How to Update Router Firmware | How to Check Firmware Version
If you are going to update router firmware, this post of MiniTool is worth reading. It shows you how to update router firmware for different router brands. Besides, it helps you check the firmware version so that you can know if your current firmware is up to date.
Why Should You Update Router Firmware
The router protects all your Wi-Fi devices from hackers like a gate. However, an outdated router is vulnerable to hacking by cybercriminals, enabling them to penetrate your home network and control all devices connected to it. To block threats and hacks effectively, you should always keep your router firmware up to date.
As router manufacturers usually release bug patches and new features in the router firmware update, you can get the strongest signal, optimal performance, and enhanced security by installing the update.
Also read: Get Samsung TV Software Update | Solve Issues with the Update
Update Router Firmware for Different Brands of Router
Before you update router firmware, you should find the IP address of your router. Here are the common default IP addresses of some popular wireless router brands. After that, follow the corresponding steps according to your router brand. Actually, the router firmware update process for different brands is alike.
- Apple: 10.0.1.1
- Asus: 192.168.1.1
- Buffalo Tech: 192.168.1.1
- D-Link: 192.168.0.1 or 10.0.0.1
- Cisco/Linksys: 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1
- NETGEAR: 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.0.227
Here are some tips for you when you perform the router firmware update process.
- Don’t interrupt the router firmware update.
- Don’t close your browser, open any pages, or perform any Internet-related activity.
- Don’t update router firmware wirelessly
- Consider buying a router that can update automatically
TP-Link Router Firmware Update
Step 1: Move to the TP-Link’s website and find your model in the Support section.
Be sure to choose the right hardware version and model. If you install firmware for the wrong model, it will cause damage to your router.
Step 2: Download the latest firmware for your model. As the firmware comes in a Zip file, you need to extract it before using it.
Step 3: Access 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or http://tplinkwifi.net via the web browser. To do that, type one of them in the address bar of the browser and hit Enter.
Step 4: Enter your username and password on the login window, and then click Log In.
Step 5: Click Advanced > System Tools > Firmware Upgrade.
Step 6: Tap Browse or Choose File and locate the firmware update file.
Step 7: Choose the file by double-clicking it and then click Upgrade to update the firmware.
Step 8: Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the process.
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NETGEAR Firmware Update
How to update NETGEAR router firmware? Here are steps to perform a NETGEAR firmware update.
Step 1: Open a browser on your computer and go to https://www.routerlogin.net. Alternatively, you can also input the IP address of the NETGEAR router at the search bar of the browser and hit Enter.
Step 2: Enter your username and password in the field, and then click Log In.
The default username is “admin”, while the default password is “password”.
Step 3: After accessing your router settings, click ADVANCED > Administration.
Step 4: Tap on the Firmware Update or Router Update button.
Step 5: After you click on the Check button, the router will check for available updates automatically. If there are updates, you will be asked to download them.
Step 6: Click Yes to download and install the updates.
To install the latest NETGEAR router firmware update manually, go to the NETGEAR Download Center and then download the latest update after you enter your router’s model.
Step 7: Once the NETGEAR firmware update process ends, restart your router.
Linksys Router Firmware Update
Go to the Linksys Support Site, and then enter the model of your router and check if there’s an available firmware update. If so, download the firmware and install it on your computer. In addition to that, you can install the latest router firmware update by following these steps.
Step 1: Enter 192.168.1.1 in the address bar of your web browser and press Enter.
Step 2: On the login screen, enter your username and password in the blank field.
Step 3: Click Log In to access the settings page.
Step 4: Click Administration > Firmware Upgrade > Browse. Then choose a location for the router firmware update file.
Step 5: Double-click on the downloaded firmware file and then click Start Upgrade.
Step 6: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the operation.
How to Check Firmware Version
Whether you need to update router firmware? The answer depends on the current version of your router firmware. If it is the latest version, you don’t need to update it. On the contrary, you should update it automatically or manually. How to check your firmware version?
You just need to follow these steps. Log into the settings page of your router with login credentials. Then click Advanced > Software > Software Version. Then you can see the firmware version of your router. For some routers, the firmware version is displayed under the Firmware Version tab in the settings page.
After finding out the current firmware version, compare it whether it is the latest one on the official website of the router. Then you will get the result. To know the performance of your hard drive, simply perform a hard drive speed test with MiniTool Partition Wizard. The Disk Benchmark feature of this software will tell you the read & write speed of your drive.