How to Update Router Firmware

To update router firmware, open the router’s phone app or its settings page in a web browser, sign in as the administrator, and find Firmware Update or Firmware Upgrade (often under Advanced, System, or Administration). Select Check, Update, or Upgrade, then leave the router alone until it restarts. Many newer routers and mesh systems install updates on their own.

Warning: do not unplug the router, press its power button, or close the page while an update is running. TP-Link, NETGEAR, ASUS, and Linksys all warn against interrupting the process, because a half-written update can leave the router unusable.

What router firmware is and which routers this covers

Firmware is the software stored inside the router. It runs the Wi-Fi, the security features, and the settings page. Makers release new versions to fix security problems and bugs, and sometimes to add features.

The general steps below apply to most home routers. The brand sections cover TP-Link, NETGEAR, ASUS, Linksys Smart Wi-Fi, eero, and Google Nest Wifi, using each maker’s current support pages. Menu names differ between models and firmware versions, so treat the paths as a guide and look for the closest match on your screen.

Before you start, you need:

• The router’s admin password. This is the password for the settings page or app, not the Wi-Fi password.
• A phone with the router’s app, or a computer connected to the router.
• An Ethernet cable, if you plan to upload a firmware file by hand.
• A few minutes when nobody needs the internet. The connection drops while the router restarts.

Online update or manual update?

There are two ways to install firmware. An online update means the router downloads the new version itself after you select a button. A manual update means you download a file from the maker’s support site on a computer and upload it to the router. Use the online update whenever your router offers it. Keep the manual method for older routers, or for times when the online check fails.

Before you update

• Back up your settings. Most routers can save the configuration to a file. If yours cannot, write down the Wi-Fi name, the passwords, and anything else you changed. Some updates reset the router, and TP-Link says the release notes will mention it when they do.
• Read the release notes. They tell you what the update fixes and whether it resets your settings.
• Use a cable for a manual update. TP-Link says not to upload firmware over Wi-Fi unless the device has no Ethernet port.
• Check the power. Make sure the router’s power adapter is firmly plugged in and nobody is likely to switch it off.

How to update router firmware from the settings page

This is the general method for a router you manage in a web browser.

1. Connect to the router. Use a computer that is plugged into the router with an Ethernet cable if you can. Wi-Fi works for an online update on most models.
2. Find the router’s address. Many brands print a web address on the label, such as tplinkwifi.net, routerlogin.net, or asusrouter.com. Otherwise, on Windows, open Terminal or Command Prompt, type ipconfig, press Enter, and read the Default Gateway line. It is often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. Our guide to finding your IP address on Windows 11 shows where these details appear.
3. Sign in. Type the address into a browser’s address bar and enter the admin password. If the browser shows a search page instead, type http:// before the address.
4. Open the firmware section. Look for Firmware Upgrade, Firmware Update, or Router Update. It is usually under Advanced, System, Administration, or Connectivity. The page also shows the firmware version you have now. Make a note of it.
5. Check for a new version. Select Check, Check for Updates, or the update icon. If the router says no update was found, you already have the latest version and you can stop here.
6. Start the update. Select Upgrade or Update and confirm. Expect a progress bar, then a restart.
7. Wait. The update and restart take a few minutes. The router’s lights may change and your devices will lose the connection for a short time. Do not touch the router until the Wi-Fi comes back.

How to update router firmware manually with a file

Use this method when the settings page has no online check, or when the online update fails.

Warning: firmware made for a different model, hardware version, or region can damage the router. TP-Link notes that the wrong file can also void the warranty, and that its US and EU firmware files are not interchangeable. Download firmware only from the maker’s own support site for your country.

1. Find the model and hardware version. Both are on the label on the bottom or back of the router. On TP-Link devices the hardware version looks like Ver: 1.0. The firmware page in the router’s settings usually shows it too.
2. Download the file. Go to the maker’s support site, open the page for your exact model and hardware version, and download the newest firmware.
3. Extract it. The download is often a ZIP file. On Windows, right-click it and choose Extract All. The firmware itself is usually a single file, often ending in .bin. You do not open that file. The router reads it.
4. Plug in with Ethernet and sign in to the settings page as described above.
5. Upload the file. On the firmware page, select Browse, Choose File, or Upload, pick the extracted file, then select Upgrade and confirm.
6. Wait for the restart. TP-Link says to allow about 3 minutes. Do not disconnect the cable or the power.

Where to find the update on popular brands

These paths come from each maker’s support pages. Your model may show slightly different wording.

Brand	Settings page	App
TP-Link	tplinkwifi.net, then Advanced > System > Firmware Upgrade, or the Update icon at the top right	Tether: More > System > Firmware Update
NETGEAR	routerlogin.net, then ADVANCED > Administration (or Settings > Administration) and Firmware Update or Router Update	Nighthawk app, on supported routers
ASUS	asusrouter.com, then Administration > Firmware Upgrade	ASUS Router: Settings > Firmware Upgrade > Check Firmware Version
Linksys Smart Wi-Fi	Connectivity, then Check for Updates under Firmware Update on the Basic tab	Not covered here
eero	None	eero: Settings > Software updates
Google Nest Wifi	None	Updates are automatic

TP-Link

TP-Link routers that support the company’s cloud service show an Update icon in the upper right corner of the settings page when new firmware exists. Select it, then select Upgrade. In the Tether app, tap More > System > Firmware Update, then Update. Routers without cloud support need the manual file method. TP-Link’s firmware update guide has both sets of steps.

