Updating your Sony TV is crucial to enjoy the latest features, enhanced performance, and improved security. You can update your Sony TV manually or enable the Auto-update feature to force it to update automatically. With Sony TVs operating on different platforms, such as Google TV, Android TV, and older systems, the steps for updating may differ. This section explains the steps for both manual and automatic updates in detail.
Prerequisite
Before you begin the updating process, ensure you meet the following requirements.
- Connect the Sony TV to a stable WiFi.
- Ensure all background apps are closed.
Steps to Update Your Sony Smart TV
Enabling automatic updates is the most efficient way to update your Sony TV. This ensures that your Sony Smart TV downloads and installs the latest firmware automatically.
Sony Google TV
- Press the Quick Settings (gear icon) button on your remote.
- Navigate to Settings and choose System.
- Tap on About and press System Software Update.
- Ensure the Automatically Check for Updates option is ON.
Sony Android TV
- Press the HELP button on your remote.
- Go to Status & Diagnostics and hit the System Software Update option.
- Confirm that Automatic Software Download or Automatically Check for Update is turned On.
Once this setting is activated, the Sony Android or Google TV will notify you whenever an update is available. Tap Update on the notification prompt to start the updation.
IMPORTANT: If you use the Sony BRAVIA W8K, X7, X74H, W8L, X75L, X74L, X75K, X64L, W8x5, X70L, BRAVIA 2 (S20), BRAVIA 3 (S30), W8, X77L, X74K, and X75H series models, you will automatically receive a software update notification when connected to the Internet. You just need to tap the notification and update the device.
How to Manually Update Sony TV
If automatic updates is turned off, you can manually check for updates and upgrade the device.
- Press the Settings or HELP button on the remote.
- Navigate to Status & Diagnostics / System / Device Preferences and select About.
- Click the System Software Update or Software Update option.
- Select Check for Updates.
- If an update is available, proceed with the on-screen instructions to install it.
Avoid turning off the Sony TV or unplugging it during the update process to prevent system errors.
Steps to Update Sony TV via USB Drive
Apart from updating the TV through the Settings menu, you can use a USB drive to install the latest firmware. You can use this method when your Sony TV fails to download updates directly. Before you begin, format your USB drive to the FAT 32, FAT16, exFAT, or NTFS format., and ensure it has adequate storage.
1. On a PC or laptop, go to the official Sony support website and provide your Sony TV model number.
2. Tap the Firmware Update option and download the software to your PC.
3. Copy the downloaded firmware files to the USB drive.
4. Turn On the Sony TV and plug the USB drive into the Sony TV’s USB port. Proceed with the on-screen instructions to begin the update.
5. During the update, the TV’s LED will blink. The process is complete when the LED stops blinking.
6. Remove the USB drive and reboot the Sony TV. The update will be applied.
Steps to Update Other Sony TV Models
If your Sony TV isn’t running on Android TV OS or Google TV OS, follow these techniques to install the latest firmware.
Update Sony TV via Internet Connection
If your TV is connected to the internet, updating the software is quick and straightforward.
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Depending on your TV model:
- If the Help icon appears in the top-right corner:
- Navigate to Help > Customer Support > Software Update > Network.
- If no Help icon is visible:
- Navigate to Settings > Customer Support or Setup > Software Update > Network.
- If the Help icon appears in the top-right corner:
- Select Yes or OK to start the installation.
- Wait for the upgrade to download and install. Avoid using the TV during this process.
Update Sony TV Without Internet
If your TV isn’t connected to the internet, follow this method.
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Navigate to Settings and choose Customer Support or Product Support.
- Select Automatic Software Update or Automatic Software Download, then turn it On.
The update occurs when your Sony TV is in standby mode, and the process may take up to 36 hours to complete, depending on the broadcast availability. During the update, the orange LED light on the TV will blink, and the TV may become temporarily unresponsive.
What Are the Common Problems While Updating Sony TV and How to Fix It
Common issues like incomplete updates, unresponsiveness of the TV, and frequent pauses during updates are usually caused by minor bugs. These problems can be resolved quickly with simple troubleshooting steps below.
- Ensure your Sony TV has an active internet connection. If the speed is inadequate, switch to a different internet.
- Power loss to your TV during the update will jam the installation process. So, ensure you have power back to your TV during the updation process.
- If your TV becomes unresponsive or faces issues while accessing the settings menu, use a USB drive and manually update your Sony TV’s firmware.
- If a new update fails to install on your TV, ensure your Sony TV is compatible with the firmware you intend to install.
FAQ
No, updating the firmware on your Sony TV does not update the apps.