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How to update your TV's software, brand by brand

Every smart TV can update itself over the internet, and most can do it automatically. The setting is usually under Support or About. A TV that is not online can be updated from a USB stick with a file from the maker's website.

Updated 18 October 2026

Where to find the update

TVCheck for an update now
SamsungSettings, All Settings, Support, Software Update, Update Now
LG, 2020 and newerAll Settings, Support, Software Update, Check for Updates
LG, 2019 and olderAll Settings, General, About This TV, Check for Updates
Sony with Google TVQuick Settings, Settings, System, About, System software update
Sony with Android TVHELP button, Status & Diagnostics, System software update
Google TV (TCL and others)Settings, System, About, System update
Philips with Google TVHome, Dashboard, Settings, System, About, System update, Internet
Hisense with VIDAASettings, Support, System Upgrade, Check Firmware Upgrade
Roku TVSettings, System, System update, Check now

During any update, do not switch off or unplug the TV. Samsung, LG, Sony and Philips all warn about this. The screen may go dark while the TV restarts. Sony says an update takes about 15 to 30 minutes, and that losing power during it can leave the TV unresponsive or in need of repair.

Samsung

Settings, All Settings, Support, Software Update, Update Now. The TV restarts by itself when it is done. In the same menu you can switch on Auto Update. Some app updates come with the TV update, and others install on their own.

  • Software Update is greyed out? Samsung says a streaming app is running in the background. Switch to a TV channel or an HDMI input and try again.
  • By USB: download the upgrade file for your exact model from Samsung's support site and unzip it. Copy the files to an empty USB stick formatted as FAT32, not inside another folder, and do not rename the folder. Then Software Update, Update Now. Do not pull the stick or the power during the update.
  • 2020 models showing a USB error icon: Samsung says the update finishes only after the TV restarts twice. If you pulled the stick too early, put it back in.

Our Samsung model number guide shows where to find the exact model.

LG

To see your webOS version, press the Settings or Mute button on the remote three times. On 2020 and newer models the update is under All Settings, Support, Software Update, Check for Updates, and Auto Update in the same menu. On 2019 and older models it is under All Settings, General, About This TV, Check for Updates.

  • During the update: do not unplug the TV or disconnect it from the internet. If the screen goes dark, it may be restarting. LG says to wait about 5 to 10 minutes.
  • It does not update by itself? LG says a changed region setting can stop updates, even when the TV is online.
  • The download stalls? Unplug the TV, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in, and try again from Software Update.
  • By USB: format the stick as FAT32 or NTFS. Create a folder named LG_DTV in its root and put the .epk file inside. A .bin file goes straight into the root, without a folder.

Our LG model number guide tells you the year and webOS version of your TV.

Sony

  • Google TV: Quick Settings, Settings, System, About, System software update. Check that Automatically check for updates is On.
  • Android TV: press HELP, then Status & Diagnostics, System software update.
  • Some models always update by themselves and have no setting for it, among them the BRAVIA 2, BRAVIA 3 and BRAVIA 6 (A60).
  • By USB: the stick must be formatted as FAT16, FAT32, exFAT or NTFS, and the file must sit in its root folder. If it fails, remove the other files, then format the stick as FAT32, then try a different stick.

Google TV and Android TV: TCL, Philips and others

  • System update: Settings, System, About, System update, Check for update. On some TCL models it is under Device Preferences, About.
  • Philips: Home, Dashboard, Settings, System, About, System update, then Internet, which Philips recommends. The picture goes away during the update, and the TV switches off and on. Do not press Power while it runs.
  • Apps on Google TV: Play Store, your profile icon, Manage apps & games, Updates.
  • Apps on Android TV: Play Store, My apps, settings, and switch on Auto-update apps.

Hisense and Roku TV

  • Hisense with VIDAA: Settings, Support, System Upgrade. There you can switch on Auto Firmware Upgrade and System App Auto Upgrade, check for an update now, or upgrade from USB. The 2021 manual says to use the TV's USB 2.0 port for that.
  • Roku TV: Settings, System, System update, Check now. Roku checks by itself when the TV switches on and every 24 to 36 hours, and says a restart often solves update problems.

When updates stop

An update cannot bring back an app that has ended support for your TV. YouTube drops support for older sets, as our guide to YouTube not working on a TV explains, and our page on apps that disappeared from Sony TVs lists every shutdown Sony has published. For those apps, Sony itself recommends a streaming device.

Questions people ask

How do I update my Samsung TV?

Go to Settings, All Settings, Support, Software Update, Update Now. The TV restarts by itself when it is done. In the same menu you can switch on Auto Update. If Software Update is greyed out, a streaming app is running in the background: switch to a TV channel or an HDMI input first.

How do I update my LG TV?

On 2020 and newer models go to All Settings, Support, Software Update, Check for Updates, and switch on Auto Update there. On 2019 and older models it is under All Settings, General, About This TV. Do not unplug the TV during the update; LG says the restart can take 5 to 10 minutes.

How do I update my TV with a USB stick?

Download the update file for your exact model from the maker's support site. Samsung needs an empty FAT32 stick with the files not inside another folder. LG wants FAT32 or NTFS and the .epk file in a folder named LG_DTV. Sony accepts FAT16, FAT32, exFAT or NTFS, with the file in the root.

Why is the software update greyed out on my TV?

On a Samsung, because a streaming app is running in the background. Switch to a TV channel or an HDMI input and the option comes back.

How long does a TV software update take?

Sony says about 15 to 30 minutes, and LG says to allow 5 to 10 minutes for the restart at the end. Do not switch off or unplug the TV meanwhile: Sony warns that losing power during an update can leave the TV unresponsive or in need of repair.

Sources

Every step on this page comes from the makers' own support pages and manuals: