Update FortiGate firewall firmware

Last update: October 05 2026Open in Markdown

The instructions are relevant for FortiOS versions 6.x and 7.x. If you have a different FortiOS version, you can find documentation for it in the upper right corner of the FortiGate control panel or on the official FortiGate website.

1. Optional: create a backup.

2. If you want to update only the build version for FortiOS 7, connect to the firewall and update the build version to the current one under System.

3. If you want to upgrade the firmware to a new major version, submit a ticket. In the ticket, specify:

   • current FortiOS version. You can find the current version number in the firewall interface under System → Firmware → the Current version field;
   • desired FortiOS version. You can check the latest version number on the FortiGate website.

4. We will send in the ticket:

   • firmware files with the .out extension.
   • the order of loading FortiOS versions to update the operating system.

5. Download the firmware files to the device you are using to connect to the firewall.

6. Connect to the firewall.

7. Upload the firmware files you downloaded in step 5, following the instructions for your current FortiOS version:

   FortiOS 6.x

   7.1. Go to System → Firmware.

   7.2. In the Upload Firmware section, click Browse.

   7.3. Check the firmware loading sequence you received in the ticket in step 3, and upload the first file.

   7.4. Click Backup config and upgrade.

   7.5. Click Continue. The device will start rebooting.

   7.6. Wait for the updated system to start.

   7.7. Repeat steps 7.1–7.7 for each firmware file you downloaded. Follow the loading sequence you received in the ticket in step 3.

   FortiOS 7.x

   7.1. Go to System → Firmware & Registration. 7.2. In the Choose Upgrade Type step, select — FortiGate only. 7.3. Click Next. 7.4. In the Select Firmware step, click File Upload 7.5. Check the firmware upload sequence that you received in the ticket in step 3 and upload the first file. 7.6. Click Next. 7.7 In the Choose Schedule step, select Immediate. 7.8. Click Next. 7.9. In the Review step, check the upgrade plan. 7.10. Click Confirm and Backup Config. 7.11. Click Yes to start the upgrade. 7.12. Read the information in the dialog box and click Close. The device will start rebooting. 7.13. Wait for the upgraded system to start. 7.14. Repeat steps 7.1–7.13 for each firmware file you downloaded. Follow the sequence that you received in the ticket in step 3.