With smart TVs becoming more and more popular, many people are wondering if they can update the webOS software on their LG TVs. webOS is the operating system that powers the smart features and apps on LG TVs. Like any software, webOS gets periodic updates that add new features and improvements. So can you update to the latest webOS version on your LG TV? Let’s find out.
What is webOS?
webOS is an operating system developed by LG to power the smart platform on their TVs. It provides the interface, apps, and functionality for LG smart TVs. webOS enables you to access streaming apps, play games, cast content from your mobile device, control smart home devices, and more.
Some key features of webOS include:
- Simple, intuitive interface
- Access to popular streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, etc.
- Web browser
- LG Content Store for downloading apps and games
- Magic Remote with point, click, scroll, and voice control capabilities
- Smart home controls for connecting and controlling smart devices
- Screen mirroring from compatible smartphones and tablets
webOS aims to provide a smooth smart TV experience for accessing entertainment, controlling your smart home, browsing the web, and more.
Why update webOS?
Like any software platform, webOS is periodically updated by LG with new versions that bring about improvements and additional features. Here are some key reasons why you may want to update webOS on your LG TV:
- Access new apps and games: With each webOS update, new apps and games are added to the LG Content Store.
- Get new features: Updates bring enhancements to the interface, Magic Remote, voice controls, smart home features, and more.
- Performance improvements: Updates include behind-the-scenes upgrades that refine and optimize performance.
- Security patches: Critical security issues with webOS can be patched with a software update.
- Bug fixes: Annoying software bugs may be squashed in new releases.
- Enhanced stability: Updates provide a more reliable and glitch-free experience.
Updating provides an easy way to get the latest features and improvements for your LG smart TV’s webOS platform. It helps keep things fresh and smooth.
How to check your current webOS version
Before updating webOS, you’ll want to check what version you are currently running. Here are the steps to find your webOS version on an LG TV:
- From your LG TV’s home screen, select the Settings icon.
- Go to the General menu.
- Select About This TV.
- Scroll down and look for the webOS Version number.
This will show the exact version of webOS your TV has installed. Newer LG TVs likely run webOS 5.0 or later out of the box. Older models may have an earlier version like webOS 3.5 or 4.0.
How to update webOS on an LG TV
If a new version of webOS is available for your LG TV, there are a couple ways to update:
Over-the-air updates
LG periodically pushes out webOS updates over the air. That means they are delivered via your internet connection directly to the TV – no need for any external devices or downloads.
When an over-the-air update is available, you will get a notification on your TV prompting you to update. Simply follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the latest webOS version.
USB update
In some cases LG makes webOS updates available for download on their website to install manually via USB drive. Reasons for this may include:
- Your TV is not connected to the internet, so over-the-air updates won’t work.
- The update file is very large, making it faster to download to a USB drive vs. over-the-air.
- You want to manually force an update rather than waiting for the OTA notification.
To update webOS via USB:
- On a PC, visit LG’s support site and find the webOS update for your specific TV model.
- Download the update file and save it to a USB drive.
- Insert the USB drive into your TV.
- From your TV’s settings, go to the General menu and select Software Update.
- Select update via USB drive.
- Follow the prompts to complete the webOS update installation.
Will updating webOS erase data or settings?
Updating your LG TV to the latest webOS version will not delete or erase any of your data, settings, or customized configurations. This includes:
- Your installed apps and login information
- WiFi connections and passwords
- Streaming service accounts and watch history
- Smart home device pairings
- System preferences and settings
- Calibrated picture settings
An update is seamless and will maintain all your existing data and settings. You won’t have to login to apps again or reconfigure things after updating webOS.
Will updating break anything?
Updating to a newer version of webOS is designed to be safe and should not cause anything to break or stop working on your LG TV. Extensive testing is done by LG to ensure updates do not introduce bugs or issues.
That being said, there is an extremely small chance an update could cause a problem. For example:
- An app that hasn’t been optimized for the new OS version could have issues.
- Some feature that worked a certain way previously may function slightly differently.
- A very old unsupported TV model could have problems with newer webOS versions.
But in general, the vast majority of webOS updates go smoothly and do not cause any negative side effects. Problems are rare.
Does a factory reset help performance after updating?
Performing a factory reset is not necessary after updating webOS on your LG TV. The update process preserves all your data, apps, and settings. So a factory reset would wipe your customizations for no reason.
In some rare cases, doing a factory reset can potentially help if you experience issues after updating. But only use it as a last resort troubleshooting step.
Factory reset tips after updating webOS:
- Backup your wired/wireless network settings so you don’t lose them.
- Sign out of any streaming/app accounts before reset.
- Double check you have no important data to lose.
- Only reset if you have a specific problem caused by the update.
Overall, a factory reset is not something you need to proactively do after a normal successful webOS update.
