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How to update a Samsung TV

From Software updates, in the HARD wiki · Updated

To update a Samsung TV, go to Settings, then All Settings, then Support, select Software Update, then select Update Now. The TV installs any update it finds and restarts by itself.[1]

If you have never touched it, check that Auto Update is on in the same menu. Menu names can differ a little by model and year; Samsung’s page for your model code is the final word.

Update a Samsung TV by hand

  1. Make sure the TV is connected to the internet.
  2. Go to Settings, then All Settings, then Support.
  3. Select Software Update.
  4. Select Update Now.
  5. Wait. Samsung says not to turn the TV off until the update is finished; it restarts automatically. If there is no update, select OK to leave the menu.

Samsung warns that your video and audio settings might be reset to the defaults after an update, so check the picture and sound afterwards.[1]

Automatic updates

Go to Settings, All Settings, Support, Software Update and select Auto Update to turn it on. Select it again to turn it off. Samsung says it is switched on for you if you agreed to the Smart Hub Terms and Conditions during first setup. Updates install while you watch and take effect the next time the TV is turned on.[1]

If Software Update is greyed out

Samsung says the option is greyed out when a streaming app is running in the background. Switch to the TV source, or press Samsung TV Plus on the remote, then open Software Update again.[1] Update Now needs a working internet connection; with none, use a USB drive.

Update with a USB drive

  1. Use a USB drive that is empty and formatted FAT32.
  2. On a computer, download the newest firmware for your exact model from Samsung’s Download Center and unzip it.
  3. Copy the extracted files and folders to the top level of the drive, keeping their structure intact. Don’t put them inside another folder.
  4. Plug the drive into a USB port on the TV.
  5. Go to Settings, All Settings, Support, Software Update, Update Now, and select Yes if asked.

These are Samsung’s steps.[1]

Why it matters

A smart TV sits on your home network all day and is easy to forget. Like a router, it only stays safe if its software keeps being updated. Devices that never get updated, or that came with something nasty built in, are how homes end up lending their internet connection to criminals: see our alert on the Android TV box botnet Google disrupted. Samsung’s support page we cite does not list security fixes or version numbers. For the phones and computers in the house, see the latest versions and security releases we track, and our guides to updating a Roku and updating AirPods.

Questions

How do I update my Samsung TV?

Go to Settings, then All Settings, then Support. Select Software Update, then Update Now. The TV downloads and installs any update and restarts by itself when it finishes.

How do I turn on automatic updates on a Samsung TV?

Go to Settings, All Settings, Support, Software Update and select Auto Update. Select it again to turn it off. Samsung says it is on already if you agreed to the Smart Hub Terms and Conditions during first setup.

Why is Software Update greyed out on my Samsung TV?

Samsung says it is greyed out when a streaming app is running in the background. Switch to the TV source, or press Samsung TV Plus on the remote, then open Software Update again.

Can I update a Samsung TV with a USB drive?

Yes, if the TV is not connected to the internet. Use an empty FAT32 USB drive, download the newest firmware for your model from Samsung’s Download Center, unzip it and copy the extracted files and folders to the top level of the drive, keeping their structure and not putting them inside another folder. Plug it in, then go to Settings, All Settings, Support, Software Update, Update Now.

Will updating reset my picture and sound settings?

It can. Samsung warns that video and audio settings might be reset to their defaults after an update.

Do I need to turn the TV off after an update?

No. The TV restarts itself when the update finishes. Samsung says not to switch it off until then. With Auto Update, updates install while you watch and take effect the next time the TV is turned on.

References

  1. ^ Samsung US Support, “Update the software on your Samsung smart TV or monitor”, no update date shown, read 8 November 2026.