Trying to update router firmware but can't find the right button? The controls depend on your model, and some gateways leave updates to your internet provider. Start with the app or browser instructions below, then use a matching firmware file if the online update fails. Keep power connected until installation and rebooting finish.
Start with your router’s app
Find your app below and follow its instructions for a compatible router or mesh system.
TP-Link Tether: Connect your phone to the router’s Wi-Fi.
Sign in through Tether.
Open More > System > Firmware Update.
Tap Update when offered. This route requires a Tether-compatible TP-Link Cloud router.
TP-Link Deco: Sign in to the Deco app.
Open More > System > Update Deco.
Follow the available-update prompts.
Let the units finish updating and rebooting.
ASUS Router: Open Settings > Firmware Upgrade > Check Firmware Version.
On Android, tap Upgrade Now; on iPhone, tap Update, then OK.
Keep all AiMesh devices powered during installation.
NETGEAR Nighthawk: Connect your phone to router Wi-Fi.
Open Nighthawk.
Sign in as prompted, including the router administrator credentials.
Tap the router image.
Tap CHECK FOR UPDATES.
Tap UPDATE when offered.
NETGEAR Orbi: Connect to Orbi Wi-Fi.
Sign in to the Orbi app.
Open Menu > Settings > Router Settings > Check for Updates. If the app shows Update Firmware instead, open it and complete the prompts.
eero: Open Settings > Software updates.
When An update is available appears, tap Install now.
Keep every eero you want to update online.
Check for an update in your browser
Prefer using your computer? Use the browser controls for your brand.
For a TP-Link router that supports TP-Link Cloud, connect to the router.
Sign in at tplinkwifi.net.
Click the upper-right Update icon when an update is available.
Review the firmware information.
Click Upgrade.
On ASUS, sign in at asusrouter.com or the router’s LAN address.
Select Update now in the firmware notification.
Select Firmware Upgrade.
For NETGEAR, sign in at routerlogin.net.
Open ADVANCED > Administration or Settings > Administration, depending on your model.
Select Firmware Update or Router Update.
Click Check.
Accept Yes or Upgrade when offered.
On Linksys Mesh, sign in to the router’s web interface.
Open Router Settings > Connectivity > Check for Updates.
Expand Details to identify nodes needing an update.
Click Update when offered.
If the online update fails, try the manual upload below for your supported model. ASUS also recommends manual uploading after a long gap between updates.
Upload a firmware file manually
A manual upload provides another installation route when the online updater fails.
Download firmware matching your exact model, hardware revision, and purchase region from TP-Link support, the ASUS Download Center, or NETGEAR support. For TP-Link, use the purchase region’s site; US and EU firmware are not interchangeable.
Extract the downloaded firmware.
Connect your computer to the router by Ethernet for the TP-Link and NETGEAR procedures.
Sign in at tplinkwifi.net for TP-Link, asusrouter.com or the router’s LAN address for ASUS, or routerlogin.net for NETGEAR.
On TP-Link, open Advanced > System > Firmware Upgrade > BROWSE. On ASUS, open Administration > Firmware Upgrade > Upload.
On NETGEAR, open ADVANCED > Administration or Settings > Administration.
For NETGEAR, select Firmware Update or Router Update.
Click NETGEAR’s Choose File or Browse control.
Select your extracted firmware file. TP-Link uses a BIN file; the NETGEAR procedure uses an IMG or CHK file.
Start installation with Upgrade on TP-Link, Open on ASUS, or Upload on NETGEAR.
On TP-Link, confirm the upgrade when prompted.
Wait for installation and any reboot to finish with power connected.
Check whether your internet provider controls updates
Provider-managed firmware explains the missing update option on most NETGEAR cable gateways.
Leave the gateway connected for provider-controlled cable firmware updates.
Contact your ISP for firmware assistance.
The CAX30, CAX30S, CAX80, CBR40, and CBR750 split cable and router firmware into separate components. Update their router component through the supported app or browser procedure; the ISP alone updates the cable component.
For an ISP-provided Linksys mesh system, contact the supplying ISP for its approved firmware.
Keep a CenturyLink-managed gateway connected to CenturyLink’s network for its normal automatic updates.
On a CenturyLink gateway with the supported browser interface, sign in at 192.168.0.1.
Open Utilities > Upgrade Firmware.
Check Upgrade Status. If it reads Firmware is up to date or N/A, no update is needed.
Schedule automatic updates
Google Nest Wifi Pro, Nest Wifi, and Google Wifi install firmware automatically while powered and connected to the internet. Google Home displays the installed version; Google provides no manual firmware installation button.
For eero, choose a window under Settings > Software updates > Preferred update time, including AM or PM. On Deco models with scheduling controls, open More > System > Update Deco. Enable Auto Update and configure Update Schedule.
On ASUS models with automatic upgrading, open Administration > Firmware Upgrade. Enable Auto Firmware Upgrade and set your preferred time. ASUS also installs releases designated as required for important fixes automatically.
For supported NETGEAR Nighthawk and Orbi models, sign in locally at routerlogin.net or orbilogin.com. Open ADVANCED > Administration > Router Update. Under Router Auto Firmware Update, select Enable and click Apply; this control is model-dependent.
Update Orbi satellites before the router when uploading files
Use this order for Orbi systems with manual updating, including RBR750, RBR840, and RBR850 systems on firmware 4.6.X.X or older, which cannot auto-update.
- 1.Download and extract the matching satellite and router firmware from NETGEAR support. Satellite RBS files and router RBR files are different.
- 2.Connect your computer by Ethernet and sign in at orbilogin.com.
- 3.Open Advanced > Administration > Firmware Update > Manual Update.
- 4.Select a satellite and click Update, then use BROWSE and UPLOAD for its matching firmware file.
- 5.Finish updating each satellite individually before proceeding to the router.
- 6.Upload the router’s matching file through the same Manual Update tab and allow installation to finish.
Recover a router that stops responding after an update
Model-specific recovery restores supported routers after a failed firmware installation.
Identify your exact model and hardware revision. Recovery addresses, button combinations, and firmware requirements differ between devices.
Open the manufacturer’s recovery instructions for your model: TP-Link browser recovery, ASUS Windows Firmware Restoration for Rescue Mode, or NETGEAR TFTP recovery on macOS. Each procedure applies only to supported models.
For Deco, select your model’s procedure in TP-Link’s Deco recovery instructions. M5 and P7 use a different method from other Deco models; X50/X55 V1 and V1.2 require specific intermediate recovery firmware.
Follow the selected recovery procedure through firmware transfer and completion. Holding a hardware button or performing a factory reset alone does not update firmware.
Restore your computer’s network settings afterward if recovery required a temporary manual IP address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does updating the router app also update router firmware?
No. Updating the phone app does not install router firmware. The router’s firmware update is a separate installation.
Do I need to factory reset my router after updating?
A factory reset is not a universal requirement. ASUS recommends one after updating in its browser instructions, but it clears settings. Follow the instructions for your specific model.
Does GL.iNet 4.x install firmware updates automatically?
No. GL.iNet 4.x does not provide automatic firmware updates. Its online update check and upgrade reminder require you to initiate installation.
Why does Nighthawk ask for another password after I sign in?
Your MyNETGEAR account and router administrator credentials are separate. Signing in to your account does not replace the router administrator login.
