› How To › Update your router's rmware

How to update your router’s rmware in a few

simple steps
by Milan Stanojevic
April 3, 2020 1 Comment
Deputy Editor

Download PDF Af liate Disclosure

As long as your router keeps you connected, chances are you don’t give much
thought to updating it regularly.

Turn this into a habit and make sure that you always get the strongest signal,
optimal performance, and enhanced security. The below procedure will show
you how simple it is to update your router's rmware in no time.

You should also keep in mind that there are bene ts to updating all your devices.
Windows 10 is getting better at updating devices and its Windows Updates
service automatically installs important updates on your PC as they become
available.

If you want to get the most out of your router, just visit our Tech Tutorials Hub
and you won’t be disappointed.
To x various PC problems, we recommend Restoro PC Repair Tool: Ad

This software will repair common computer errors, protect you from le loss, malware,
hardware failure and optimize your PC for maximum performance. Fix PC issues and
remove viruses now in 3 easy steps:

1. Download Restoro PC Repair Tool rated Great on TrustPilot.com.

2. Click Start Scan to nd Windows issues that could be causing PC problems.
3. Click Repair All to x issues with Patented Technologies (patent available here).
Restoro has been downloaded by 96,115 readers this week.

Almost every hardware device has software that is embedded in the device itself. This
software controls how your device behaves and it allows you to con gure it.

New versions of rmware often bring new features and security xes, so it’s
important to keep your rmware up to date.

We already explained how to update BIOS in one of our older articles, and today we’ll
show you how to update the router rmware.
How can I update my router‘s rmware on Windows 10? The quickest way is to
update it automatically. Some of the newer routers have the Automatically update
rmware option.

If that’s not the case, download the latest rmware from your router manufacturer’s
o cial site, unzip it, and then proceed with the update from the router settings.

To nd out how to do that, check the guide below.

Steps to update a router’s rmware by

manufacturer
1. Access and update a router in general

Before you can update your router rmware, you need to access your router. To do
that, you need to enter a speci c address in your browser.

Most routers will have this address along with the login details available in the
instruction manual, so we strongly suggest that you check it out. You can also nd this
address manually by following these steps:

1. Press Windows Key + X keyboard shortcut to open the Win + X menu. Select
Network Connections from the menu.
2. Network & Internet window will now appear. Under your connection, click on
Change connection proprieties.
3. Then scroll all the way down and you will see a Proprieties section.
4. Locate the IPv4 DNS server and memorize the IP address.
 Windows key is not working on Windows 10? Check this useful guide and set
things right once again.

After obtaining the router’s IP address, you can use it to log in to your router and
update its rmware. To update your router rmware, do the following:

1. Connect to your router using the Ethernet cable. This step isn’t mandatory, but
it’s highly recommended to establish a stable connection with your router in
order to avoid causing any damage during the update process.
2. Open your web browser.
3. In the address bar enter the IP address of your router.
4. Now you’ll be asked to enter a username and password. You can nd the login
information in your router’s manual. You can also nd the login information for
your router online from third-party sources.
5. Once you log in, you need to locate the Firmware or Router Upgrade option.
Usually, you can nd this option in Administration, Utilities , or Maintenance
 section. Keep in mind that the location of this option can vary depending on the
router model.
6. Once you locate this section, you should see the current version of your
rmware as well as its release date.
7. Now you need to visit your router manufacturer’s website and navigate to the
Support section. Locate your router model and check if any rmware updates
are available. If so, be sure to download them. Some routers have a built-in
option that will take you directly to the manufacturer’s website and allow you to
download rmware updates for your router.
8. After you download a router update, extract it to your Desktop or any other
folder on your PC.
9. In the Update section of your router, there should be a Browse or Choose File
button available. Click the button and locate the router update le on your PC.
Select the le by double-clicking it.
10. After choosing the update le, start the upgrade process.
11. Wait for the process to nish. Keep in mind that the update process can take a
few minutes, so be sure to wait patiently and not interrupt the process.
Interrupting the upgrade process can cause irreversible damage to your router,
so use extra caution.
12. After the update process is complete, your router will restart and you’ll have the
new rmware installed.

