Polk releases firmware updates for their soundbars consistently. By doing a firmware update on your Polk Soundbar, you can fix a variety of issues regarding heating, HDMI, casting issues, etc. In addition to that, minor bugs and errors can also be fixed. Polk Soundbars updates itself automatically after getting connected to a WIFI network via smartphone apps like Google Home and Polk Connect or an ethernet Cable.
If your Polk Soundbar is not working as expected, then follow this article. Here, I have given the procedure to upgrade the firmware of all models of Polk soundbars, along with ways to fix it if it fails to update itself.
How to Update Polk Soundbar Over WIFI
As mentioned earlier, you can update Polk Soundbars over WIFI. For this, we use either the Google Home app or the Polk Connect app and connect your Polk Soundbar to your smartphone. The procedure to do it from both applications is explained below.
Update Polk Soundbar Using Google Home
The main method to update Polk Soundbar’s Firmware is via the Google Home installed on your smartphone. The procedure to do this is given below.
1. Download Google Home on your iPhone or Android Smartphone.
2. Next, turn on your Polk Soundbar and put that into WIFI pairing mode. In some Polk models like MagniFi, a separate WIFI button is provided; for others, press the Source button to select WIFI.
3. Connect your smartphone to a stable WIFI network; launch the Google Home app on it and sign in to your Google account.
4. After this, click on the Set up device option on the following screen.
5. Now, a list of available devices is displayed. Choose your Polk Soundbar and connect to it.
6. In the following step, you’ll be asked to choose a WIFI network for your Polk Soundbar. Since we are just looking to update your soundbar, you can choose any WIFI network.
Note: If you want to control your Polk Soundbar using your smartphone, you need to connect both devices to the same WIFI network.
7. After connecting your Soundbar to a WIFI network, it will look for any available firmware upgrades and download it automatically.
8. Once downloaded, your Polk Soundbar will restart and start functioning with new added features.
Update Polk Soundbar Using Polk Connect
Similar to the Google Home app, you can use the Polk Connect app to update your Polk Soundbar. The following steps explain the procedure.
1. Power on your Polk Soundbar and put that into WIFI pairing mode. If your soundbar has a WIFI button, press and hold it for a few seconds to turn it on. Else, press the Source button on it.
2. On your smartphone, install the Polk Connect app.
3. After installation, sign in to your Polk account by clicking on I have a Polk Account. If you are a new user, sign up for a new account by clicking on Create Account.
4. Now, click on Setup a new Bar. Your Polk app will look for new devices to connect with and will display a list of available devices.
5. Choose your Polk Soundbar from the list of devices and connect to it.
6. After this, connect the Polk Soundbar to the WIFI network where your smartphone is connected.
7. Now, your Polk Soundbar will look for updates and download those files automatically. After this, your soundbar installs those updates.
Once updated, your Polk Soundbar will restart, and you can start using it.
How to Update Polk Soundbar via Ethernet
Unlike WIFI, updating your Polk Soundbar over ethernet doesn’t require much procedure. This method requires your soundbar to have an ethernet connection port to it. Soundbars like Polk MagniFy, Omuni SB1, Audio Signa, etc., have these ports, and you can update these devices via this method. Here’s how we do it.
1. Pick up the ethernet cable from the WIFI router and insert that into the ethernet port of the Polk device. You can find the port on the back of your soundbar.
Tip! If you don’t have an ethernet cable, you can buy one from Amazon.
2. Now, turn on the power supply to your soundbar.
3. After this, your Polk Soundbar will look for upgrades and update itself automatically.
In this way, you can update Polk Soundbar via ethernet.
Can I Update the Polk Soundbar Using USB?
No. You can’t update any model of Polk Soundbar using a USB Flash drive. Though you can find a USB Type-A port on many models of Polk Soundbars, you can’t use it for any purpose. Even on Polk’s official website, they have mentioned that the USB port is only for manufacturing purposes and can’t be used to update its firmware, nor can it be used to read and play audio files.
Polk Soundbar Not Updating – Solutions
Sometimes, you won’t be able to update your Polk Soundbar. It happens due to minor technical glitches and errors. The solutions to solve this issue are given below.
- Poor Internet: If the WIFI that your Polk Soundbar is using is poor or unstable, then it won’t update. Therefore, check your internet connection and solve the issue.
- Restart Device: Minor glitches or errors can be rectified by a simple restart. After doing a restart, your soundbar will update without any issues.
- Update App: If you are updating over the Google Home or the Polk Connect app, update those apps to their latest versions. Otherwise, you won’t be able to update the firmware of the soundbar.
- Reset Device: If no method works out, you can factory reset the Polk Soundbar. Basically, a factory reset deletes all the saved information like WIFI, Paired devices, etc. After a reset, your Polk device will be able to update itself.
Even after trying out all the techniques and you are still unable to update the firmware, you need to contact Polk Customer Support through their website for further assistance. They can find the exact issue and solve it.
No. You can update the firmware of any model of Polk Soundbars without any second thought. Updating the soundbar won’t harm the device.
No. You can’t update any model of Polk Soundbar manually via a USB flash drive. You can update it to the Internet via WIFI or through an ethernet cable.
