Seagate is one of the leading manufacturers of external hard drives in the world. Founded in 1979, Seagate started by producing the first 5.25-inch hard disk drive and has continued to innovate ever since. Seagate’s external hard drives provide additional storage for photos, videos, documents, and more. They are easy to use – simply plug in via USB to Windows or Mac computers.
Seagate frequently releases firmware updates for their external hard drives. These updates include bug fixes, performance improvements, and enhanced compatibility. Keeping your Seagate external drive up-to-date ensures optimal performance and full access to the latest features. This guide will walk through the process of checking your current firmware version and updating to the latest release.
When to Update Firmware
Firmware updates for Seagate external hard drives are important to keep the drive running optimally and fix any issues that crop up. According to Seagate’s firmware FAQ, firmware updates can “improve performance, resolve issues, and add new features.” Updating the firmware ensures you have the latest optimizations and bug fixes, which is especially relevant if you are noticing any problems with the drive’s performance or functionality.
Users on Reddit report that firmware updates can boost speeds, reduce noise, and enable new capabilities like encryption on Seagate drives. Drives that are several years old in particular may benefit from an update to take advantage of technological improvements. Overall, firmware updates are recommended to keep your Seagate external drive running smoothly.
Checking Current Firmware Version
To check the firmware version on your Seagate external hard drive, you’ll need to use Seagate’s software tools.
For Windows users, download and install the Seagate SeaTools app. Once installed, open SeaTools and it will automatically detect all Seagate drives connected to your computer. SeaTools will display the model number and firmware version for each drive.
On Mac, download and install the Seagate SeaTools for Mac app. Like the Windows version, SeaTools for Mac will detect all attached Seagate drives and display the firmware version.
Alternatively, on both Windows and Mac, you can find the firmware version through your operating system’s disk utility. On Windows 10 and 11 open the Disk Management utility, right-click on the Seagate drive, select Properties, and check the Firmware version on the Hardware tab. On Mac OS, open Disk Utility, select the Seagate drive, click the Info button, and look for the firmware version.
Knowing the current installed firmware version will allow you to check if your drive needs an update to improve performance or fix issues.
Downloading Latest Firmware
Seagate provides the latest firmware updates for all their drives and storage products on their official support website at https://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/. On this page, you can select your specific Seagate external hard drive product and operating system to download the most up-to-date firmware version available.
Firmware updates are also provided on individual product support pages. For example, see the firmware downloads available for various external drive models.
The best practice is to regularly check Seagate’s firmware download page to see if any new updates have been released for your drive. This ensures you are running the most optimized firmware version with bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features.
Backup Data First
Before updating the firmware on your Seagate external hard drive, it is critical that you backup all of your important data. Firmware updates can sometimes cause data loss or corruption if something goes wrong, so having a recent backup ensures your data stays safe.
According to experts, you should backup your data as frequently as possible, with some recommending daily backups. But at the very minimum, be sure to perform a full backup of your drive before beginning any firmware update.
“It’s wise to backup your data and settings regularly and before each firmware update or flash. This will help prevent data loss or corruption…” (Source)
There are many backup options available, such as cloning the drive, backing up to external media, or backing up to a cloud storage service. Choose the option that best fits your needs and allows you to fully secure your important files and folders before updating.
Taking the time to properly backup your data can save you from potential catastrophe down the road. So don’t skip this crucial step before attempting to update your Seagate drive’s firmware.
Updating Firmware on Windows
Here are the steps to update the firmware on a Seagate external hard drive using a Windows PC:
- Connect the Seagate external drive to your Windows computer using the USB cable. Make sure the drive is powered on.
- Download the latest firmware update for your specific Seagate drive from the Seagate Support site https://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/. For example, if you have a Backup Plus Portable drive, download the update file for that model.
- Unzip the downloaded firmware file.
- Double click on the SeagateFirmwareUpdater.exe file to launch the Seagate Firmware Updater application.
