How to perform a software update
Updating the TV to the latest software allows you access to the newest features and fixes specific problems.
IMPORTANT: Read the instructions carefully or you could end up causing the TV to become unresponsive or require a repair.
Before you start
- Your TV must be connected to the internet to receive and install software updates directly. However, if your TV doesn't have internet access, you can also download the update file to a computer, extract the update file to a USB flash drive, and use the flash drive to install the update on your TV. Depending on the model, you may also be able to receive the latest software via broadcast.
- The steps to update the software differ depending on the menu system on your television. Choose your TV model type below. If you need to confirm your TV model type, refer to the How to check if your BRAVIA TV is a Google TV™, Android TV™, or other TV article.
Google TV and Android TV models
To make the most out of your Android TV or Google TV, you should make sure to always keep it up to date with the latest firmware and software updates from Sony and Google. Updates for your TV will include key features and applications, as well as bug fixes and feature improvements. Find out more about the benefits of software updates in the article What are the benefits of restarting TV and software updates? There are three ways to update:
- Perform a software update automatically via the Internet (Recommend)
- Perform a software update manually via the Internet
- Perform a software update using a USB flash drive (without an Internet connection)
Perform a software update automatically via the Internet (Recommend)
To keep the software updated to the most current version, we recommend that the Automatically check for update or Automatic software download option in the TV menu be set to On. When that option is turned ON, a notification message will be displayed when the TV receives an update.
1. Set Automatically check for update or Automatic software download to ON
Select your model type below for the steps to check and receive software updates:
Note: For BRAVIA 3 (S30), BRAVIA 2 (S20), W8x5, W8L, X64L, X70L, X74L, X75L, X77L, W8K, X74K, X75K, W8, X7, X74H and X75H series models, proceed to the 2. Download and Install updates directly from the Internet section below. Because these models always receive software updates automatically, no settings changes are required.
- For Google TV models: On the remote control, press the or (Quick Settings) button, and select (Settings) → System → About → System software update → Check the Automatically check for updates setting is set to ON.
- For Android TV models: On the remote control, press the HELP button, and select Status & Diagnostics → System software update → Check if the Automatically check for update or Automatically software download setting is set to ON.
Note: If Status & Diagnostics is not shown, skip it.
- For at any time by pressing the HELP button on the remote control and selecting Privacy Setting.
- If the Automatically check for update or Automatic software download setting is turned OFF, and you want to check if there is a new update immediately, refer to the Perform a software update manually via the Internet section.
2. Download and Install updates directly from the Internet
WARNING! There is a risk of hardware damage. During the installation of the update, do not press any buttons, power off the TV, or disconnect it from the AC power outlet. Loss of power during the installation of the firmware update may cause the TV set to become unresponsive or require repair.
Follow the instruction on the notification and the screen message to proceed to download and install software updates with your TV. If you need more information, choose your TV model or series below.
Note: The notification message and its position may be slightly different depending on the model. The image below is an example.
More information depending on the models:
For models that do receive a Notification message, the message will appear at the upper right of the screen.Select UPDATE, and follow the onscreen instructions to start the download and installation.
Notes:- The software update will take about 15 to 30 minutes and you can use the TV as usual during the update. Even if you turn the TV off, the update will still install.
- When you turn on the TV after an update is completed, the TV will start with the new software. If you turn off the TV after an update, the remote control may not work for about 2 to 3 minutes.
- If the Notification message disappears and you want to update the software immediately, refer to the Perform a software update manually via the Internet section.
- Note for exclusion models: The following models have different specifications, so please check the information for each model below.
BRAVIA 3 (S30), BRAVIA 2 (S20), W8x5, W8L, X64L, X70L, X74L, X75L, X77L, W8K, X74K, X75K, W8, X7, X74H and X75H seriesWhen you see the Notification message, on the remote control, press and hold the HOME button and follow the onscreen instructions to select the System software update banner.
Notes:
When your TV displays System update is ready, select Restart Now to reboot the TV with the new software.
- The software update will take about 15 to 30 minutes.
- Except for BRAVIA 3 (S30): During installing an update, you cannot use the TV during the update, and a screen with an update icon will be displayed.
- For BRAVIA 3 (S30): You can use the TV as usual during the update.
- If the Notification message disappears and you want to update the software immediately, refer to the Perform a software update manually via the Internet section.
Select Details — Download, and follow the onscreen instructions. Agree to the Sony Privacy Policy if it is displayed.
Notes:- The software update will take about 15 minutes.
- If the Notification message disappears and you want to update the software immediately, refer to the Perform a software update manually via the Internet section.
Select UPDATE NOW if the TV will ask if you wish to proceed with the download.
Notes:
- You cannot use your TV during the update.
- After the download finishes, your TV prompts if you want to install the update. Select OK to start the installation.
- The software update will take about 30 minutes. An update icon will appear on your TV screen during this time.
- If the Notification message disappears and you want to update the software immediately, refer to the Perform a software update manually via the Internet section.
Perform a software update manually via the Internet
1. Check for updates manually
- For BRAVIA 3 (S30), BRAVIA 2 (S20), W8x5, W8L, X64L, X70L, X74L, X75L, X77L, W8K, X74K, X75K, W8, X7, X74H and X75H: On the remote control, press the or (Quick Settings) button, and select (Settings) → System or Device Preferences → About → System Update → Check for update.
- For other Google TV and Android TV models:
- On the remote control, press the HELP button, or press the (Input) button, and select Help.
Note: If Help is not shown in the Input selection screen, select Edit and add Help. - The next steps will depend on your TV menu options:
- Select Status & Diagnostics → System Software Update → Software Update.
