DrayTek routers from the Vigor 2820 series onwards support updating the router firmware remotely through the web interface. This requires configuring the router for remote management, which is explained in this article. Updating the router's firmware over the internet does have additional risk compared to updating locally because the stability of the internet connection has to be taken into account; where possible, it is recommended to update firmware when local to the router.

When updating firmware remotely, the router will need to keep its current configuration to reconnect to the internet so it is recommended to only update using .all firmware files. If the firmware download includes a .rst file, do not use this for updating remotely as it would clear the router's configuration settings, such as internet connection details would need to be reconfigured by someone local to the router.

---

Access the router's web interface over the internet, make sure to log in using the router's Admin account, the User log in does not have permission to update the firmware so the menu option would not be visible.

Prior to any firmware upgrade it is good practice to take a configuration backup, which can be done from the [System Maintenance] - [Configuration Backup] page by clicking the Backup button, the web browser will then prompt to download the configuration file.

The update process can take around 5 minutes to complete depending on the router being updated. During this time, the router will still be operating as normal and provide internet / VPN connectivity.

---

Step 1. Download the firmware from the DrayTek UK Downloads page.

---

Step 2. Extract the .zip file from that page to a location such as the Desktop so that it can be located to perform the firmware update with

---

Step 3. In the router's web interface, go to [System Maintenance] - [Firmware Upgrade] which will show the these options:

The Web Firmware Upgrade section has the Browse and Upgrade options to select then start the upgrade.
The TFTP Firmware Upgrade from LAN section should be ignored, do not click the OK button as that will take the router offline by putting it into TFTP mode, which makes the router inaccessible from the internet.

---

Step 4. Click Browse... to open a File Open dialog box from your browser, which you can then point to the firmware file - select the .all file to update the firmware.

---

Step 5. Click the Upgrade button to start the update, this will then send the firmware file from the computer to the router and will display this progress bar while the update is in progress:

This must not be interrupted so do not close the browser tab or navigate away from this page.

---

Step 6. Once the upload has completed successfully, the router will prompt to restart:

Once restarted, wait for the router to reconnect to the internet. The router will be running the new firmware version, which can be checked from [System Maintenance] - [System Status]

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the firmware upload is interrupted?

The router will stay online but will display this message in the router's web interface:

And in the lower left corner of the web interface:

Do not power cycle the router or restart it via the web interface in this state.

The router has an incomplete firmware loaded and will fail to boot unless the firmware is reflashed successfully. If the router is restarted in this state, follow the TFTP Recovery guide for instructions on how to recover the router, which would need to be performed while local to the router.

If this message is shown, simply repeat the firmware upgrade process and ensure that it completes successfully.

---

What happens if the router is restarted or power-cycled while updating remotely?

If the router has reached the point where it prompts to restart, the router will restart normally with the new firmware.

If the router has not yet displayed that message, the router could have an incomplete firmware file loaded and may fail to boot, which would stop it from reconnecting to the internet. If the router is restarted in this state, follow the TFTP Recovery guide for instructions on how to recover the router, which would need to be performed while local to the router.

---

How do you rate this article?