How to Update Router Firmware on TP-Link, NETGEAR, ASUS and Other Routers

Global Router Editorial Team · Published · 8 min read

Illustration: a router with an upward arrow in a circle above it
Contents
  1. Why Firmware Updates Matter
  2. Before You Update
  3. Automatic and App Updates
  4. TP-Link
  5. NETGEAR
  6. ASUS
  7. Other Brands and Provider Equipment
  8. If the Update Fails
  9. Frequently asked questions

Firmware is the software that runs your router: the operating system, the Wi-Fi drivers and the settings pages. Unlike phones and laptops, many routers never update themselves, so a router can keep running the firmware it shipped with for years. Updating takes ten minutes and, done the right way, carries very little risk.

Why Firmware Updates Matter

Security. Routers face the internet around the clock, and attackers look for known holes in common models. Manufacturers close those holes in firmware updates; a router that never gets them stays open to attacks that are already public.

Stability and speed. Updates fix bugs that cause dropped connections, slow Wi-Fi and devices that refuse to connect. If your Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting or is slow for no clear reason, outdated firmware is one of the first things to rule out.

Compatibility. New phones and laptops bring new Wi-Fi features and security modes, and updates help older routers work with them.

Every router eventually reaches the end of its support. If your model has not had an update in years and the manufacturer lists it as end-of-life, no update will come, and replacing it is the secure option.

Before You Update

A few minutes of preparation prevents almost every failed update.

  1. Find the exact model and hardware version. Both are on the label under the router. Hardware versions matter: TP-Link, for example, prints a string like “Ver: 1.2” on the label, and firmware for one hardware version does not fit another.
  2. Get the firmware only from the manufacturer. Use the router’s own update check or the support page for your model on the manufacturer’s site. TP-Link points out that firmware for the US and the EU versions of a model differs, so download it from the site for the region where you bought the router.
  3. Back up the settings. Most routers can save the configuration to a file in the administration or system section. If yours cannot, write down the Wi-Fi name and password, the internet connection type and any port forwarding rules.
  4. Use a cable if you can. TP-Link and NETGEAR both recommend updating over a wired connection rather than Wi-Fi.
  5. Plan for a few minutes offline. The router restarts during the update, and the internet is down until it finishes.

The one rule that matters most: never turn off the router or unplug it while the update is running. An interrupted update is the main way a router gets damaged.

Automatic and App Updates

Before updating by hand, check whether your router can do it for you.

  • TP-Link routers with cloud support show an Update icon in the upper-right corner of the settings page when new firmware is available. The Tether app also offers updates under More → System → Firmware Update.
  • NETGEAR calls the Nighthawk app the easiest way to update, on routers that support it.
  • ASUS routers have an Auto Firmware Upgrade option under Administration → Firmware Upgrade, where you can choose a time when nobody uses the network. ASUS also recommends its ASUS Router app for updates.

Turning on automatic updates, where the router offers them, is the simplest way to stay secure from now on.

On TP-Link routers without the online update, the manual steps from TP-Link’s guide are:

  1. Download the firmware for your model and hardware version from TP-Link’s support site and extract the ZIP file.
  2. Log in at http://tplinkwifi.net (or the router’s IP address). See TP-Link router login if you do not know the password.
  3. Go to Advanced → System → Firmware Upgrade, click Browse and select the extracted BIN file.
  4. Click Upgrade and confirm.
  5. Wait about three minutes until the router restarts, then check the version on the same page.

TP-Link notes that if the release notes of an update mention a reset, the router returns to factory settings afterwards, so keep your backup at hand.

NETGEAR

NETGEAR’s instructions for updating in a web browser:

  1. Connect your computer to the router with an Ethernet cable.
  2. Open http://routerlogin.net and log in. The username is admin; the password is the one set during the first setup. See NETGEAR router login for the defaults of older models.
  3. Go to ADVANCED → Administration or Settings → Administration, depending on the model.
  4. Click Firmware Update or Router Update, then Check.
  5. If new firmware is found, click Yes and then Upgrade.

The router updates and restarts, which takes a few minutes. NETGEAR asks you not to go online, turn off the router or do anything else until it has restarted.

ASUS

ASUS offers an online update and a manual upload in the web interface at http://www.asusrouter.com or the router’s IP address. More on logging in: ASUS router login.

  • Online: when new firmware is available, a notice appears in the upper-right corner. Click Update now and follow the prompts.
  • Manual: download the firmware for your exact model from the ASUS support site and unzip it. In the web interface, go to Advanced Settings → Administration → Firmware Upgrade, click Upload, select the file and wait until the upload finishes.

ASUS’s own guide recommends restoring factory defaults after an online update and setting the router up again with Quick Internet Setup. That is one more reason to save your settings or note them down before you start.

Other Brands and Provider Equipment

Most other brands follow the same pattern: the update lives in a section called Administration, Management, System, Maintenance or Tools, with either a “Check for updates” button or a file upload. D-Link, Linksys, Tenda and others publish firmware on the support page for each model; the model and hardware version on the label decide which file is the right one. If you do not know how to reach the settings page, start with what is my router IP.

A gateway or router rented from your internet provider is usually updated by the provider remotely, and many of them have no manual update option at all. If you suspect outdated firmware on provider equipment, ask the provider’s support; if the box is very old, ask for a replacement.

If the Update Fails

Wait first. Some updates take longer than the progress bar suggests. Give the router ten minutes before you do anything.

Then restart it. If the router does not come back, turn it off for 30 seconds and on again. If it starts with the old firmware, download the file again and repeat the update over a cable.

Reset it if the settings page will not open. A factory reset with the reset button brings back the default login; see how to factory reset a router.

Use the recovery tool for your brand. Some manufacturers offer a recovery or rescue mode for routers whose firmware is damaged; ASUS, for example, has a Firmware Restoration utility. If nothing helps, contact the manufacturer’s support with the model and hardware version.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I update my router’s firmware?

Check every few months, or turn on automatic updates if your router has them. Install security updates as soon as they appear.

Does updating firmware erase my settings?

Usually not, but some updates do, and ASUS recommends a factory reset after updating. Read the release notes and save your settings before you start.

Can I update router firmware over Wi-Fi?

It often works, but manufacturers such as TP-Link and NETGEAR recommend a cable, because the connection drops while the router restarts and an interrupted upload can damage the router.

How do I know if my router needs an update?

Compare the firmware version on the router’s status or firmware page with the latest version on the manufacturer’s support page for your model and hardware version.

What if my router no longer gets updates?

Then it will not receive fixes for new security problems. Replace it, especially if it is several years old; our guide on setting up a new router helps with the switch.

Sources

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