Your Tv's Usb Port Has An Underrated Feature That Can Revitalize An Old System For Free

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Recently, I wrote astir nan various uses of nan USB ports that travel modular connected nan backmost aliases broadside of immoderate smart TV. In this article, I'm focusing connected 1 peculiar important use: installing firmware updates utilizing a USB device.

Also: How to disable ACR connected your TV (and why doing truthful makes specified a large difference)

Updates are basal because they guarantee your TV has nan latest software, features, and information patches. Most smart TVs are designed to automatically cheque for and instal updates complete Wi-Fi -- arsenic agelong arsenic they're connected to nan net and nan automatic update characteristic is enabled. To corroborate this, you tin usually find a "Check for Updates" action successful nan TV's settings menu.

But if your TV has an unstable Wi-Fi relationship -- aliases you simply for illustration a manual attack -- nan pursuing is simply a walkthrough of really to usage a USB thrust to do nan job.

1. Identify your TV's exemplary number

Start by uncovering your TV's circumstantial exemplary number. It's usually connected a sticker aliases explanation connected nan backmost of your set, which tin often beryllium tricky to publication -- particularly connected a wall-mounted TV. Take a flashlight pinch you and jot down what you spot connected nan sticker. Better yet, move connected your telephone camera (with flash) to scope down nan TV and threat a image of nan sticker truthful you'll person nan accusation forever.

Also: I changed 10 settings connected my Fire TV to instantly amended nan performance

You should besides beryllium capable to find nan exemplary number successful nan TV's settings paper nether nan "About" aliases "Support" section.

2. Locate nan firmware update

Go online and sojourn nan manufacturer's charismatic website to look for nan "Support" aliases "Downloads" section. Use nan hunt usability connected nan website and participate your TV's exemplary number. This should bring up a database of disposable downloads for your circumstantial model. Look for nan latest firmware update file.

Also: How we trial TVs astatine ZDNET successful 2025

Be judge to salary adjacent attraction to nan region and type accusation for nan firmware update. Downloading and installing nan incorrect firmware tin origin superior problems pinch your TV, perchance "bricking" it, which is nan worst point that tin hap to immoderate smart instrumentality because it renders it unusable.

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

3. Download and extract nan firmware record

The firmware update record will usually travel successful a compressed format, specified arsenic a ZIP file. In your computer's Downloads folder, right-click connected nan ZIP and prime "Extract All." (I usually extract files to my desktop for speedy access.) The existent firmware files wrong nan ZIP will typically person extensions specified arsenic ".bin" aliases ".img."

4. Copy nan firmware record to nan USB thrust

Make judge your USB instrumentality has capable free abstraction to clasp nan firmware update record and is formatted for nan FAT32 record system. (Most pouch drives are formatted for FAT32 by default, making them compatible pinch Windows, macOS, and Linux.) Just retrieve that reformatting a USB thrust will erase each information connected it, truthful beryllium judge to backmost up immoderate files already stored connected it earlier proceeding.

Also: You should astir apt clear your TV cache correct now (and why it makes specified a large difference)

Copy nan extracted firmware file(s) straight to nan guidelines directory of nan USB drive. Do not spot them successful immoderate subfolders, arsenic this whitethorn forestall nan TV from recognizing them. Use nan "Safely Remove Hardware" action successful nan bottom-right taskbar connected your machine to eject nan USB thrust properly. (Always usage that characteristic to safely region a USB.)

5. Plug successful and update

Turn connected your TV. Insert your USB thrust containing nan firmware record into a USB port. In immoderate cases, nan TV whitethorn automatically observe nan firmware record connected nan USB thrust and punctual you to commencement nan update process. If this doesn't happen, you'll request to navigate to nan TV's settings menu. Look for an action branded "Software Update," "Firmware Update," aliases thing similar. Select nan USB thrust arsenic nan update root and travel nan on-screen instructions.

Also: I replaced my 4K TV pinch a UST projector - and nan ocular upgrade was worthy it

While your TV installs nan firmware update, it's champion to locomotion distant for a infinitesimal and fto nan devices do their thing. Don't move disconnected nan TV aliases region nan USB thrust while nan update is successful progress, arsenic this could harm nan TV's software. The TV whitethorn restart automatically erstwhile nan update is complete.

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

6. Verify nan update

After nan update process is finished, spell backmost to nan TV's settings menu. Check nan "Software Version" aliases "Firmware Version" accusation to corroborate that nan update was successful and that nan TV is now moving nan latest firmware.

If nan TV doesn't observe nan firmware record connected nan USB drive, effort reformatting nan thrust aliases utilizing a different one. If nan update process fails, effort downloading nan firmware record again and repeating nan steps. If you proceed to brushwood issues, interaction nan manufacturer's customer support for assistance.

Also: I changed these 6 TV settings to springiness it an instant velocity boost (and why they work)

Updating your TV's firmware is important to maintaining optimal capacity and ensuring you person entree to nan latest features and improvements. It tin resoluteness a assortment of issues, specified arsenic sluggish consequence times, unexpected errors, and compatibility problems pinch outer devices. Firmware updates often see bug fixes that reside known issues and vulnerabilities, enhancing nan wide stableness and information of your TV. They whitethorn besides present caller functionalities, specified arsenic support for caller video and audio formats, improved image and sound quality, aliases enhanced power efficiency.

By keeping your TV's firmware up to date, you tin bask a smoother, much responsive, reliable, and user-friendly viewing experience.

Get nan morning's apical stories successful your inbox each time pinch our Tech Today newsletter.