How To Update Router Firmware In Few Simple Steps

A router is a device that helps multiple users/devices connect and share an individual Internet connection. The main function of a router is to forward data packets to their intended devices/IP addresses.

Although the router is an important component for LANs and WANs connections, it also comes with many disadvantages. To overcome these difficulties your router needs to perform a regular Firmware update.

How to update the router? What precautions or steps need to be taken to update the router’s firmware? This article will give clear-cut answers to your queries.

Every piece of hardware contains a corresponding software, routers too, contain a special piece of software namely Firmware. But there are some security challenges related to router and router firmware updates and you need to know some of the basic knowledge about them.

• Vulnerability Exploits: 

Like any other piece of software available today, Router Firmwares also contains security vulnerabilities. A master hacker can take full advantage of these loopholes to invade your network and personal privacy. To counter this situation, manufacturers regularly update their firmware and fill the loopholes.

• Better Surfing Experience: 

A router connects multiple devices and shares a common Internet connection. Along with the increase of connected devices, the workload on your router also increases.

The router uses an internal routing table which is a list of paths that determines the locations of different network/device destinations. By upgrading the Firmware version not only you can get rid of security bugs, but you can also get a better signal, new features, a more efficient internal routing table, and optimal performance.

Troubleshooting Update Router Firmware Problems

Now there are some cases where users have to face problems or errors during the update process. One such error is when you opt for an automatic update but fail to upgrade to the latest router firmware version.

Manually downloading and installing the latest version of router firmware from the manufacturer support site can effectively deal with this error. 

Another problem that users face is the failure in the middle of the update process. There are various reasons for which the update can be stopped. For example, your computer isn’t connected to your router with an Ethernet cable and you move out of its effective wireless range or you are doing any type of Internet-related activity during the update process.

Doing so will leave long-lasting damage to your router which can be observed in the subsequent performance of your router’s function. The only way to deal with this problem is to reset your router. Press and hold the Reset button for several seconds until all of the Router LED Lights a Green color.

How To Find A Router’s IP Address?

Find The IP Address From The Networks Connections Window

1. Press the Windows + X combination key.
2. Select the Network Connections option from the Power menu.

3. In the Network connections Windows you will see different connection names including the Router connection. Click on the Properties option under the router connection.
4. Now you can find different information about the router connection such as SSID, Protocol, Security type, IPv4, IPv6, etc. Locate the IPv4 DNS Server and note down the corresponding IP address.

Find The IP Address Using Command Prompt

Alternatively, you can also use the Command Prompt to find out the details of your router connection.

1. Press Windows + R combination key to open the Run dialog box.

2. Enter the keyword “cmd” and click on the Ok option.
3. Now type the keyword “ipconfig” and hit the Enter button.

4. Scroll down the search result and note down the IPv4 address and IPv4 DNS Server address.

How To Access And Update A Router In General?

There are actually two main approaches, following which you can upgrade your Router Firmware- Automatic and Manual firmware update. The step-by-step instructions are given below which you can follow and update your router’s firmware. 

Note: You need to make sure that your router is connected to your computer with an Ethernet cable. A stable and secure connection is important during the update process.

Automatic Approach On “How To Update Router”:

1. Connect your Computer and Router with an Ethernet cable. This is actually a very important part of the update process, you need to make sure the connection is secure and stable before further proceeding with the subsequent steps.
2. Open your default web browser or Google Chrome on your computer.

3. Enter the router’s IP address into the address bar. You can follow the steps given under the section How To Find Router’s IP Address?
4. Log in to the Router’s Web Management page(For users who are trying to log in for the first time, then the “admin” keyword is used to fill both the Username and Password fields).
5. Now, this step is different for different brands of Routers. But generally, you need to find the Upgrade, Firmware Upgrade or Router Firmware options. Usually, you need to navigate to options such as Advanced, Settings, Administration, Management or Connectivity where you can find the Router Update option.
6. Now you can see the Firmware version and its release date along with the Check or Check for Update option. Click on it.
7. If any latest router firmware versions are available online then you will be asked to download them. Click on the Ok or Yes button to start the download.
8. Make sure that the update process isn’t interrupted in any way. The update usually takes 5-10 minutes. After the update is completed your router will restart.

Manual Approach “How To Update Router”:

1. Connect your Computer and Router with an Ethernet cable. This is actually a very important part of the update process, you need to make sure the connection is secure and stable before further proceeding with the subsequent steps.
2. Note down the Router model number. It can be found on the back of your Router’s device.
3. Now visit the Router’s Manufacturer website. For example “support.dlink.com” for D-Link brand routers.
4. Or Google search using “Router brand + model number + firmware download”.
5. Select the latest router firmware version and download it to your computer.
6. Now open or go to your router web management page. To do this you need to enter the Router IP address into the address bar of your default web browser or any other browser such as Google Chrome.
7. Login to the router’s management page using the correct Username and Password. For first-time login or users who didn’t change the default login information, the “admin” keyword is used as both Username and Password.
8. Now, this step is different for different brands of Routers. But generally, you need to find the Upgrade, Firmware Update or Router firmware option. Usually, you need to navigate to options such as Advanced, Settings, Administration, Management or Connectivity where you can find the Firmware Update option.
9. Here in the Firmware Update section, you need to find options such as Browse or Choose File. Click on the option and select the folder where you have downloaded the Latest Firmware Updates.
10. Start the Update process after the file selection is complete.
11. Make sure that the update process isn’t interrupted in any way. 
12. The update usually takes 5-10 minutes. After the update is completed your router will restart and the new router firmware version has been successfully installed.

