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How to upgrade MikroTik RouterOS and firmware

Last updated: 2 October 2026

RouterOS upgrades fix security holes and bugs. The upgrade takes a few minutes and has two parts that people often miss: the system itself and the board firmware.

Before you upgrade

  1. Save a backup and an export and copy them to your computer.
  2. Do it at a quiet hour; the router restarts.
  3. Make sure the router has internet and at least a few megabytes free (Files).

Which version am I on?

/system resource print
/system package print

The first shows the RouterOS version, the model and free storage. The Winbox title bar shows the version too.

Upgrade RouterOS

Winbox: System → Packages → Check For Updates → Download & Install. Terminal:

/system package update check-for-updates
/system package update install

The router downloads the new version and restarts.

Then upgrade the firmware

/system routerboard print
/system routerboard upgrade
/system reboot

If "current-firmware" and "upgrade-firmware" already match, there is nothing to do.

Channels

Choose stable for normal use. On RouterOS v6, long-term changes least and suits routers you rarely touch.

/system package update set channel=stable

From RouterOS v6 to v7

  1. Upgrade to the latest v6 first, and upgrade the firmware.
  2. Check that your device supports v7 and has enough storage and memory.
  3. Switch the channel and install:
/system package update set channel=upgrade
/system package update check-for-updates
/system package update install

v7 changes routing commands and the format of dates. Scripts and load-balancing routes written for v6 may need changes afterwards.

Check after the upgrade

  1. Internet works from a device on the network.
  2. Hotspot and PPPoE customers can log in.
  3. Scripts and schedulers still run: look at their run counts and at the log.
  4. The log has no new red lines.
/system scheduler print
/log print where topics~"error"

Without internet on the router

Download the package for your model from mikrotik.com, drag the .npk file into Files, and reboot.

If something goes wrong

Restore your backup. If the router does not start, reinstall with Netinstall (see reset).

Questions and answers

Is it safe to upgrade remotely?

Usually, but a failed upgrade can need someone on site. Have a backup and upgrade when help is reachable.

Do I have to upgrade the firmware every time?

It is good practice after each RouterOS upgrade; the router tells you when a newer firmware is available.

Can I go back to the previous version?

Yes, with /system package downgrade after uploading the older package, though configuration added by the newer version may be lost.

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