How to perform a software update on your TV

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. Refer to the following article for more about the benefits of software updates: What are the benefits of restarting TV and software updates? 

There are three ways to update:

• Perform a software update automatically via the Internet (Recommended option)
• 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 (Recommended option)

To ensure your TV is using the latest software version, we recommend setting the Automatically check for update or Automatic software download option in the TV menu 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 S (S30), BRAVIA 2 (S20), BRAVIA 2 II (S20), W8x5_W8x6, W8L, X64L_X70L_X74L_X75L, X77L_X78L, W8K, X74K_X75K, W8, X7, and X74H_X75H series models, proceed to the following section: 2. Download and Install updates directly from the Internet. Because these models always receive software updates automatically, no changes to the settings are required.

• For Google TV models: 

1. On the remote control, press the  or  (Quick Settings) button.
2. Select  (Settings) →  System → About → System software update.
3. Make sure the Automatically check for updates setting is set to ON.

• For Android TV models: 

1. On the remote control, press the HELP button.
2. Select Status & Diagnostics → System software update. 
3. Make sure the Automatically check for update or Automatic software download setting is set to ON.

Note: If Status & Diagnostics is not shown, skip this step.

• Depending on your TV model, you may be required to agree to the Sony Privacy Policy in order to receive software downloads:
  1. Press the HELP button on the remote control.
  2. Select Privacy Settings.
  3. Review and agree to the Sony Privacy Policy.
• 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

Follow the instruction on the screen or Notification message to proceed to download and install software updates for 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:

• Note for exclusion models: The following models have different specifications. Please check the information for each model below.
  BRAVIA 3 (S30), BRAVIA 2 (S20), BRAVIA 2 II (S20), W8x5_W8x6, W8L, X64L_X70L_X74L_X75L, X77L_X78L, W8K, X74K_X75K series
  
  When you see the Notification message, press and hold the HOME button on the remote control. Follow the on-screen instructions to select the System software update banner.
  
  When your TV displays System update is ready, select Restart Now to reboot the TV with the new software.
  Notes:

  • The software update will take about 15 to 30 minutes.
  • For models other than BRAVIA 3 (S30) and BRAVIA 2 II (S20): During the installation, a screen with an update icon will be displayed. You cannot use the TV while the update is installing.
  • For BRAVIA 3 (S30) and BRAVIA 2 II (S20): 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.
  W8, X7, X74H_X75H series
  
  Select Details → Download. Follow the on-screen 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.

Perform a software update manually via the Internet

1. Check for updates manually

• For BRAVIA 3 (S30), BRAVIA 2 (S20), BRAVIA 2 II (S20), W8x5_W8x6, W8L, X64L_X70L_X74L_X75L, X77L_X78L, W8K, X74K_X75K, W8, X7, and X74H_X75H Series: 

1. On the remote control, press the  or  (Quick Settings) button.
2. Select  (Settings) → System or Device Preferences → About → System Update → Check for update.

• For other Google TV and Android TV models:
  1. On the remote control, press the HELP or  (Input) button.
  2. Select Help.
     Note: If Help is not shown in the Input selection screen, select  (Edit) and add Help. 
  3. 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.

After following these 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 by downloading the update from the Sony support website and saving it to 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. Follow the steps below and then save it to a USB stick and install it on your TV:

1. Go to the Sony support website.
2. Type your TV model name in the search box.
   
   If you don't know what your model number is, please check the sticker at the lower left corner of your TV's back panel. Examples of correct model names are: KD-55X9305C | KD-85X9505B | KDL-40W905A.
   
3. Go to the Downloads section and select the Firmware update link. 
   
4. Follow the instructions on the website to download the update to a USB flash drive, and perform the update on your TV.

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 check if your TV already has the latest system software 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 proceeds to update. The steps for this 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:
  1. Select  (Help) → Customer Support → Software Update.
  2. Select Network.
     Note: If Network is not shown, skip this step.
  3. Select Yes or OK to start installing the update.

• If  (Help) is NOT displayed in the top-right corner of the screen:
  1. Select Settings → Customer Support, Setup, or Product Support → Software Update.
  2. Select Network.
     Note: If Network is not shown, skip this step.
  3. 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. These TVs may only display an Automatic Software Update option. 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. You will be prompted to install the update once it is downloaded. 

1. Press the HOME button on the remote control.
2. Select Settings → Product Support or Customer Support.
3. Select Automatic Software Update or Automatic Software Download → On.
4. 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.
• To receive an automatic software update:
  1. Press the HOME button on the remote control.
  2. Select Settings → Customer support or Product Support.
  3. Select Automatic Software Update or Automatic Software Download → On.
     Notes:
     • Automatic software updates are only available on certain TV models.
     • 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 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. You can 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 check if your TV already has the latest system software installed

1. From the Settings menu or the Help menu of the TV, check the current software version on your TV:
   • Press the HOME button on the remote control.
   • Select Settings or Help → Customer support or Product Support.
2. Compare the latest software available with the one on your TV. If the available software is newer, download and install the update. Downloads are posted on your model support page.