- The Firmware Updater will detect any connected Seagate drives. Select the external drive you want to update from the dropdown list.
- Click on “Update Firmware” and wait for the update process to complete. This may take several minutes.
- When the firmware update completes successfully, you will see a “Firmware update completed successfully” message. Reboot or disconnect/reconnect the drive.
- To verify the updated firmware version, launch the Firmware Updater again and select your drive. The new version number will be displayed.
Following these steps will ensure your Seagate external drive’s firmware is updated to the latest available version on Windows. Be sure to backup your data beforehand as a precaution.
Updating Firmware on Mac
Updating the firmware on a Seagate external hard drive connected to a Mac is a straightforward process.
First, make sure your Seagate drive is connected directly to your Mac via a USB port and not through a USB hub, dock, or enclosure. Then follow these steps:
- Download the latest firmware update for your drive from Seagate’s firmware download page. Make note of where the file is saved.
- Safely eject the Seagate drive by going to Finder > Devices and right-clicking on the drive icon and selecting “Eject”.
- With the drive disconnected, double-click on the firmware download file to launch the Seagate Firmware Updater application.
- In the Firmware Updater app, click on “Select Drive” and choose your external Seagate drive from the dropdown list.
- Click “Update Firmware” and wait for the update process to complete. This may take several minutes.
- When the firmware update is finished, eject the Seagate drive again and then re-connect it to your Mac.
- To verify a successful update, open Finder and Get Info on the Seagate drive. Check that the Firmware Version matches the updated version.
Following these steps will ensure your Seagate drive’s firmware is up to date and you can take advantage of any new features or performance improvements.
Verifying Update Success
After completing the firmware update process, it’s important to verify that the new firmware version installed successfully. You can check the current firmware version on your Seagate external hard drive by following these steps:
On Windows:
- Open Windows Explorer and right-click on your Seagate external drive.
- Select “Properties” and click the “Hardware” tab.
- Look for the firmware version under Device Properties.
On Mac:
- Open Disk Utility.
- Select your Seagate external drive in the sidebar.
- Click the “Info” button.
- Look for the firmware version listed near the top.
Compare the firmware version shown to the latest available version for your drive model. This ensures the update completed successfully. If the old version is still displayed, the firmware update did not complete properly and you may need to retry it.
Troubleshooting Issues
Here are some common problems and solutions when updating Seagate external hard drive firmware:
Drive Not Detected
If your Seagate external drive is not being detected after a firmware update, try these steps:
- Disconnect and reconnect the USB cable to the drive and computer.
- Try connecting to a different USB port on the computer.
- Plug the drive into another computer to see if it is detected.
- Check for any loose connections and make sure the USB cable is not damaged.
If the drive still isn’t recognized, you may need to perform a power cycle by unplugging the drive’s power cable for 1 minute and plugging it back in. This can reset the drive’s circuits.
Update Failure
If the firmware update failed midway, do not disconnect the drive. Retry the firmware update again by following the steps. If it continues to fail, try downloading the firmware file again and make sure your anti-virus software is disabled during the process. As a last resort, you may need to contact Seagate Support for further troubleshooting.
Drive Errors
If you start getting I/O errors or read/write failures after updating the firmware, try reformatting the drive. Backup any important data first, then reformat the drive to exFAT or NTFS file system. This should clear up any firmware-related errors.
You can also run Seagate’s SeaTools diagnostic software on the drive to check for issues. If errors persist, contact Seagate Support for evaluation and potential drive replacement if covered under warranty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, updating your Seagate external hard drive’s firmware is recommended to ensure optimal performance and access the latest features. The process is relatively quick and straightforward, but be sure to back up your data first as a precaution. Double check that the update successfully completed by verifying the new firmware version. If you run into any issues during the firmware update, don’t hesitate to contact Seagate customer support for troubleshooting assistance. Keeping your external hard drive’s firmware up to date will help maximize its lifespan and compatibility.