固件(Firmware)对于许多类型的设备都是必不可少的。正是“内置软件”（微码）负责让我们的设备完成它们的工作，或者更准确地说，让它们开机并正常工作。固件(Firmware)，就像任何其他编程一样，可以随着时间的推移而改进。无论是修复错误还是为设备添加新功能，固件更新都可以让一切变得更好。您知道如何为您的设备进行固件更新吗？您想了解有关固件更新的更多信息以及为此应采取的步骤吗？继续阅读：
什么是固件更新？
我们使用的设备由两件事驱动：它们内部的硬件和使它们运行的固件。嵌入在设备上的固件是使硬件正常工作的软件。所有设备和硬件都有固件：智能手机有固件，平板电脑有固件，路由器有固件，甚至我们的智能电视(TVs)也有固件。固件(Firmware)由硬件组件制造商直接从工厂编程。如果您想了解更多关于什么是固件以及它为何如此重要的信息，本文提供了更多见解：什么是固件？它有什么作用？(What is firmware? What does it do?).
与任何软件一样，固件也可以改进：可以发现和修复错误，可以添加新功能。每当制造商为您拥有的其中一个设备发布新固件时，您都可以使用它并使用新版本升级其固件。这称为固件更新(firmware update)。
(Firmware)佳能(Canon)制造的打印机上的固件更新
但是，更新固件可能是一项危险的工作，如果没有以正确的方式完成，可能会使您的设备无法正常工作。或者，就像有些人会说的那样：糟糕的固件更新会将功能正常的硬件变成砖块。这就是为什么在本文的以下部分中，我们将向您展示在任何设备上更新固件的最佳实践。如果你小心并且做得对，风险应该是最小的。
第 1 步：了解您的设备型号及其使用的固件
首先(First)，您需要确定您的设备是否有可用的固件更新。为此，您首先需要知道设备的确切型号名称和设备上的当前固件。根据您拥有的设备类型，您可以通过多种方式找到有关设备型号及其固件版本的信息：
- 它印在您设备的包装盒上。
- 印在贴纸上或直接印在您的设备上，通常印在背面。
- 某些设备附带捆绑的管理软件。例如，三星(Samsung)的固态硬盘提供了一款名为Samsung Magician的应用程序，而英特尔的 SSD 则配备了英特尔固态硬盘工具箱(Intel Solid-State Drive Toolbox)。如果您的设备制造商提供这样的应用程序，它可能会显示您设备的型号和固件版本。
- 某些设备提供 Web 界面，例如路由器、防火墙、DVR(DVRs)或 IP 摄像机。此 Web 界面在其 Web 管理面板之一中显示其名称和固件版本。
- 某些具有显示屏的设备（例如智能电视(TVs)）会在带有设置的菜单中显示其型号名称和固件版本。
三星 SSD(Samsung SSD)的固件版本由三星魔术师(Samsung Magician)应用程序显示
步骤 2. 检查您的设备是否有可用的固件更新
一旦您知道设备上的确切型号名称和当前固件版本，就该检查是否有可用的更新。为此，请上网并查找设备制造商提供的支持网站。如果您不知道要访问哪个网站，您可以使用Google或Bing进行搜索，或者在设备手册中查找该网站的地址。它应该在那里列出。
然后，在制造商的支持网站上，查找驱动程序(Drivers)、固件(Firmware)或下载(Download)部分。检查您的设备是否在列表中，以及是否有任何新的固件更新可用。要非常小心地准确识别您的设备。名称中的单个字母或不同数字可能意味着您正在查看与您自己不同的模型。使用其他设备的固件更新设备的固件，即使只是略有不同，也可能导致设备变砖。
华硕(ASUS)主板的BIOS和固件(Firmware)网页
如果您发现固件版本比您设备上的固件版本新，请继续下载。要寻找的另一件事是您的设备制造商是否还提供用于编写新固件的专用软件工具。根据您的设备，某些制造商还可以包含可用于编写新固件的可执行文件。如果你是这种情况，那么你也应该下载这个工具。
步骤 3. 准备您的设备以进行固件更新
现在您已将新的固件更新存储在计算机上并准备写入您的设备，是时候为该过程准备设备了。您应该做一些基本的事情：
- 阅读随新固件更新分发的自述文件(Read the Readme file)。如果您看到自述文件(Readme)，请不要忽视它，因为它可能包含有关固件及其升级过程的基本信息。
- (Always use a reliable power supply)在固件更新过程中，始终为您的设备使用可靠的电源。如果您开始更新设备上的固件并且电源被切断，您的设备将会变砖。这就是为什么我们建议您使用连接到设备的不间断电源。即使您更新了智能电视上的固件，您也应该将其插入您的UPS。这是唯一 100% 安全的方法。
- 如果您使用计算机更新设备的固件，请确保计算机上没有运行第三方防病毒软件(no third-party antivirus running)。安装防病毒软件进行保护总是一件好事，除非在固件更新期间。它可能认为固件更新过程是恶意的，因此它可能会阻止更新。你不想要那个。暂时禁用您的防病毒软件，直到您完成固件升级。
- 如果您要使用USB记忆棒或任何其他类型的外部存储器更新设备上的固件，请确保使用质量良好的记忆棒。带有坏块的USB记忆棒或外部硬盘驱动器可能会导致固件更新失败。
步骤 4. 从您的设备备份当前固件
我们几乎准备好开始固件更新了。但是，在我们开始之前，还有一件更重要的事情要做。如果您要按本书执行此操作，则可能首先要像专业人员一样备份当前固件。如果固件更新过程出现任何问题，您仍然有机会恢复您的设备并将其恢复到工作状态。
并非所有设备都允许您保存其当前固件的副本，但如果您可以为设备上的固件进行备份，那就去做吧！
第 5 步。如何为您的设备进行固件更新
最后一步：更新设备的固件。根据设备类型及其制造商设计固件更新过程的方式，事情可能很简单，也可能很复杂。
对于您的普通无线路由器，您所要做的就是在您最喜欢的网络浏览器中启动其网络界面，前往固件设置，指向新固件的位置，然后开始更新过程。
华硕路由器固件升级
其他类型的设备具有不同的固件更新过程。例如，英特尔固态(Intel SSD)盘驱动器使用一个名为英特尔固态盘工具箱的工具，(Intel SSD Toolbox,)该工具易于使用。您需要做的就是前往固件更新(Firmware Update)部分并按更新(Update)。该应用程序可以完成所有工作，您只需重新启动 PC 即可完成固件升级。
英特尔固态硬盘工具箱(Intel Solid-State Drive Toolbox)可让您为英特尔 SSD进行固件更新(Intel SSDs)
对于您的智能电视或媒体播放器，更新固件通常意味着将新固件文件放在USB记忆棒上，将其插入您的设备，然后从设置菜单中按下升级(Upgrade)按钮。
LG 智能电视上的固件更新