What smart TV models support webOS updates?
Here are the LG TV model series that are compatible with webOS updates:
| LG TV Series | Initial webOS Version | Latest Supported Version |
|---|---|---|
| OLED TVs | 1.0 | 5.0 or later |
| SUPER UHD TVs | 1.0 | 5.0 or later |
| UHD TVs | 1.0 | 4.5 or later |
| NANOCELL TVs | 5.0 | 6.0 or later |
LG introduces new TV model series almost annually. Each new series will start with the latest webOS out of the box. As long as your TV is not too outdated, it will be supported with updates for at least a few years after initial launch.
How often does LG update webOS?
There is no definitive fixed schedule for webOS updates. But here is a general estimate of how frequently major updates occur:
- 1 major update per year
- 2-3 minor bug fix/maintenance updates per year
- Critical security patches released as needed
So you can expect to see a significant update to webOS on your LG TV about once annually. Additional minor updates will roll out periodically as well. Timing can also depend on geographic region.
Should you update webOS immediately?
There are a few schools of thought on immediately updating webOS when a new version is available versus waiting:
- Update immediately – This ensures you get access to all the latest features and improvements right away. And critical security issues are patched.
- Wait a few days/weeks – This gives time for any potential bugs in the initial release to be found and fixed before you install.
- If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – If everything already works fine on your current version, why risk issues from updating?
In general, there is probably no harm in installing a webOS update soon after it is available. LG puts the updates through extensive testing. And the benefits typically outweigh any minimal risks.
What are the newest webOS versions?
Here are details on the newest webOS versions for LG TVs at the time of writing:
webOS 6.0
- Released in 2021
- Designed for latest LG OLED, QNED, and NanoCell TVs
- Improvements to UI speed and Magic Remote
- Next-gen gaming features
- Enhanced sports alerts
- More voice control options
webOS 5.0
- Released in 2020
- Faster processor than webOS 4.5
- Optimized Magic Remote cursor
- New LG ThinQ mobile app
- Works with latest Apple AirPlay and HomeKit
These represent the most current webOS versions from LG for their newest TV models. Features and capabilities will vary based on your specific TV.
Should you update older smart TVs?
For older LG smart TV models that are several years old, updating webOS brings a trickier trade-off:
- Pros – Get new features and improved performance/stability if TV hardware can support it.
- Cons – System resources strained on dated hardware. Potential compatibility issues.
If your LG TV is more than 3-4 years old, updating webOS could lead to a sluggish interface, apps crashing, or features not working correctly.
For very old LG TVs, it may be best to skip webOS updates. Your model may no longer even get active updates from LG at a certain point anyway.
Tips for updating webOS
Here are some useful tips to keep in mind when updating webOS:
- Check your current version first so you know if an update is available.
- Updating over WiFi is recommended – some updates are too large for ethernet.
- Delete unused apps and clear cached data to optimize storage space.
- Back up your current settings in case you want to restore them later.
- Preview release notes so you know what changes are included.
- Have patients – major updates can take 10-20 minutes to install.
- If issues occur, factory reset your TV as a last resort fix.
Following these tips will help ensure your webOS update experience goes smooth and improves your LG smart TV.
What if a webOS update fails?
It’s rare for a webOS update to fail or get stuck mid-installation. But if this occurs, here are some tips to try:
- Wait several minutes to see if the update resumes/completes.
- Unplug the TV power cord for 1 minute, then plug back in and turn on the TV.
- If the software update screen remains stuck, unplug cord again. This time press and hold the power button on the TV for 30 seconds before plugging back in.
- On some TVs, press and hold the settings button on the remote which may bring up recovery update options.
- Initiate a factory reset if still unable to recover from a failed update.
Following these troubleshooting steps can typically get a failed webOS update back on track. If not, you will need to contact LG support for further assistance.
Should you downgrade your webOS if needed?
If a webOS update causes issues on your LG TV, is it possible to downgrade back to the previous version? Here are a few key points about downgrading webOS:
- There is no straightforward way to downgrade that is supported by LG.
- Older webOS versions are not provided for download after new updates are released.
- Performing a factory reset on your TV will not revert the OS to a previous version.
- Manually hacking older firmware onto a TV is risky and can brick the device.
- For most issues caused by an update, other troubleshooting is recommended vs. downgrading.
In conclusion, there is not an authorized, supported method for end users to downgrade their LG TV’s webOS on their own. Contacting LG support is the recommended course of action if an update causes major problems you cannot resolve.
Conclusion
Being able to update your LG TV’s webOS opens up access to new features and improvements developed by LG to enhance the smart TV experience. Over-the-air and USB update methods make it straightforward to upgrade webOS to the latest version. While updating older TVs requires some caution, keeping webOS updated on supported models provides an easy way to get the most out of your LG smart TV.