If you encounter recurrent security concerns or cannot gain entry to components of a TV’s software or the latest functions, you are likely required to update the firmware of your TV. Updating your device enables it to work as best it can in sound, pictures, and apps, as well as the security aspect.
If you have never done it before or if updating your TV tech overwhelms you, read on.
How to Upgrade Android TV Software
Altogether, normally you do not need it for your Android TV, and firmware updates are optional or, if critical, are installed by Android TV of its own accord. The constant updates can even be counterproductive if you are carrying out a manual update with the wrong update file.
Android TVs can be set either to receive updates automatically or to receive them on demand. For firmware to be installed automatically, this setting has to be tuned into your television set.
On the other hand, the manual update is done through the Internet or through USB Flash Drive. Both require connection but only for the latter, a good Wi-Fi connection is imperative.
How to Manually Upgrade Android TV Software
As you update the modern TVs, there are a few issues to bear in mind: Firstly, make sure that the network is not disturbed in the course of the whole process, and this would help in not damaging the Television set. Also, there is a need to download the right firmware to use on the specific model of the television set.
A different version can harm your hardware considerably, so you need to protect yourself from it. Only if the above are in place can you install the software, but if they are missing, you should look for their equivalent, install the software, and then look for ways to cover for the missing element.
Although there are different TV brands that operate on Android, the process generally takes the following methods when updating the TV over Wi-Fi:
- Power on your television and select Network Connection.
- Select Status & Diagnostics.
- Choose System Software Update.
- Allow your system to download firmware and update it
And here’s what you’ll need to do if you want to use a USB drive:
- Download the newer version of the firmware.
- Copy this firmware file to your device using a USB.
- Plug the drive into the USB of your TV to know how to put your TV in recovery mode.
- Your TV will identify the file in the drive and request permission to install updates.
- After the installation, allow the TV to restart.
However, these are general instructions for the firmware update installation. The process may not be the same; thus, visit your manufacturer’s site and check the correct process to follow.
As Samsung and Sony are among the most demanded TV brands that use Android TVs, this article will describe a little more those models.
Connect Your Samsung TV to the Internet
In general, the process of updating firmware from Samsung TV is quite simple, and there are not many differences between the different series. Here are the procedures that should be followed when updating the Samsung TV firmware over the internet for particular models.
- Setting up your TV Wi-Fi connection.
- Go to the Menu and Settings button in your remote.
- if you press Menu in the first step, click on Help.
- Choose Software Update.
- Press Update Now.
- When your TV’s firmware is being downloaded and installed, do not press any button or switch off the TV.
- Let your TV restart and implement the updates.
Update Sony TV to the Internet
Sony TV has different TV models, and the idea of the portraits is practically the same. You receive a notification when a new one is available and choose if you want to install it. Still, to get downloads, you have to accept Sony’s Privacy Policy for some models, such as the W800 series.
Usually, most people agree with the Policy during setup, but if you haven’t, here’s how to do that:
- Press the Help button on the remote control.
- Go to Privacy Settings.
- Press on the pop-up to agree with the privacy policy.
That is followed by waiting to receive the software download to complete if it is available after that. Most of the time, they are found, for some models, at the upper right corner of your home screen; For the other models, you get it when you are powering your TV on or off.
It presents two buttons namely, “Update Now” and “Update Later.” If you need to update later, you will receive periodic reminders.
If you update it, the correct file will be downloaded first before installation, to be more precise. During downloading, there will be no limitations on TV usage. The situation is quite the opposite. During the installation, you will not be able to use the TV at all. Do not switch off the TV when it is still performing the update.
If, however, the update notification is not visible, then you can manually update Windows. Here’s how:
- On your remote control, press the HELP button.
- From the settings menu, select System Software Update and update it.
- Update TV Software or something as close as possible to these names.
Do make sure that your TV is connected to Wi-Fi before updating it.
In the case of the W800 series, the procedure is somewhat different.
- Press the Home button on your remote control.
- Select Settings and press Device Preferences.
- Choose About, and click System Update.
- Read the on-screen messages and complete the installation process.
Update Using a USB Flash Drive
For this method, you will need to download the file from your TV manufacturer’s website, and the process is a little different depending on the brand.
This article shall concentrate on Samsung and Sony. So, here’s how to install a firmware using a USB flash drive: So, here’s how to install a firmware using a USB flash drive:
For Samsung TV:
- Open the Samsung Center in your web browser.
- If you have the model number of your TV, you can choose Enter the Model Number.
- Select your TV model from those provided on the screen.
- Go to the Downloads page and click Download next to shelf the latest version.
- Wait for the file to be downloaded to your PC, find the folder in the zip file format and extract it.
- Find a USB flash drive and plug it into your computer then transfer the file to the flash drive.
- Remove the USB from your computer when it is done transmitting.
- Click the Menu on your remote control and go to Settings, then to Support on your TV.
- Select Software and then Update.
- Select Yes to proceed, and your TV will search for the file.
Do not switch off your device or press any button until the process is fully done. Anytime firmware is changed, the TV will power cycle on its own and give an indication that it is updating.
Please do not forget that while inserting your flash drive into the TV, the TV can recognise the file only if the file is in the root folder of the flash drive without any other subfolders or files on that USB which you may have.
In order to prevent anything get in the way of TV from locating the file, one can rewrite the USB of all files, before sending the file to the USB.
Update your Android TV
The firmware of your Android TV can be updated, as it is compulsory if you wish for your television to be bestowed with the latest features. Fortunately, it’s easy to accomplish, and many models update if you choose that option during installation.
