What is a firmware update and why is it important?

While you're busy keeping Windows and antivirus patches in check, there is a deeper layer running under the OS called firmware. It is just as critical, and if ignored, even more likely to wreck things.

The scale is massive. IoT devices alone are set to grow from 19.8 billion in 2025 to 40.6 billion by 2034. But the firmware challenge is not exclusive to smart devices. Every network-connected equipment runs firmware: machines on an automated production line, business printers with WiFi, servers, managed switches, and access points.

Each device runs on embedded code that needs to be updated to avoid future failures.

This guide explains all about firmware update - what it is, the types, common methods, and more. Read along till the end to find out.

What are firmware updates and how are they different from software?

Firmware is a type of low-level software permanently programmed into a device's read-only memory, serving as the essential instructions that control how the hardware operates. 

It initializes the hardware when the device powers on and enables higher-level software, like an operating system, to interact with the physical components. 

Think of it as the invisible conductor that ensures your system boots up and behaves correctly from the second it is turned on. It lives in the flash memory chips, soldered directly into the circuit board. Unlike regular software on a hard drive, firmware is built to stay put even when the power is off. 

Software, on the other hand, runs on top of firmware and includes operating systems, applications, and programs that users interact with. It is stored on hard drives or in the cloud and can be easily installed, updated, or removed. 

Firmware is a foundational component of every device your clients rely on, and software is what your clients see and actually use. Both are important, and understanding the difference between the two will help you use the right approach for each. 

Let’s look at some key differences between firmware and software.

Missing a critical firmware update can lead to security vulnerabilities, hardware malfunctions, and compatibility issues that are hard to diagnose or fix. And unlike software, the damage from neglect is not always reversible. 

How do firmware updates work and why do they matter?

Firmware updates are not like the regular OS or app updates. They go deeper, rewriting the embedded code that tells your hardware how to function at the most basic level. This code sits in the device’s non-volatile memory and runs before the operating system even loads.

How do firmware updates work?

When you install a firmware update, the device will: 

1. Validate the update file to ensure that it is genuine and not tampered with.

2. Erase the old firmware code from flash memory.

3. Write the new version directly into the hardware.

4. Reboot to complete the process.

As this update changes critical system instructions, there are some risks associated, especially in case of a power failure or a corrupted firmware update file. In that scenario, your device can become permanently non-functional.

Here’s why firmware updates are critical:

• Security vulnerabilities below the OS layer - Firmware flaws are prime targets for attackers because they can bypass many OS-level protections. Unlike typical software patches, firmware updates address threats that antivirus and endpoint detection systems cannot detect or prevent.

• Hardware bugs - Many operational issues, such as random printer jams, intermittent network drops, or hardware malfunctions, trace back to firmware bugs. Firmware updates often include essential fixes that resolve these hidden hardware-level problems, improving device reliability and client satisfaction.

• Compatibility issues - Software and hardware evolve constantly. Firmware acts as the interface between new software and physical hardware. Firmware updates ensure seamless interoperability across evolving IT environments.

• Performance optimization - Firmware updates fix hardware bugs, improve device speed, optimize power consumption, and enhance overall efficiency. Manufacturers often release updates that optimize for longer device lifespan.

These firmware vulnerabilities and issues exist across every device in your clients' networks. The challenge for MSPs isn't just understanding why firmware updates matter, but knowing how to deliver them effectively.

Common methods to deliver firmware updates

Unlike OS updates that flow through centralized patching systems, firmware updates come through different channels. The delivery method depends on the device type, vendor preferences, and environment constraints.

Every vendor uses different delivery methods, file formats, and update processes. This fragmentation is why standardized processes and automation tools are important. As an MSP, building repeatable workflows, maintaining detailed documentation, and executing controlled firmware update rollouts is key.

Vendor utilities

Vendor utilities are proprietary software tools provided by hardware manufacturers like Dell Command, Lenovo System Update, HP, etc. These tools scan the system, identify outdated firmware or drivers, and automate the download and installation of the latest versions.

• Runs on the host operating system

• Offers a user-friendly interface for managing updates

• Ensures compatibility with the hardware by sourcing updates directly from the vendor

• May include scheduling or rollback options

Use case: Best for enterprise IT environments or end-users who prefer guided, automated updates with minimal risk.

Over-the-Air (OTA)

Over-the-Air updates are delivered wirelessly, usually via WiFi or cellular networks. The device checks a remote server for updates, downloads the firmware package, and applies it, often requiring a reboot.

• Common in smartphones, IoT devices, Smart TVs, and automotive systems

• Updates are encrypted and digitally signed to ensure authenticity and integrity

• Can be staged in the background and installed with user consent or automatically

Use case: Ideal for devices that are not easily accessible or distributed across many locations 

Web interface

Some networked devices, like routers, NAS devices, and IP cameras, include a web-based interface that allows administrators to upload firmware files manually. The user logs into the device’s admin portal, navigates to the firmware update section, and selects a firmware update file to be downloaded from the vendor’s website.

