Should I Update My Router Firmware

Your router is like a gate that protects all your WiFi your devices from hackers. Nevertheless, your router tin't block new threats unless you keep its firmware up to engagement. Here's how to update your router to heighten the performance of all your devices and amend your dwelling security.

How to Update Your Router

To update your router'southward firmware, blazon your router's IP address into your web browser and enter your login information. Then locate the Firmware or Update section and download the latest firmware update on your router manufacturer's website. Finally, upload the update and reboot the router.

Annotation: Your figurer must be connected to your router'southward network. Yous won't be able to access your router's settings if you are outside of your router's WiFi network.

Type your routers IP accost into the search bar of any web browser. If you don't know what your router's IP address is, bank check out our article on how to notice your router's IP address.
Note: If you see a screen that warns you about your connexion, you tin can click Continue or Advanced > Proceed.
Enter your username and password. If this is your get-go time logging into your router, you can find the log-in information in your router's manual or on the router itself.
Annotation: If yous don't think your router'due south username and password, you can reset your router and employ the default login information. To find out more than, check out our article on how to log into your router and change its password.
Locate the Firmware or Update section. This can ordinarily be found in the Avant-garde, Assistants, or Management section. The location of this can vary depending on the make and model of your router.
Note: If y'all don't run across this section, make certain to bank check your manufacturer's website for steps specific to the brand and model of your router. Some routers also get firmware updates automatically, so you might not be able to update it manually.
Go to your router manufacturer's website. You tin simply search for your router's model number to detect the firmware update files.
Download the firmware update file. This is oft contained in a ".Zero" file, which is a compressed folder containing i or more files. Make sure you're downloading the firmware update that is specifically for your router model.
Extract the file and move it to your desktop. Since the files come in a ZIP file, yous will have to extract information technology, meaning yous will move the files from the compressed folder to an alternate location. Open up the ZIP file and excerpt the firmware files out.
Note: If you don't know how to excerpt a Zip file, check out our article on how to open up a Cipher file on a Mac or PC here.
In the Update section, click on Cull File or Scan.
Select the router update file on your desktop. This will commonly exist an image file, and the largest file in the Zip binder yous downloaded.
Start the upgrade process. This can be done by clicking on a button like Update, or it might start automatically.
Expect for the procedure to cease. Note that the update procedure can take a few minutes, and it's important that y'all don't interrupt it. If you unplug or plow off the router, it tin render the device unusable and may cause irreversible damage to your router.
Reboot the router once the firmware has been fully applied. This should happen automatically, only if it doesn't, y'all can manually restart the router by pressing and holding downwards the reset button, which is usually found at the back of the device. Press and concur the button for 10 seconds or more. You should see your lights flicker or plough off and on.