对于您 PC 的主板固件（也称为BIOS），这可能意味着使用制造商推荐的特定方式，可以作为Windows应用程序或作为内置于UEFI BIOS的工具提供。但是，我们已经在之前关于如何升级BIOS的指南中讨论过这一点。您可以在这里找到它：如何更新主板的 BIOS(How to update the BIOS of your motherboard)。
华硕主板的 BIOS 更新
这些只是几个例子。您的设备的固件升级过程可能会有所不同。这完全取决于设备制造商提供的方法和工具。冒着重蹈覆辙的风险，请务必阅读(always read the documentation)设备制造商提供的文档！在那里您可以找到您需要采取的确切固件更新步骤。
您是否定期更新设备的固件？
固件(Firmware)是任何“智能”设备最关键的部分之一。正是这一点让硬件知道什么、何时以及如何去做它应该做的事情。就像任何软件一样，固件也可以改进。也许您的设备制造商会定期为其提供新的固件包。在这种情况下，您绝对应该尽可能频繁地升级设备的固件。但如果没有适当的安全措施或匆忙这样做，可能会导致灾难性的后果。在为您的设备进行任何固件更新之前，请确保您已完成我们在本指南中显示的每个步骤。它可以让你免于很多麻烦。
How to do a firmware update for any kind of device -
Firmware is essеntial for many types of dеvices. It's that "built-in software" (microcоdе) that'ѕ responsible for making our devices do their jobs, оr more precisely, make them power оn and function. Firmware, like any оther programming, can be improved over time. Whether it's for repairing bugs or adding new fυnctions to a device, firmware updates can make everything better. Do you know how to do a firmware updatе for your deνices? Would you like to learn more about firmware uрdates and the stepѕ you should take for that? Read оn:
What is a firmware update?
The devices we use are powered by two things: the hardware inside them and the firmware that makes them tick. The firmware embedded on a device is the software that makes the hardware work as it should. All devices and hardware have firmware: smartphones have firmware, tablets have firmware, routers have firmware, even our smart TVs have firmware. Firmware is programmed by the manufacturers of hardware components straight from the factory. If you want to learn more about what firmware is and why it's essential, this article provides additional insight: What is firmware? What does it do?.
Like any software, firmware can also be improved: bugs can be found and repaired, new features can be added. Whenever a manufacturer releases new firmware for one of its devices that you own, you can take it and upgrade its firmware with the new version. That's called a firmware update.
Firmware update on a printer made by Canon
However, updating the firmware can be a dangerous job that, if not done the right way, can render your device non-functional. Or, like some would say: bad firmware updates turn functioning hardware into bricks. That's why, in the following sections of this article, we're going to show you the best practices for updating the firmware on any device. If you're careful and you do it right, the risks should be minimal.
Step 1. Know the model of your device and what firmware it uses
First of all, you need to find out if there is a firmware update available for your device. To do that, you first need to know your device's exact model name and the current firmware on it. Depending on what kind of device you have, you can find information about the model of your device and its firmware version in various ways:
- It is printed on the package box of your device.
- Printed on a sticker or directly onto your device, usually on its backside.
