System updates via PC

This guide explains how to manually download PS3 System Software (firmware) Updates on your PC, copy to a USB flash drive, and then copy and install on your PS3. It is also possible to just connect your PS3 to the Internet and let it handle the updating for you.

Prerequisites

You will need a USB flash drive (thumb drive, removable media, storage media, etc) with enough free space to store the system software update file. You will need at least 120MB.

It might be worth noting that updates are not incremental. Each time you download an update file you are getting all the previous updates in the file too. This means that the filesize will grow with each version.

Step 1: Prepare your removable media

Plug your USB drive into your PC
Create a new folder on it called PS3 (must be in capitals)
Inside that PS3 folder, create a new folder called UPDATE (must be in capitals)

Step 2: Download the update file on your PC

You must download the update file suitable for your region. Start at www.playstation.com and find the “System Software Updates” page

Regional links: Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, North America

Find the “Download” link
Save the file “PS3UPDAT.PUP” into the UPDATE folder on your USB storage device

Step 3: Copy the file to your PS3

Unplug the flash drive from your PC and plug into any free USB slot on your PS3
Go to the “Settings” XMB menu, choose “System Update”
Choose “Update via storage media”
The USB drive will be scanned. If you get an error that no update file was found, ensure that the folder structure is correct (Step 1)
Select “OK” to copy the update file to the PS3′s hard disk
Wait for the file to be copied and the PS3 should reboot automatically (leave the USB drive plugged in during this phase)

Step 4: Install the update

When the PS3 has started up again you should be presented with a screen showing the version of the system software ready to install. Press the PS button
Wait for the “Checking for update data” to complete
Accept the user agreement
Press X button to confirm the installation
The update will be installed and the PS3 should be rebooted!

Screenshots

blobber

apparently, update via USB media much faster than direct from the net.

doctor d

i tried downloading it from my storage device and it keeps saying no apllicable updates found????? help please

mat777

it is much faster to do it via a pc. updating my ps3, it took 45 minutes to get to 45% download before deciding to freeze and say there was a connection error. on the pc, it took 36 mins to download the entire update from the sony website (whuch usefully gives you a full detailed overview of all the updates and whats in each one. it then took 45 seconds to copy and install it on the ps3. from now on ill always update via pc
AVI

hey it seems pretty simple but for this update does it matter if i cant find the firmware for australia, i looked everywere and couldnt find it.
for this firmware is the update universal, meaning does it matter if i cant find the australian firmware.
thanx

http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

AVI: The link for Australia above gets you to the firmware page, however we tend to get the newer versions a little later (like a day or two later than US).

In the past I’ve downloaded and applied the US firmware no problem.

this guy

will the update erase everything or anything at all

http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

this guy: The updates do not erase anything.

Gumbah Silverback

How do I download vedio and music codecs or do they automatically come with the updates? My PS3 fails to play some vedios and music which frustrates me alot sometimes!

http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

Gumbah: The PS3 software contains various codecs as determined by Sony and there isn’t a way to add more yourself. We have a list of supported filetypes if you’re interested.

http://na Damien

Will updating my PS3 from US released firmware to the Australian released firmware allow it to support PAL games with a SD TV? Any ideas other than buy a HDTV ?
Mark

after i did a software update i putted in a game and its’ saying that there is a software for this and i pressed ok, and the screen went blank, but the system is still on….what do i do
Thomas

Hi guys, just clearing up, PS3 updates whether it is done by this method or by intenret on the PS3 itself, will not erase user data. I cannot say that the update will not corrupt and cause an abnormal problem erasing data etc.

But updates are designed to improve, not set the user back.

I’m downloading 3.15 after I got my PS3 back from repairs. It takes a while but I have a small archieve of updates should something go wrong
Jamie Chapman

This method is a good way of updating. It’s best to go to:

Game > Trophies > (Press Triangle) > Click on ‘Sync trophies’

This will sync your trophies with the PSN Network
Patrick DeLeon

i seemed to do everything rite but when i pressed via internet it wouldnt work i tried everything idk… plzz help
Kortnee

Okay, I go through the whole process of downloading the file to my USB drive like it says. This is the only way I can do it since I’m on dial-up. I plug it into my PS3 and, when I get to “Update via storage media,” it scans it and says the file is corrupt.

bbmcg

you prob have a virus attached to your usb drive

Mike

Can downloadable content for games such as Dragon Age be done using portable storage media?

http://ps3explained.com/ Flame

Hi Mike – as far as I know it’s not possible. Only system updates can be done this way.

Nat

We’ve followed the instructions but when we put the memory stick in it says no data found! Grrrrr help!
Mark

Love what playstaion has came to
Kris

Can this be done for game updates too? i live in student accomodation and the internet is really crap, so it times out every time i try
Jan Paulan

Hi guys! I’m from the Philippines. Will any region I’ll choose will update my ps3? Just bought a ps3 last weekend. And when I register for PSN. It requires me to update my software first. But I’m thinking what region should I choose if I’m from the Philippines? Its my first time to update my firmware.
richard

Thanks this really helped , even the playstation site wasnt helpful as you
Anonymous

thanks really much i got it now
Razzdevil

outstanding information, i really enjoy info broke down Barney style
Leighton

EXCELLENT THE INFORMATION ON THIS SITE COULD NOT BE MORE CLEARER OR MORE STRAIGHT FORWARD. REALY HELPFUL THANK YOU L DAVIES
Ilovevagina

i love u man thanx
PS3lover

your a champ! any ever tell you!
Musicluver4113

I didnt work for mr
marty

a moi je peut pas aller dans le menu
quand j allume la ps3 c me dit que la mise a jour est endomader et quejedoit le rinstaller avec un clée USB
sur la clée ja cree un dosier ps3 apres update apres jai (ecrir en masjicul )mis la mise a jour
wombat101

you need to add make sure that your usb drive is set to shared as was the case with my usb it wasnt working until i changed the usb settings to share
Mahdi

Greaaaattt Guide!

DISCOKID

I AGREE GZ

R_po

I did all of the steps correctly but there it still says there is no update file found. Any suggestions?
D_gb

My update installed to 99% and then changes to “No applicable update was found.”
Jayjayspits

u.. are .. a legend..
Rog

no go
chubbs568

I am trying to reload my software on my PS3 from my PC, but it is not reading it from my flash drive. Any suggestions. I also saw I need to make sure my flash drive is shared and I am not sure how to do that.

Lalanana

do the step 1

PS3 Explained