NETGEAR

NETGEAR calls the Nighthawk app the easiest way to update, but not every router works with it. In a browser, go to routerlogin.net, sign in, and select ADVANCED > Administration or Settings > Administration. Select Firmware Update or Router Update, then Check. If new firmware is found, select Yes and then Upgrade. See NETGEAR’s browser update steps.

ASUS

Sign in at asusrouter.com. A message appears in the upper right corner when a new version is available. Select Update now, then Firmware Upgrade. To check yourself, go to Administration > Firmware Upgrade. The same page has an Auto Firmware Upgrade switch and an Upload link for a manual file. ASUS recommends its ASUS Router app for updates and describes all three methods in its firmware update FAQ. That page also recommends restoring factory default settings after an update, which erases your setup, so back up or note your settings first if you plan to follow that advice.

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi

Sign in to the router’s web page and select Connectivity. On the Basic tab, under Firmware Update, select Check for Updates. If an update is found, follow the link to upgrade and select Yes. Linksys says not to close the browser window during the update. The full steps are in Linksys’s firmware update article.

eero

eero systems have no web settings page. Open the eero app, tap Settings, then Software updates. If you see a message that an update is available, tap Install now. All of your eero devices must be online, and the network goes offline briefly while they restart. See how eeroOS updates work.

Google Nest Wifi and Google Wifi

Google says Nest Wifi Pro, Nest Wifi, and Google Wifi devices are updated automatically. You can only view the installed version. In the Google Home app, tap Home, then All devices, touch and hold the Wi-Fi device’s tile, tap Settings, and look under Wi-Fi Information. Google’s View software version page lists the steps.

How to turn on automatic updates

If your router supports automatic updates, turning them on means you do not have to remember to check. The setting sits on the same firmware page as the manual check.

• ASUS: go to Administration > Firmware Upgrade, turn on Auto Firmware Upgrade, and pick a time when nobody uses the network.
• Linksys Smart Wi-Fi: go to Connectivity, check the Automatic box under Firmware Update, and select Apply. Linksys says this is off by default on these routers.
• eero: updates arrive automatically. To choose when, tap Settings > Software updates > Preferred update time.
• Google Nest Wifi: nothing to turn on. Updates are automatic.

To undo this on a router with a switch or checkbox, return to the same page and turn the option off.

Routers from your internet provider

A router or gateway supplied by your internet provider is usually updated by the provider, and the firmware page may be hidden or locked. You normally cannot install firmware from the hardware maker’s site on these devices. Check the provider’s app or support site, or contact the provider if you think the device is out of date.

How to confirm the update worked

Sign in to the router again and open the firmware page. The version number should be higher than the one you noted, and Check should report no newer version. Then confirm your devices reconnect and that the Wi-Fi name and password are unchanged.

If the update reset the router, the Wi-Fi name and password go back to the defaults printed on the label. Connect with those, sign in, and restore the backup file you saved, or enter your settings again.

Can you undo a firmware update? Often not. Many routers do not offer a button to go back, and makers do not always support installing an older version. If a new version causes problems, check the maker’s support site for a newer release or contact its support team before trying anything else.

Troubleshooting

• You cannot find a firmware option. Look under Advanced, System, System Tools, Administration, Maintenance, or Connectivity. If the router is managed only through an app, the option is in the app’s settings. On a provider’s router it may not exist at all.
• The settings page will not open. Make sure the device is connected to that router’s network, not to mobile data or a guest network. Check the address on the label and try the Default Gateway number instead.
• You forgot the admin password. The usual fix is a factory reset, which erases every setting. Check the maker’s support site first. NETGEAR, for example, has a password recovery feature.
• The online check fails or cannot reach the server. Try again later. Linksys notes that its server may be slow or unavailable at times. If it keeps failing, use the manual file method. ASUS gives the same advice.
• The router rejects the file. Recheck the model and hardware version, make sure you extracted the ZIP, and download the file again in case it was damaged.
• No update is offered. The router may already be current. An old model may also have stopped receiving updates. The download page on the maker’s support site shows the date of the last release.
• The update seems stuck. Wait longer than you think you need to. Give it at least 10 minutes before you do anything, and contact the maker’s support if the router never comes back.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I update router firmware?

Turn on automatic updates if your router has them. If it does not, check every few months, and check right away if the maker announces a security fix for your model. Updates fix security holes as well as bugs.

Do routers update firmware automatically?

Some do. Google Nest Wifi and eero systems update on their own. Other routers, such as ASUS and Linksys Smart Wi-Fi models, have an automatic option that you may need to turn on. Older routers often need a manual check.

Can I update router firmware over Wi-Fi?

For an online update started from the app or settings page, Wi-Fi is normally fine, and app-only systems such as eero work no other way. For a manual file upload, use an Ethernet cable. TP-Link tells users not to upload firmware over Wi-Fi unless the device has no Ethernet port.

Will updating router firmware erase my settings?

Usually not, but it can. TP-Link says the release notes mention it when an update resets the router to factory defaults. Back up the configuration or write down your settings before you start.

Does a firmware update make the internet faster?

It can fix bugs that cause dropouts, but it does not raise the speed of your internet plan. If one computer is still slow afterward, see how to update the Wi-Fi driver on Windows 11. You may also want to switch between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

A device will not reconnect after the update. What should I do?

Restart the device first. If the router was reset, the Wi-Fi name or password may have changed, so the device needs to join again. For an Echo speaker, see how to connect Alexa to Wi-Fi.

Next step

Once the router is current, turn on automatic updates if the firmware page offers them. If you also use a range extender, it has its own firmware. Our guide on how to set up a TP-Link Wi-Fi extender covers that device.