How to update the Firmware on your Raspberry Pi 5

Keeping your Raspberry Pi 5 firmware up-to-date is crucial for performance and compatibility, especially with new features like the RPi PCIe spec. This tutorial will guide you through updating the firmware to the latest version directly through Raspberry Pi OS.

Prerequisites

  • A Raspberry Pi 5 running Raspberry Pi OS.
  • An internet connection.

Step 1: Prepare Your System

First, make sure your Raspberry Pi OS is up-to-date to avoid any compatibility issues during the firmware update:

  1. Open a terminal window (Ctrl+Alt+T).
  2. Update your system with the following commands:
    sudo apt update sudo apt full-upgrade
  3. Reboot your Raspberry Pi to apply all updates:
    sudo reboot

Step 2: Update the Firmware

To update the firmware to the latest version:

  1. Open a terminal window if it's not already open.
  2. Access the configuration tool:

    sudo raspi-config

  3. Navigate to Advanced Options > Bootloader Version.
  4. Select Latest to update your firmware to the newest version available.
  5. Exit the configuration tool and reboot your Raspberry Pi to apply the changes:

    sudo reboot

Step 3: Verify the Firmware Version

After your Raspberry Pi reboots, you can check to make sure the firmware has been updated:

  1. Open a terminal window.
  2. Run the following command to see the current firmware version:
    sudo rpi-eeprom-update

This command will display the current firmware version along with the date. Ensure that it shows the version dated 2023-12-06 or newer to confirm that your device supports all the latest features.

Conclusion

Your Raspberry Pi 5 is now running the latest firmware, ensuring you have the best possible performance and access to the latest features. It’s a good practice to periodically check for firmware updates to keep your Raspberry Pi in optimal condition.

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