Firmware Update For Netgear Router

1. First of all, connect your Computer and Router with an Ethernet cable. This is actually a very important part of the update process, you need to make sure the connection is secure and stable before further proceeding with the subsequent steps.
2. Then enter this address “http://www.routerlogin.net” in your web browser.

3. Login using your credentials.
4. If it is the first time that you are trying to log in then both the username and password is “admin”.
5. Click on Advanced or Settings-> Administration.
6. Click on Firmware Update or Router Update.
7. Click on Check.
8. The router will check for the latest updates online and if a new firmware update is available, then you will be asked to download them. Click on Yes to start the download process.
9. Now, wait for the Firmware download and subsequent installation to complete. Moreover, you need to make sure there aren’t any sort of disturbance during the update process or there will be some complications that can do lasting damage to your router performance.
10. The router will restart after the installation of new firmware.

Now if there is any error while doing an automatic firmware upgrade, you can also manually download and install the latest firmware version from the NETGEAR Download Center. The above Steps From 1 to 6 are exactly the same.

In the Firmware Update or Router Update window, click on the Browse or Choose File option and select the downloaded Firmware file. Now click on Update to start the process that will update your router and wait patiently for the installation to complete. 

Update The Firmware For Linksys Router

Update automatically from Router’s Web Management page:

1. Connect your Computer and Router with an Ethernet cable. This is actually a very important part of the update process, you need to make sure the connection is secure and stable before further proceeding with the subsequent steps.
2. Log in to “http://www.myrouter.local”.
3. If you are trying to log in for the first time, then both the username and password is “admin”.
4. On the left pane click on Connectivity-> Firmware Update.

Update the Firmware manually:

1. Connect your Computer and Router with an Ethernet cable. This is actually a very important part of the update process, you need to make sure the connection is secure and stable before further proceeding with the subsequent steps.
2. Open the Linksys Support Site on your Web Browser. 
3. Type your Router’s Model number. It can be found on the back of your router device.

4. Click on Download/Firmware.
5. Select the version you want to download, then click on the Download option.
6. Log in to the “http://www.myrouter.local”.
7. Click on Administration-> Firmware Upgrade.
8. Choose the Firmware version that you have downloaded in the previous steps.
9. Click on the option Start Upgrade.
10. After the process is completed, turn off then turn on your router.

Now during the update process make sure there is no disturbance and internet-related activity.

Update The Firmware For D-Link Router

1. First, note down the model number of your D-link router(It can be found on the back of the router device).
2. Connect your Computer and Router with an Ethernet cable. This is actually a very important part of the update process, you need to make sure the connection is secure and stable before further proceeding with the subsequent steps.
3. Reset the router. In some cases, this step is necessary for D-Link brand routers. To do this you need to press and hold the Reset button on the back of your D-Link router.
4. Open the link “support.dlink.com”.
5. Enter the model number obtained in the first step into the search bar.
6. Click on the picture of your router that is presented on the screen.
7. Select the firmware version and click on the Firmware Download option.
8. Unzip the download Zip file on your computer.
9. Now login to your Router’s web management site i.e “dlinkrouter.local”.
10. For those who are trying to log in for the first time then enter “admin” in the Username and leave the Password field blank.
11. Click on the Tools tab or option.
12. Now click on the Update Gateway option.
13. Browse and select the already downloaded Upgrade file on your computer.
14. Click on Upload or Open to start the update process. Wait for the upgrade to finish.

Update The Firmware For TP-Link Router

1. Connect your Computer and Router with an Ethernet cable. This is actually a very important part of the update process, you need to make sure the connection is secure and stable before further proceeding with the subsequent steps.
2. Note down the Router’s model number located on the back of your Router device.
3. Google search using the keyword “TP-Link <Model Number> firmware update”.

4. Click on the desired result and download the firmware version.
5. Now Log in to the TP Link’s Web management site i.e “tplinkwifi.net”.
6. “Admin” is the default Username and Password used to log in to the Router’s management. It is used as login credentials for the first time.

7. From the left pane of the screen click on System Tools-> Firmware Upgrade.
8. Click on Browse or Choose File and select the Firmware version that you had previously downloaded by double-clicking on it, then click on Upgrade.
9. Now, wait for the Firmware download and subsequent installation to complete. Moreover, you need to make sure there aren’t any sort of disturbance during the update process or there will be some complications that can do lasting damage to your router performance.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)