The router offers Internet connection for all devices on your network, performing its task in a silent and effective way. Unfortunately, you remember him only when there is a problem with the connection, such as slow Internet or WiFi that he cannot take in all parts of the house.
If in these situations you think that the only solution is to buy a new router, you could try the way of updating the firmware as a last resort.
Like any other device, the router has an operating system (called firmware) that can be updated if necessary with an improved version, capable of solving the problems you have encountered in most cases.
Find out in this guide how to update the router's firmware so as to improve the Internet connection speed or the connection speed of the WiFi network.
READ ALSO: Things to do on a new router (or if they have never been done)
How to update router firmware
I have included all the procedure to follow to update any router in this guide, just follow the key points that I have discussed below to obtain the update of your network device (if any) at the end.
1) Router offered by the operator or purchased by you ">
Vodafone Station Revolution
Fastweb Fastgate
These are the models supplied in the last period but many other modems have been supplied in the past years, just check if they have the operator logo.
When you signed up for your subscription, the operator gave you the modem included in the offer ">
If you have not been able to find any reference to the router model (perhaps because the label has been damaged or detached) you can always access the control panel of the same.
Type in any browser from PC the address 191.168.1.1 or alternatively 192.168.1.2 and log in to find out the model of router you own (it should be clearly visible on the main screen or in the Information menu).
3) Visit the right site
Once you find out the model you have, just enter the model in the support page of the manufacturer of that particular router. The main manufacturers of network equipment dedicated to home use are collected in the following list:
- TP-Link
- D-Link
- Netgear
- Linksys
- AVM Fritz Box!
- Cisco
- Asus
Once you find the manufacturer, enter the model name in the dedicated search field on the support page to open the product help page.
If the manufacturer of your router is not included in this list, you can try searching Google for the name and see if a support page is available.
4) Download the updated firmware
You have arrived at the support page for your router ">
Follow the instructions on the page to download the new firmware.
Depending on the model you have, you may need to download one or two files, which are essential for updating.
Note : not all routers have downloadable updates, you may already have the latest firmware without knowing it!
Checking however is not a problem, you may find unexpected updates even for very old models.
5) Update the firmware on the router
Once you download the new firmware you can finally update the router to see if the performance increases.
Warning! The update procedure may take a few minutes, during which it will not be possible to browse the Internet or use any other function of the router being updated.
During the update it must never skip the electric current, otherwise the device will be irreversibly damaged.
Make sure you have a spare router to deal with problems and avoid running out of the Internet.
Having taken the necessary precautions brought into the configuration panel of your router (as already seen 192.168.1.1. Or 192.168.0.1 from any PC browser) and find the Firmware menu, Firmware update, Firmware Update, Upgrade or similar among many voices present.
The procedure changes according to the router in possession, but in the vast majority of cases just press the Browse or Browse button to select the new firmware downloaded to the PC, then press the Update or Upgrade button to start the update procedure.
Wait for the device to restart and do nothing until the lights of the modem or router return to normal (at this stage they may flash or not light up for a few seconds).
At the end you will be reconnected to the router and you can see if the update applied has brought you some improvements.
6) How to change official firmware with a customized one
The router does not have firmware updates or the one present is not that great "> Install DD-WRT as router firmware
