How and why to update the router's firmware

If you haven't looked into your router's settings in years, chances are that the manufacturer released a firmware update for it during this time. And you should not neglect its installation: you will receive several useful benefits and secure your network. Fortunately, this is not so difficult to do.

Why update router firmware

Increased security

Perhaps the main reason you need to update your router's firmware is to maintain security. Security holes are often found in router firmware, and if left unpatched, your computer will be more vulnerable to viruses and other Internet dangers.

Discovering new features

Router manufacturers can add useful features to their devices through updates. For example, you may find the emergence of parental controls, support for the "repeater" mode, or other innovations.

Performance improvement

Finally, a good reason to upgrade your router's firmware is to increase its speed. The new version can be better optimized, and after installing it, the internet speed will slightly increase.

How to update the router firmware

The newest routers can be updated both automatically and at the request of the user through the mobile application. But not all models have such capabilities, so in most cases you will have to perform the process manually. It may differ slightly from router to router, but it is generally similar.

Download firmware

Find out the name of your router - it is written on its body. Then download the firmware file from a trusted source - the manufacturer's website. In our example, the TP ‑ Link router is named TL ‑ WR840N. We open the official website and find the corresponding model there.

How to update the router's firmware: find your router model on the manufacturer's official website

Look for the section "Support", "Downloads", Downloads or Support - this is where the firmware files are contained.

Please note that it is extremely important to install the correct firmware on the router, otherwise it may stop working.

Sometimes it happens that one router model has several so-called hardware versions. Examine the signatures on the body of the device and make sure to download the appropriate firmware.

Go to router settings

When the firmware is loaded to disk, proceed to install it. To do this, open a browser and enter the router's IP into the address bar. Typically, this is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.

If these addresses do not fit, check the documentation for your router for the correct one. When you have entered the numbers you want, press Enter.

Before you will be the panel for entering the settings of the router. Here you need to enter a password and login - most often this is the word admin. Sometimes the combination 1234 is used as a password. If these credentials are not correct, you will have to refer to your router's documentation again.

Login to enter the router settings most often the word admin

Saving parameters

Sometimes, after a firmware update, the router settings are reset to the factory version, and the router cannot connect to the network. Therefore, you need to make a backup copy in advance.

Find the item called "Backup and Recovery", Backup and Recovery or something like that. It is usually found under Advanced, Management, Advanced Settings, or System Tools. Click "Backup", and the router settings will be saved to your disk.

Once the firmware update is complete, you can restore them. Open "Backup and Restore", select the saved file and click "Restore".

Installing the update

Now look for the firmware update option in the settings. Most often it is located in the Advanced, Management, "Advanced Settings" or "System Tools" section - depending on the router model. Select "Software Update".

Now is the time to make sure that the firmware version you downloaded is newer than the one installed. The existing software is displayed in the router settings.

How to update the router's firmware: make sure that the software version you downloaded is newer than the one installed

Now you need to point the router to the downloaded firmware file. If your router is equipped with a USB port, you may need to write the new firmware file to a flash drive and connect the media to the port. But in most cases, it is enough to click on the Open or "Open" button and select the file downloaded from the manufacturer's website on your computer disk.

How to update the router's firmware: click on the Open or "Open" button and select the file downloaded from the manufacturer's website on the disk of your computer

Once you have selected the item you want, click Update or Refresh and wait until the process is complete.

Do not interrupt the process, otherwise the router may fail.

So do not start an update during a thunderstorm or at those times when there are too frequent power outages.

When the process is complete, the router will reboot. This usually happens automatically, but if the router asks, you will have to manually reboot it.