessly
- To improve the security, make sure to change the router’s username and password from the default ones
- If the upgrading fails, try restoring your router and upgrading the firmware again or use Firmware Restoration Utility
More on router Firmware update
A very significant thing to mention is that you can also update your Firmware remotely, but you have to make sure that someone is able to reboot the router. Moreover, it is essential to update all of your smart devices to reduce security risks to your network.
If there are any issues with the update, you can try resetting the router to factory default. Additionally, if there are any issues, you can also try plugging the Ethernet cable into your modem or another computer and trying again.
Even though every router is different, the upgrading process is similar. If you are still unsure how to update the Firmware, we recommend checking the router’s manufacturing site and looking for the specific instructions when it comes to your router’s brand and model.
The router’s Firmware is updated on a regular basis to add new features that will improve the router’s performance and enhance security.
Read more: How To Update WiFi Drivers
Conclusion
Upgrading your router Firmware is very important as it works as a shield that is protecting your data. Each update provides benefits and improves the network speed and fixes bugs and glitches that were present in the previous version. In this article, we have provided the necessary information on how to update router Firmware successfully in a couple of steps to improve your router’s overall performance.