We have to mention that the rmware update process can sometimes fail, and if that
happens, you need to reset your router. To do that, log in to your router and locate
the Factory Defaults section.

Click the Restore button and wait while your router resets. If you can’t access your
router, you can also reset it by holding the Reset button on the router.

This button is usually located on the back, and you just need to press and hold it for
ten or more seconds to reset the router. After your router resets, you’ll need to
con gure your settings and wireless networks again.

We have to mention that some routers can perform rmware updates automatically,
so you don’t have to download any updates or install them manually.

2. Update the rmware of a Netgearrouter

If you own a Netgear router, you can update your rmware by following these steps:

1. Open your web browser and navigate to https://www.routerlogin.net.

2. Enter admin as username and password as the password.
3. Once you access your router settings, go to ADVANCED > Administration.
4. Choose the Firmware Update or Router Update button.
5. Click the Check button. The router will now check for available updates. If
updates are available, you’ll be asked to download them.
6. Click the Yes button to download and install the updates. Make sure that you
don’t interrupt the upgrade process in any way. Don’t close your browser, open
any pages, or perform any Internet-related activity. The update process can take
about 5 minutes, so be patient.
7. After the update process is completed, your router will restart.

Remove PC Errors
Run a PC Scan with Restoro Repair Tool to nd errors causing
security problems and slowdowns. After the scan is complete,
Fix PC Errors
 the repair process will replace damaged les with fresh
Windows les and components.

Disclaimer: to remove errors, you need to upgrade to a paid plan.

As you can see, updating rmware on the Netgear router is quite simple since you
can download and install it automatically.

If you can’t download the update automatically, you can install it manually by
following these steps:

1. Visit NETGEAR Download Center, enter your router’s model and download the
latest rmware for your router.
2. Now log in to your router by following steps 1-4 from above.
3. Once you log in, click the Choose File or Browse button.
4. Locate the update le and select it.
5. The update process will now start, so be sure not to interrupt it.

Netgear routers also support rmware upgrade using the NETGEAR desktop genie
software. To update your router’s rmware using this software, follow these steps:

1. Start NETGEAR desktop genie software and click Router Settings.

2. When the login screen appears, enter admin as username and password as the
password.
3. Now click the right arrow in the upper right corner and choose the Router
Update tab.
4. Click Router Update > Next. The application will now check for available
rmware updates.
5. If a new version of rmware is available, you’ll get the con rmation message.
Click OK to download and install the new rmware.
6. Wait patiently for the update process to nish and don’t interrupt it.

3. Update the rmware of a Linksys router

Updating the rmware on a Linksys router is quite simple. In order to perform the
update safely, we advise you to connect your PC to your router using Ethernet cable.
To update the router rmware, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Linksys Support Site. Enter the model of your router and check if there’s
a rmware update available. If so, download the update le.
2. Open your web browser and enter 192.168.1.1 in the address bar. Press Enter.
3. When the login screen appears, enter admin as username and leave the
password eld blank.
4. Once you log in, click on Administration > Firmware Upgrade.
5. Now click the Browse button.
6. Select the downloaded update le and double click it.
7. Click the Start Upgrade button.
8. Now the progress bar will appear. Wait for the process to complete and don’t
interrupt it. To make sure that the upgrade process is successful, don’t open any
new pages or perform any Internet-related activity.

4. Update the rmware of a D-Link router

Updating rmware on a D-Link router is rather simple, and you can update it by
following these steps:

1. Download the latest rmware update for your router from D-Link’s support page.
2. After downloading the le, unzip it and save it on a location that you can easily
access.
3. Open your web browser and enter 192.168.1.1 in the address bar.
4. When the login screen appears, enter admin as username and password.
5. Once you log in, go to the Tools tab and select the Update Gateway option.
6. Click the Browse button and look for the update le from Step 2.
7. Once you locate the le, double click it.
8. Now click the Update Gateway button.
9. Wait patiently for the update to complete. Don’t interrupt the update and don’t
close or open any tabs.
10. After the update process is nished, the router will restart itself. In some cases,
you need to reset your router before you can use it. To do that, press and hold
the Reset button on the back of your router for 10 seconds. Keep in mind that
you’ll need to con gure your settings again after performing the reset.

