Cisco Linksys Router: How To Upgrade the Firmware

Updating the router’s firmware on your home network is often overlooked. Upgrading the firmware improves performance, stability and wireless range.

Because Cisco Linksys are the most common home router, this article shows the process on a  Cisco E4200 wireless router. Remember each router is different, but upgrading the firmware is essentially the same process.

Important: Make sure you’ve got a hardwired connection to the router before attempting to upgrade the firmware.

Open your browser and type in the router’s IP Address – typically 192.168.1.1 into the address bar. Hit Enter.

Next type in the router username and password. You do have your router password protected right?

Now that you’re logged into the router, view the firmware version currently on the router. In my example it’s 1.0.02.

Visit the Cisco Linksys support site and select you router’s model to see if there is an updated version.

If there is a new version, download it to a convenient location on your system. On your router go to Administration >> Firmware Upgrade.

Browse to the location of the latest drive you just downloaded. Click Start Upgrade.

Now wait while the firmware is upgraded. Make sure not to do anything else on your computer while the process is active.

Then wait while the router reboots. You won’t be able to access the Internet or network while it’s rebooting. Click Continue.

Success. The router now has the latest firmware version.

Every Linksys router I’ve seen in my career upgrades the same way. Keeping the router up-to-date is just as important as keeping your system’s hardware and software current.