• Requires manual intervention and file management

• Often includes validation checks like signature verification

• Updates take effect after a reboot or system restart

Use case: Common for consumers and small business hardware where network access is available, but automated tools are not in use.

Bootable media

Firmware can also be updated via bootable media, such as a USB flash drive or CD/DVD. The update utility is run outside the primary operating system, often via a minimal OS or DOS-like environment.

• Typically involves creating a bootable disk with the firmware image and installer.

• Used when in-OS updates are not possible or safe (e.g., BIOS/UEFI updates).

• May require BIOS configuration changes to allow USB boot.

Use case: Often used for low-level firmware updates (BIOS, RAID controllers) or in systems with no network connectivity.

What types of firmware updates do MSPs deal with?

Here's what you'll encounter in real client environments:

Each device category calls for a different level of urgency and oversight. Critical infrastructure, like network gear and servers, should be prioritized for proactive testing and rapid patching. 

Office equipment updates can be bundled into scheduled maintenance windows without much risk. IoT devices, however, require vigilant tracking and frequent validation, their support lifecycles vary wildly between vendors, and many lack consistent update mechanisms. 

Without proper planning, these devices can become the weakest link.

What goes wrong when firmware updates are skipped or mismanaged?

Let’s be honest, firmware updates aren’t the most glamorous part of the job. But for MSPs, skipping them isn’t just a small oversight. It opens the door to bigger problems that impact everything from security to service delivery. 

Here’s what can happen if firmware updates aren’t part of your routine:

1. Security: Exposed attack surfaces
   Unpatched firmware is a prime entry point for attackers. Vulnerabilities at this layer bypass traditional endpoint protection tools. One forgotten access point or unmanaged IoT sensor could give attackers a foothold inside a secure network.

2. Reliability: Devices that misbehave and burn time
   Clients don’t care about firmware or software; they just want stable systems. Random disconnects, failed backups, or non-responsive peripherals often trace back to buggy firmware. Without updates, you’ll spend billable hours fixing avoidable issues.

3. Support: Extended downtime and harder troubleshooting
   Firmware problems often masquerade as hardware failures. If you're unaware of a device’s update history, diagnosing the issue takes longer, prolonging outages and frustrating clients who expect quick resolutions.

4. Compliance: Missed audit requirements
   Regulations like NIST, ISO 27001, and HIPAA now expect firmware to be part of patch management. Lack of documented firmware updates can jeopardize your clients’ compliance status, and by extension, your credibility.

5. Cost: Permanent hardware damage from failed updates
   Firmware updates are unforgiving. A power outage or corrupted file during an update can brick a device entirely. Without preparation or rollback strategies, you're stuck with replacement costs.

6. Visibility: Unknown devices lurking on the network
   IoT and edge devices often fall outside standard IT inventories. Without a process to track and update their firmware, they become the weakest link still connected, still vulnerable, and often forgotten.

What’s the right way to manage firmware updates in a business environment?

Managing firmware updates requires a structured approach that balances security needs with operational stability. Unlike software patches that can be rolled back, firmware updates rewrite critical low-level code with no safety net, making preparation essential.

• Always test before production deployment: Apply updates to non-critical devices or lab equipment first to catch compatibility issues and problematic versions. If dedicated test hardware isn't available, use the least critical device of each type as your testing ground.

• Schedule updates during controlled conditions: Firmware flashing needs uninterrupted power and careful timing. Plan updates during maintenance windows with UPS backup, never during business hours or when power disruptions are likely. A single power interruption can permanently brick devices.

• Avoid automatic firmware updates: Auto-updates bypass your testing process, happen on vendor schedules, and create emergency hardware replacements when they fail. Maintain control by managing updates manually through vendor utilities or web interfaces during planned maintenance windows.

• Document everything systematically: Track firmware versions across all devices, including easily forgotten IoT equipment, printers, and network gear. Log update dates, version changes, issues encountered, and resolutions. This creates accountability, supports compliance audits, and prevents future troubleshooting guesswork.

• Verify success immediately: After each update, confirm the device boots properly, displays the correct firmware version, and maintains full functionality. Many firmware updates fail silently, leaving devices in unstable states that cause problems weeks later.

This disciplined approach transforms firmware management from reactive firefighting into predictable maintenance that scales with your business.

How to verify if a firmware update was successful

Firmware updates can fail silently, leaving devices unstable or vulnerable. Verification methods vary by device type, each requiring specific checks to confirm successful installation and operation.

Network equipment (Routers, Switches, Access Points) 

Check the latest firmware version through the web interface or CLI commands like show version. Verify routing tables, VLAN configurations, and wireless settings survived the update.

Test connectivity between network segments and confirm that management protocols (SNMP, SSH) respond normally. Monitor for packet drops, increased latency, or connection timeouts that indicate firmware issues.

Servers and infrastructure (BIOS, RAID Controllers, BMC) 

Use system commands like wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion or vendor utilities to confirm version changes. 

Verify whether the server completes POST without errors and all hardware components appear in system diagnostics. Check that RAID arrays remain healthy, remote management interfaces (iDRAC, iLO) function properly, and temperature/power readings stay within normal ranges.

