How to Update Your Router’s Firmware
Follow these steps to update your router’s firmware:
Download the firmware file from a trusted source. Ideally, you’d get the firmware directly from the manufacturer’s website. For example, if you were upgrading the firmware on a Linksys E1000 router, you’d visit its download page on the Linksys website to find the firmware download. If you download the firmware file from anywhere other than the manufacturer’s official website, scan the file for malware to be sure it’s safe. Log in to the router’s administrative console. Open the router’s IP address as a URL in a web browser, such as http://192. 168. 1. 1 if your router’s IP address is 192. 168. 1. 1. These are common default IP addresses for some of the more popular wireless router brands. Apple: 10. 0. 1. 1Asus: 192. 168. 1. 1Buffalo Tech: 192. 168. 1. 1D-Link: 192. 168. 0. 1 or 10. 0. 0. 1Cisco/Linksys: 192. 168. 1. 1 or 192. 168. 0. 1NETGEAR: 192. 168. 0. 1 or 192. 168. 0. 227 After you reach the router’s login page, enter the password and username for the admin user. Review these lists of default login information for these router brands: NETGEAR, Cisco, Linksys, D-Link. Locate the firmware section in the router’s settings. The option often resides in an Advanced or Management part of the settings, but it could be anywhere because not all routers are the same. Verify that the router firmware version you downloaded is newer than the one your router currently uses. Look for a firmware version number that you can compare to the one you downloaded. Transfer the firmware file to the router. Some routers might require a flash drive that contains the firmware file, plugged into an open USB port on the router, but others let you upgrade the firmware from the router’s control panel. Follow the steps given to you for your specific router. Do not interrupt the firmware installation. Avoid updating the router firmware if the power might suddenly go out, like during a storm. Never shut off the router during the upgrade. Reboot the router after the firmware patch applies. Your router may reboot itself during the update process.
Why Upgrade the Router Firmware?
Your router’s firmware controls the operating system that’s specifically designed to run on your make and model of router. Your router manufacturer may release a firmware update to fix a vulnerability that was detected in the current firmware. When bugs are found and corrected, updated firmware is released so that users can implement those fixes.
Open the router’s IP address as a URL in a web browser, such as http://192.168.1.1 if your router’s IP address is 192.168.1.1.
These are common default IP addresses for some of the more popular wireless router brands.
Apple: 10. 0. 1. 1Asus: 192. 168. 1. 1Buffalo Tech: 192. 168. 1. 1D-Link: 192. 168. 0. 1 or 10. 0. 0. 1Cisco/Linksys: 192. 168. 1. 1 or 192. 168. 0. 1NETGEAR: 192. 168. 0. 1 or 192. 168. 0. 227
After you reach the router’s login page, enter the password and username for the admin user.
Some routers might require a flash drive that contains the firmware file, plugged into an open USB port on the router, but others let you upgrade the firmware from the router’s control panel.
Follow the steps given to you for your specific router.
Router manufacturers might also issue a firmware update to add new features to the router, such as parental control settings or IPv6 support. Other upgrades might include adding new security mechanisms that weren’t in previous versions of the firmware.
Besides security fixes, your router manufacturer might have found a way to enhance your router’s overall performance, which is always a good thing.
