How to update your Samsung smart TV

Samsung’s smart TVs consistently rank among the best on the market. The company’s ongoing support of its TVs (usually for two years after their release date) includes regular firmware updates. It’s important to know how to update your Samsung smart TV, not only to enjoy new features but to keep your OS compatible with any apps you want to use as well. Security updates are also included in the regular firmware updates, so it’s healthy for your network to stay current. Finally, updating can be a lifesaver if you have issues with your tv or your Samsung remote isn’t working.

Luckily, if you have an internet connection, you can have your firmware updated automatically, or choose to update manually. We’ll cover both below, and discuss updating your apps as well. Read on.

How to update a Samsung Smart TV

The procedure to update your Samsung smart TV is short and simple. To begin, just turn on your TV and point the remote control at the screen. Then press the Home button.

Use the directional arrows to navigate over to the gear icon on the far left of the home menu. This is the Settings icon. Press the Enter button.

In the Settings menu, scroll down to Support. Press Enter.

Use the navigation buttons to select Software Update. Press Enter.

You will see the Update Now button. Navigate to it and press Enter on your remote. If there is an update available, it will begin. Otherwise, you will see a notification telling you that your firmware is up to date. Be sure not to turn off the TV while it is updating. When the update completes, your Samsung smart TV will restart on its own.

Will my TV update automatically?

Your Samsung smart TV is capable of updating itself automatically, but you have to set it to do this. To do so, follow the instructions above until you are on the Software Update screen. Instead of Update Now, navigate to Auto Update and press Enter.

With the automatic updating activated, your TV will periodically check online for firmware updates. When it discovers one, it will install it while the TV is off. The update will be active the next time you turn the TV on.

What if I don’t have an internet connection?

If, for some reason, you have no internet connection, or prefer taking matters into your own hands, you can also update a Samsung smart TV using a USB flash drive.

You’ll need to go to the Samsung Download Center and look for your TV model. Download the software update you want to install. Once you download the zipped file, unzip it and copy all the files to the USB flash drive. Don’t place them inside any other folders.

Plug the USB flash drive into the TV. Now it’s time to update. Turn on your TV and press the Home button, using your remote. Select Settings and hit Enter. Then pick Support and press Enter. Go to Software Update, press Enter, Select Update Now, and hit Enter again. You’ll need to select Yes if prompted.

What happens if you don’t update your TV?

Your Samsung smart TV’s functions will continue to work without a firmware update. It is even conceivable that you might never have a problem without updating your TV. The problems you may have, though, include apps not functioning properly (if they have been coded to work only with certain firmware versions) and missing security updates.

A security update is usually just a new list of the latest viruses and worms that hackers have been using to get at your personal data via the apps on your smart TV. Again, maybe nothing at all will happen. But since it is so easy to keep your firmware updated, why not give yourself every chance of keeping your confidential information off the dark web?

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