Need more help to x problems with Wireless N Routers in Windows 10? We’ve
prepared a detailed guide just for that.
5. Update the rmware of a TP-Link router

Before you update the rmware of your TP-Link router, you need to check its model
and hardware version. To do that, simply check the label on the back of your device
and you’ll see the model of your router as well as the hardware version.

In addition, we also advise you to connect your PC to your router using the Ethernet
cable in order to ensure that your connection is stable. To update the router
rmware, do the following:

1. Visit TP-Link’s website and look for your model in the Support section. Be sure to
select the correct hardware version and model. If you download and install
rmware for a wrong model you’ll cause damage to your router, therefore be
extra cautious. Once you nd your router model, download the latest rmware
for it.
2. The rmware will come in a zip le. Extract the rmware le to a safe location.
3. Open your web browser and access 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1 or
http://tplinkwi .net. Keep in mind that this address can vary depending on
your router model. To see the correct address you can always check the label on
the bottom side of your router.

4. When the login window appears, enter admin as username and password.
5. After you log in, click Advanced and then on the left side-list System Tools >
Firmware Upgrade.
6. Click Browse or Choose File button and locate the rmware update le. Select
the le by double-clicking it.

7. Now click the Upgrade button to start the update process.

8. Wait for the process to complete, and be sure not to interrupt it in any way.
Interrupting the update will cause permanent damage to your router, so be
careful.
9. After the update is nished, your router might be restored to factory settings, so
you’ll have to recon gure it again.
As you can see, updating a router’s rmware is relatively simple, and newer routers
can automatically download and install the rmware updates.

We have to mention that upgrading rmware brings new features and improvements,
but it can also permanently damage your router if you’re not careful.

Although rmware updates can sometimes x network related issues, we advise you
to perform a rmware update as a last resort.

If you have any more questions on how to update a router’s rmware on Windows 10,
don’t hesitate to drop them in the comments section below.

FAQ: Learn more about updating your router rmware

How do I update my router rmware without Internet?

You normally do so automatically, through a webpage. The procedure may also be

completed without an Internet connection, so use this guide on how to update your
router’s rmware.

Should you update router rmware?

Yes, you should regularly update router rmware to get the latest xes and security
improvements.

What is the average life of a wireless router?

While a wireless router should last inde nitely, consumer models are usually replaced
every ve years if not even sooner.

Still having issues? Fix them with this tool:

This software will repair common computer errors, protect you from le loss,
malware, hardware failure and optimize your PC for maximum performance. Fix PC
issues and remove viruses now in 3 easy steps:

1. Download this PC Repair Tool rated Great on TrustPilot.com.

2. Click Start Scan to nd Windows issues that could be causing PC problems.
3. Click Repair All to x issues with Patented Technologies (Exclusive Discount for
our readers).
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in June 2019 and has been since
revamped and updated in April 2020 for freshness, accuracy, and
comprehensiveness.

Related articles

Comcast packet loss: How to check and x it? 5 Best Port Forwarding software [Windows &
Mac]

What is pathping? How to use it for network Best 802.11ac Wireless router available on the
troubleshooting market

Was this page helpful? Yes No

FIRMWARE UPDATE NETGEAR ROUTER GUIDES WINDOWS 10 GUIDES

Load comments
 May 27, 2020 May 22, 2020

Best DD-WRT routers [List curated by Orbi default password [Complete guide
Pros] to recover/reset]

by Milan Stanojevic by Tashreef Shareef

May 20, 2020 May 20, 2020

5 Best VPNs for Fios routers that 5 best VPNs for Google Nest Wi-Fi
provide data safety

by Teodor Nechita
by Milan Stanojevic
Subscribe for massive software discounts

Email Address subscribe

I agree with the Privacy Policy regarding my personal data

FOLLOW US ON:

Let's keep in touch!

About our team & mission

Join us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy

Copyright © Windows Report 2020

Not associated with Microsoft