PlayInfoBox

Home /Network /How to Update Your Router's Firmware

How to Update Your Router's Firmware

Router firmware is easy to forget about since it runs quietly in the background, but outdated firmware is one of the more common causes of both security gaps and random connectivity issues.

  1. Understand what firmware is

    Firmware is the built-in software that controls how the router itself operates, separate from the settings you configure, and it needs periodic updates just like an operating system does.

  2. Know why updating matters

    Firmware updates patch security vulnerabilities, fix stability bugs, and sometimes add features or improve performance β€” an old, unpatched router is a common weak point in home network security.

  3. Check your current firmware version

    Log into the router's admin page and look for a firmware or system information section that shows the version currently installed.

  4. Check for an available update

    Many modern routers can check for updates automatically from the admin page or companion app; look for an "Update" or "Check for updates" button in the firmware section.

  5. Run the update and wait for it to finish

    Start the update and avoid turning off the router or disconnecting power until the process fully completes, since interrupting an update can corrupt the firmware.

  6. Confirm the update succeeded and recheck settings

    After the router restarts, log back into the admin page to confirm the new version number, and double-check that your wifi name, password, and other custom settings are still intact.

How often you actually need to check for updates

There is no strict schedule, but checking every few months β€” or turning on automatic updates if the router supports them β€” is enough to stay reasonably current. Security-critical patches sometimes get separate, more urgent notices from the manufacturer when a significant vulnerability is found, so it is worth paying attention to those specifically even between regular check-ins.

What can go wrong during a firmware update, and how to avoid it

The biggest risk is losing power mid-update, which can corrupt the firmware and in rare cases make the router unusable. An unstable connection during a wireless-managed update carries similar risk, and installing firmware from an unofficial source rather than the manufacturer's own site or app introduces security risk of its own. Updating during stable power conditions, over a wired connection where possible, and only with official firmware avoids nearly all of these problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the power goes out during a firmware update?

An interrupted update can corrupt the firmware and, in rare cases, make the router unusable ("bricked"). This is why it is worth updating during stable power conditions and, if possible, over a wired connection rather than wifi.

My router is several years old and no longer shows any firmware updates β€” is that a problem?

Potentially, yes. Manufacturers eventually stop releasing updates for older models, and a router with no more security patches is worth considering replacing, especially if it also no longer supports current wifi security standards.