Upgrading video unit firmware - Camera manufacturers frequently release firmware updates to improve performance and fix security vulnerabilities. To ensure compatibility and security, you must upgrade video units with the latest firmware certified by Genetec Inc. - Security Center 5.13

Security Center Administrator Guide 5.13
Product
Security Center
Content type
Guides > Administrator guides
Version
5.13
ft:locale
en-US
Last updated
2026-01-19

Camera manufacturers frequently release firmware updates to improve performance and fix security vulnerabilities. To ensure compatibility and security, you must upgrade video units with the latest firmware certified by Genetec Inc.

Before you begin

  • If Genetec™ Update Service (GUS) is running, the urgency of the firmware upgrade is indicated in the unit's Identity page and in the Proposed firmware description column of the Hardware inventory report:
    Up to date
    No firmware upgrade is necessary.
    Optional
    The firmware upgrade is not urgent.
    Recommended
    The firmware upgrade is recommended.
    Critical
    The firmware upgrade fixes a security vulnerability issue and is highly recommended.
  • Download the recommended firmware from the manufacturer's website. If GUS isn’t running, you can find the recommended firmware for your unit from our Supported Device List.
    NOTE: For some video unit models, GUS downloads the recommended firmware for you, so you don't have to do it manually. When this feature is supported, the Recommended option is displayed in the Upgrade firmware dialog box. GUS stores the downloaded firmware in a central location called the Firmware vault for seven days.
  • Take note of the unit’s configuration settings. For some manufacturers, the unit resets to its default settings after a firmware upgrade.

What you should know

For some manufacturers, you can’t upgrade the unit’s firmware from Config Tool. For manufacturer-specific information, see the manufacturer's documentation.

Procedure

  1. From the Config Tool homepage, open the Video task.
    NOTE: You can also upgrade a unit from the Hardware inventory task. If the task recommends a firmware upgrade, select the row, click Upgrade (), and continue from Step 4. For upgrading multiple units in a batch see Upgrading unit firmware in batches.
  2. Select the video unit to upgrade, and click the Identity tab.
  3. Click Upgrade ().
    Firmware upgrade details on the Identity page for an Axis Q7436 video unit, showing the current and recommended versions.
  4. In the Upgrade firmware dialog box that opens, do one of the following:
    • If the Recommended option is available, it means that GUS can download the firmware for you. Click Upgrade to start the upgrade.
      Firmware upgrade dialog box for an Axis Q7436 video unit, showing the current and recommended versions with the Recommended option highlighted.
    • Click Select file to browse to the firmware file you downloaded yourself, and click Open > Upgrade.
      Firmware upgrade dialog box for an Axis Q7436 video unit, highlighting the Upgrade using local file option.
    A message is displayed in the notification tray telling you that the firmware upgrade has started.
    Notification tray showing a message that the firmware upgrade has started.

    When the firmware upgrade completes, the unit restarts.

After you finish

Reconfigure the unit if it were reset to its default settings during the upgrade.
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