How do I update the firmware on my router?

Tip: Make sure you have exhausted all other ideas and recommendations before resorting to a firmware update on your home network router. Router firmware updates may not resolve issues with a computer that is unable to connect to your network. However, it could resolve other miscellaneous issues such as problems with UPnP, random disconnects, and other router feature issues.

Tip: You need to be able to enter your router setup to update the router firmware. If you do not know the router username and password you will not be able to complete the steps below.

All firmware updates should be downloaded through the manufacturer of your router and saved to your computer. With most network routers the firmware update will end with .bin and should be saved to a place that will be easy to remember, such as yourDesktop.

After the file has been downloaded open your router setup and locate the firmware upgrade section. The picture shows an example of the Firmware Upgrade section under Administration on a Linksys network router.

Point the firmware upgrade section to the firmware file you downloaded earlier and start the upgrade. As should be mentioned on the firmware upgrade page it is important that the firmware upgrade is not interrupted, interrupting any firmware update will prevent that device from working.