Kerry Wan/ZDNETRecently, I wrote about the various uses of the USB ports that come standard on the back or side of any smart TV. In this article, I’m focusing on one particular important use: installing firmware updates using a USB device.Updates are essential because they ensure your TV has the latest software, features, and security patches. Most smart TVs are designed to automatically check for and install updates over Wi-Fi — as long as they’re connected to the internet and the automatic update feature is enabled. To confirm this, you can usually find a “Check for Updates” option in the TV’s settings menu.Also: You should probably clear your TV cache right now (and why it makes such a big difference)But if your TV has an unstable Wi-Fi connection — or you simply prefer a manual approach — the following is a walkthrough of how to use a USB drive to do the job. 1. Identify your TV’s model number Start by finding your TV’s specific model number. It’s usually on a sticker or label on the back of your set, which can often be tricky to read — especially on a wall-mounted TV. Take a flashlight with you and jot down what you see on the sticker. Better yet, turn on your phone camera (with flash) to reach behind the TV and snap a picture of the sticker so you’ll have the information forever. You should also be able to find the model number in the TV’s settings menu under the “About” or “Support” section. 2. Locate the firmware update Go online and visit the manufacturer’s official website to look for the “Support” or “Downloads” section. Use the search function on the website and enter your TV’s model number. This should bring up a list of available downloads for your specific model. Look for the latest firmware update file. Also: How we test TVs at ZDNET in 2025Be sure to pay close attention to the region and version information for the firmware update. Downloading and installing the wrong firmware can cause serious problems with your TV, potentially “bricking” it, which is the worst thing that can happen to any smart device because it renders it unusable. More