- Select System software update → Software update or Check for a system software update.
- On the remote control, press the HELP button, or press the (Input) button, and select Help.
After the above steps, the TV will display the screen below to check for new software updates.
Note: When checking for updates, if the Your software is up to date message is displayed, there is no need to perform an update.
2. Download and Install updates manually
WARNING! There is a risk of hardware damage. During the installation of the update, do not press any buttons, power off the TV, or disconnect it from the AC power outlet. Loss of power during the installation of the firmware update may cause the TV set to become unresponsive or require repair.
If there is a new software update found, the TV will display a Software update is ready message. Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the update. The procedure and the behaviour of the TV differ depending on the model.
Perform a software update using a USB flash drive (without an Internet connection)
WARNING! There is a risk of hardware damage. During the installation of the update, do not press any buttons, power off the TV, or disconnect it from the AC power outlet. Loss of power during the installation of the firmware update may cause the TV set to become unresponsive or require repair.
If your TV doesn't have Internet access and/or you wish to do the update manually, you can do so using a USB flash drive, by downloading the update from the Sony support website.
Notes on the USB flash drive- The USB flash drive must meet the following conditions:
- The drive must be formatted in the FAT16, FAT32, exFAT, or NTFS format.
- The drive will need to have sufficient free space to accommodate the update file.
- The update file must be saved in the root directory of the drive.
- The update can fail even when using a USB flash drive that meets the above conditions, depending on the size and directory structure of other files on the drive.
- If the update does fail, delete other files from the drive and try again, with only the update file saved in the root folder of the USB flash drive.
- If the update still fails, format the USB flash drive to FAT32 and try again.
- If the update fails again, try using a different USB flash drive formatted in FAT32.
To update using a USB flash drive, proceed as follows:
- Go to the Sony support website.
- Type your TV model name in the search box.
If you do not know what your model number is, please check the sticker at the lower left corner of your TV's back panel.
- Go to the Downloads section and proceed to the update page.
- Follow the instructions on the website to download the update to a USB flash drive, and perform the update on your TV.
Other TV models
WARNING! There is a risk of hardware damage. During the installation of the update, do not press any buttons, power off the TV, or disconnect it from the AC power outlet. Loss of power during the installation of the firmware update may cause the TV set to become unresponsive or require repair.
- If the TV is connected to the Internet
- If the TV is not connected to the Internet
- How to verify the latest system software is installed
If the TV is connected to the Internet
By executing a Software Update, your TV immediately obtains the latest software from the Internet and then updates. The steps to update the software differ depending on the menu system on your television.
Note: A Software Update Required message may appear when trying to access Internet video services. If this message is displayed, follow the steps below to update the software on the TV.
Start the process by pressing the Home button on the remote control. Depending on what is shown on your screen, follow the appropriate steps below:
- If (Help) is displayed in the top-right corner of the screen:
- Select (Help).
- Select Customer Support.
- Select Software Update.
- Select Network.
NOTE: If Network is not shown, skip this step. - Select Yes or OK to start installing the update.
- If (Help) is NOT displayed in the top-right corner of the screen:
- Select Settings.
- Select Customer Support, Setup, or Product Support.
- Select Software Update.
- Select Network.
NOTE: If Network is not shown, skip this step. - Select Yes or OK to start installing the update.
- If a Software Update option is not available in your menu:
Some older TVs do not have the ability to force the TV to search for a software update. With these TVs, there may only be an option to receive an Automatic Software Update. Be sure this option is set to On if available. When this option is set to On, the TV will automatically search for software updates when the TV is in standby mode and you will be prompted to install the update once it is downloaded.- Press the HOME button on the remote control.
- Select Settings.
- Select Product Support or Customer supports.
- Select Automatic Software Update or Automatic Software Download.
- Select On.
- Press the Enter button.
Note: To avoid delays in receiving the latest updates, set the TV to receive an automatic software update.
If the TV is not connected to the Internet
- Receive the latest software via broadcast waves: By setting Automatic software update to On, the latest software in its release stage is automatically transmitted to the TV via broadcast and the software updates. To receive an automatic software update, on the remote control, press the HOME button, and select Settings — Customer support or Product Support → Automatic Software Update or Automatic Software Download → On.
Notes:- Automatic software updates are only available on certain TV models.
- The clock needs to be set. The TV clock may be lost when the software is updated. Reset the clock if needed.
- The software updates when the TV is in standby mode. The software update will usually be completed in the next 24 to 36 hours.
- The orange LED light on the front of the TV will flash and the TV will not respond to the remote or to the buttons on the control panel until the update is completed.
- After the TV has been updated, perform a Refresh Internet Content procedure in order to receive the latest Internet video apps.
- You first MUST confirm the TV has the latest software version. Otherwise, the Refresh Internet Content procedure will delay the Automatic Software Update by another 24 hours.
- A forced update is available for certain 2010 model televisions.
- Download and Install updates using a USB flash drive: If you want to update the software now, you can download a firmware update for free from the Sony Support website, then save it to a USB stick and install it on your TV.
Notes:- A firmware update via our support pages is only available to models with USB software update capability.
- For models without USB software update capability (often older models), service assistance is required.
How to verify the latest system software is installed
- From the Settings menu or the Help menu of the TV, check the current software version on your TV: On the remote control, press the HOME button, and select Settings or Help → Customer support or Product Support.
- Compare the latest software available with the one on your TV, and if the available software is newer, download and install the update. Downloads are posted on your model support page.
Note: The screenshots provided here are for reference only. The actual screen might differ according to your country/region, model, or firmware version.
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