How Often to Update Your Router’s Firmware?
Some routers automatically check for updates and subsequently send them. If not, ideally, your router firmware should be updated at least once in five years. In case there are many devices connected to it on a regular basis, every three years is also a good time to check up on your router firmware.
If you want to check your router for updates, here are the steps.
- Go to the Settings of your router.
- Select the “Advanced” option.
- Go to “Administration”.
- Click on the update firmware or update router button.
How to Update Your Router’s Firmware?
Updating your router from time to time, whether prompted automatically or done manually, is crucial. The following are the steps to update your router’s firmware.
Step 1: Firstly, you will have to find the IP address for your router. In most cases, you can find it on the bottom portion of the router itself. You can also find it in the “Network Status” tab (for Windows) and the “Network” tab under “System Preferences” (for Mac).
Step 2: Connect to the router with the help of ethernet so that you can access the configuration tools of the router.
Step 3: Enter the IP address of your router in your browser. This will open your configuration page where you can provide your router login information. There are many default login options that you can try if you cannot remember any specific router login information.
Step 4: Go to the “Update Router” or “Firmware” page. The location of this page might differ from one manufacturer to another. You can look for instructions in the router packaging box or find them on the “Utilities” page.
Step 5: Press the “Check Now” button on the update page. This will help you look for an update, if any, for your router firmware. You can also look for firmware updates on the website of your router manufacturer.
Step 6: Download the firmware files required for the update. They are usually downloaded in a zip file format.
Step 7: Extract the files and upload them to your router by going to the update firmware page from before.
Step 8: Once the file is uploaded, the update will begin. It will take a few minutes, after which the router will reset itself. During this process, you will most likely not get a connection to the router.
Endnotes
Clearly, updating your router is no hassle at all!
With a few simple steps, you can ensure increased speed and security for yourself and anyone else who might use your router. With the increased use of the internet, it is important everyone stays safe with proper firmware protection.