Workstations and laptops (BIOS, SSD, Thunderbolt) 

Confirm firmware versions through system information or vendor tools like Dell Command Update. Ensure that the system boots normally, all peripherals function correctly, and power management features operate as expected. 

Test USB-C/Thunderbolt connectivity, external display output, and verify that sleep/wake cycles work without issues.

Office equipment and IoT (Printers, Cameras, Sensors) 

Access device web interfaces or status displays to verify firmware versions. Test core functions like printing, scanning, or data collection to ensure the device performs its primary role. Check network connectivity, verify the device appears in network management systems, and confirm security settings weren't reset to defaults.

Document verification results for each device type, noting any performance changes or issues discovered. Failed firmware updates often cause intermittent problems that worsen over time if left unaddressed.

How to scale firmware updates without the chaos?

It's fairly straightforward to manage firmware for a few clients; the challenge is to do this at scale. Firmware management doesn't scale linearly and each new client multiplies complexity exponentially. 

You're looking at incompatible vendor processes, conflicting maintenance windows, and different risk tolerances across every client environment.

Most MSPs try automation, but automated firmware updates across mixed environments break critical systems at the worst times. The better approach is to make manual processes efficient and predictable.

Create device categories, not device lists

Instead of tracking individual devices, group them by update characteristics: 

• "Critical infrastructure" (immediate patches), 

• "Standard business equipment" (monthly cycles), 

• "Legacy/EOL devices" (document-only), 

• and "Unsupported/IoT" (replacement planning). 

This lets you apply consistent policies across thousands of devices without custom handling each one.

Time-box your firmware work

Set fixed time blocks for firmware activities: 

• vulnerability assessment (weekly), 

• update planning (monthly), 

• and deployment windows (per-client schedules). 

When new critical patches emerge, they fit into existing workflows instead of derailing your entire week. This prevents firmware management from becoming reactive fire-fighting.

Build institutional knowledge, not hero dependencies

Document not just what you updated, but why certain devices were skipped, which updates caused problems, and which clients have unusual requirements. When technicians leave or clients grow, this knowledge transfer prevents you from rediscovering the same painful lessons repeatedly.

The goal is not to eliminate all manual work, but to create systems where manual work produces predictable results that other team members can replicate and improve.

By combining disciplined processes with a PSA-RMM platform like SuperOps, MSPs can handle the complexity of firmware updates keeping devices secure, stable, and updated without unnecessary chaos.

Firmware security best practices

When firmware gets compromised, attackers gain persistent access that survives OS reinstalls and security scans. Here are some firmware update best practices to follow:

Verify authenticity before installation

Download firmware only from official vendor sites, never third-party sources or email attachments. Check digital signatures where available, and verify file hashes against vendor-published checksums. If a firmware file lacks proper signatures or documentation, don't install it regardless of client pressure.

Maintain strict inventory control

Track firmware versions across all devices and flag any that fall behind security patches. Many attacks target known firmware vulnerabilities in devices that organizations forgot to update. Your inventory should answer: "Which devices have unpatched firmware, and what's the risk exposure?"

Isolate critical update processes

Perform firmware updates from secure, dedicated management networks when possible. Avoid updating firmware over public internet connections or unsecured wireless networks where traffic interception could compromise the update process.

Plan for firmware security incidents

When firmware vulnerabilities are disclosed, you need rapid response procedures. Identify affected devices quickly, assess risk levels, and coordinate emergency patching across client environments. Unlike software patches, firmware updates can't be automated safely, so manual coordination becomes critical during security incidents.

Firmware security failures create persistent backdoors that traditional tools can't detect or remove. These practices help prevent compromise at the deepest system levels.

Firmware is not optional, it’s foundational

Firmware management separates professional MSPs from overwhelmed ones. While your competitors ignore it or treat it as an afterthought, you can turn it into a strategic advantage.

MSPs who master firmware management experience fewer emergency calls, stronger compliance positioning, and clients who trust them to prevent problems rather than just fix them. Their systems work reliably without mysterious failures that competitors struggle to diagnose.

Hope you found this article helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. 

FAQs about firmware updates

Is it safe to update firmware?

Yes, when done properly. Firmware updates improve security, fix bugs, and enhance device performance. However, because firmware rewrites critical low-level code, updates should be applied carefully, preferably during maintenance windows, with stable power, and following vendor instructions to avoid risks like device bricking.

What’s an example of firmware?

Firmware is embedded software that controls hardware functions. Common examples include BIOS or UEFI on laptops, the code inside network routers managing traffic, and the control software inside printers that processes print jobs.

Are firmware updates necessary?

Absolutely. Firmware updates patch security vulnerabilities, fix stability issues, ensure compatibility with newer software or standards, and sometimes add new features. Ignoring updates can expose devices to attacks, cause operational issues, or void compliance requirements.

How to update display firmware?

Display firmware for monitors and digital signage is usually updated using manufacturer-provided software on a connected PC or via USB drives, following the vendor’s instructions. Always download firmware from the official source and verify the update by checking the version or on-screen confirmation to ensure a successful upgrade.