- Some devices come with bundled administration software. For instance, solid-state drives from Samsung offer an app called Samsung Magician, and Intel's SSDs come with Intel Solid-State Drive Toolbox. If the manufacturer of your device offers such an app, it probably shows the model of your device and the firmware version on it.
- Some devices offer a web interface, like routers, firewalls, DVRs, or IP cameras. This web interface shows their name and firmware version in one of their web administration panels.
- Some devices that have a display, like smart TVs, show their model name and their firmware version inside their menus with settings.
The firmware version of a Samsung SSD is shown by the Samsung Magician app
Step 2. Check if there is a firmware update available for your device
Once you know the exact model name and the current firmware version on your device, it's time to check whether an update is available. To do that, go online and look for the support website offered by your device's manufacturer. If you don't know which website to go to, you can either search with Google or Bing or look for the website's address on your device's manual. It should be listed there.
Then, on the manufacturer's support website, look for a Drivers, Firmware, or Download section. Check if your device is listed and whether there are any new firmware updates available. Be very careful to identify your device precisely. A single letter or different number in its name can mean that you're looking at a different model than your own. Updating the firmware of your device with that from another device, even if only slightly different, can likely lead to a bricked device.
The BIOS & Firmware webpage of a motherboard made by ASUS
If you find a firmware version that's newer than the one on your device, go ahead and download it. Another thing to look for is whether your device's manufacturer also provides a dedicated software tool for writing the new firmware. Depending on your device, some manufacturers can also include an executable file that you can use to write the new firmware. If that's the case for you, then you should also download this tool.
Step 3. Prepare your device for the firmware update
Now that you have the new firmware update stored on your computer and ready to be written to your device, it's time to prepare the device for this process. There are a few essential things that you should do:
- Read the Readme file that is distributed with the new firmware update. If you see a Readme, don't overlook it, as it probably contains essential information about the firmware and its upgrade procedure.
- Always use a reliable power supply for your device during the firmware update process. If you start updating the firmware on your device and the power is cut off, your device will be bricked. That's why we recommend you to use an uninterruptible power supply connected to your device. Even if you update the firmware on your smart TV - you should plug it into your UPS. It's the only 100% safe way to do it.
- If you use a computer to update a device's firmware, make sure that the computer has no third-party antivirus running on it. Having an antivirus installed for protection is always a good thing, except during firmware updates. It might think that the firmware update process is malicious, and, as such, it could block the update. You don't want that. Temporarily disable your antivirus software until you finish the firmware upgrade.
- If you're going to update the firmware on a device using a USB memory stick or any other kind of external memory, make sure that you use a memory stick of good quality. A USB memory stick or an external hard drive with bad blocks might lead to a failed firmware update.
Step 4. Backup the current firmware from your device
We're almost ready to start the firmware update. But, before we get to that, there's one more important thing to do. If you're going to do this by the book, you might first want to make a backup of your current firmware, like a professional. If anything goes wrong with the firmware update process, you still have a chance to recover your device and bring it to a working condition.
Not all devices allow you to save a copy of their current firmware, but if you can make a backup for the firmware on your device, do it!
Step 5. How to do a firmware update for your device
The final step: update your device's firmware. Depending on the device type and how its manufacturer designed the firmware update process, things can be either easy or complicated.
For your average wireless router, all you have to do is launch its web interface in your favorite web browser, head to the firmware settings, point to the new firmware's location, and start the update process.
Firmware upgrade for an ASUS router
Other types of devices have different firmware update processes. For example, Intel SSD drives use a tool called Intel SSD Toolbox, which is easy to use. All you need to do is head to the Firmware Update section and press Update. The app does everything, and all you have to do is reboot your PC for the firmware upgrade to finish.
Intel Solid-State Drive Toolbox lets you do a firmware update for Intel SSDs
For your smart TV or your media player, updating firmware usually means placing the new firmware file(s) on a USB memory stick, plugging it into your device, and pressing an Upgrade button from the settings menu.
Firmware update on an LG smart TV
And for your PC's motherboard firmware (aka BIOS), it could mean using specific ways recommended by the manufacturer, available either as an app for Windows or as a tool that's built into your UEFI BIOS. But, we've already talked about this in a previous guide on how to upgrade the BIOS. You can find it here: How to update the BIOS of your motherboard.
BIOS update for an ASUS motherboard
These are just a few examples. The firmware upgrade process might be different for your device. It all depends on the approach and the tools offered by the manufacturer of your device. With the risk of repeating ourselves, always read the documentation provided by the manufacturer of your device! That's the place where you'll find the exact firmware update steps you'll need to take.
Do you update the firmware of your devices regularly?
Firmware is one of the most critical parts of any "smart" device. It's that thing that makes hardware know what, when, and how to do the things it's supposed to do. And just like any software, firmware too can be improved. Maybe the manufacturer of your device offers new firmware packages for it regularly. In that case, you should definitely upgrade the firmware of your device as often as possible. But doing so without proper safety measures or doing it in a hurry can lead to disastrous results. Before doing any firmware updates for your devices, make sure that you walked through every step we've shown in this guide. It may save you from a lot of trouble.
