How Can I Update My LG TV Firmware?
By Steve McDonnell
LG issues periodic updates to the firmware for different TV models. Firmware updates correct problems, enhance existing features and sometimes provide new features. You can update your LG TV firmware by navigating to the LG support site, downloading the firmware to a USB drive and installing it on your TV from the USB drive. If you have a network-enabled TV, you can choose to update your firmware automatically when updates become available.
Locate TV Model and Type
Step 1
Locate the label with the TV model number and type on the back of your LG TV. Write down the numbers and letters on the label.
Step 2
Use the remote control to find the model number if you have difficulty locating the label. Press "Home," "Setup" and "Support" on the remote control if you have a smart TV. Press "Menu" and the red "Customer Support" key on your remote control if you don't have a smart TV.
Step 3
Select "Product/Service Info" and write down the numbers and letters labeled "Model/Type" on the screen.
Download and Install Firmware
Step 1
Insert a USB flash drive into a USB port on your computer. Click the Windows Start button and "Computer" to display a list of drives on your PC. Locate the USB flash drive, right-click it and choose "Format..." Click "Start" to format the drive and erase its contents.
Step 2
Navigate to the LG website (see link in Resources). Click "Support." Type the numbers and letters that you recorded in the previous steps and press "Enter." Locate the same numbers and letters on the next page next to the Televisions label and click them to display the support page for your TV.
Step 3
Click the "Drivers & Software" tab. Click the link labeled "Software File" followed by a version number. Click "Download This File," navigate to the USB drive folder and click "Save" to save the firmware file on the USB drive.
Step 4
Double-click the USB drive on your computer to open it. Right-click and choose "New" and "Folder." Type "LG_DTV" and press "Enter" to assign this name to the folder.
Step 5
Double-click the firmware file you downloaded to display the contents of the archive. Press "Ctrl-A" to select all the files. Press "Ctrl-C" to copy them. Double-click the LG_DTV folder to open it and press "Ctrl-V" to paste the files into the folder.
Step 6
Click the icon in the Windows status bar to "Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media." Choose the USB drive and click "Eject." Remove the USB drive from the computer.
Step 7
Insert the USB drive into the USB port on your LG TV. Select "Start" with the remote control if you get a "TV Software Upgrade" prompt. Wait for the upgrade to finish and for the TV to restart itself.
References
Tips
- If you have a network-enabled TV, enable automatic updates and the TV will prompt you to download and install new firmware updates as they become available.
Warnings
- Do not interrupt the TV while it's loading the update from the USB drive. Wait for it to complete the upgrade and restart itself before you make any selections on the TV or with the remote control.
Writer Bio
Steve McDonnell's experience running businesses and launching companies complements his technical expertise in information, technology and human resources. He earned a degree in computer science from Dartmouth College, served on the WorldatWork editorial board, blogged for the Spotfire Business Intelligence blog and has published books and book chapters for International Human Resource Information Management and Westlaw.