Technical Tip: Manual firmware upgrade by referring to an upgrade path

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Description

This article describes the steps to perform firmware upgrade manually by referring to a correct upgrade path (GUI).

Scope

FortiGate.

Solution

Option 1. Verify the upgrade path by following these steps:

1. Login to the support portal (support.fortinet.com).
2. Go to Support -> Firmware Download. 

3. Select Product: FortiGate -> Upgrade Path.

4. Select the product model (Current Product).
5.  Select the current device firmware version and upgrade to firmware version details.

Option 2. Upgrade Path Tool Table: https://docs.fortinet.com/upgrade-tool.

Note:

To check the upgrade path for firmware 5.2.9, check the related article link shared at the end of this article.

To download the image files navigate to support portal, go to: support.fortinet.com -> Support -> Firmware Download, Select Product : FortiGate, and 'Download.

Navigate to the required firmware version and locate the image file as below example.

Example: FortiGate 100F.
File name starts with -> FGT_100F.
Select 'HTTPS' to start the download.

To upgrade the firmware in the GUI 5.4.x:

1. Log into the FortiGate GUI as the admin administrative user.
2.  Go to Dashboard -> System Information.
3.  Select 'Update' before ‘Firmware Version’, then select Browse and locate the previously downloaded firmware image file.

Select Backup config and upgrade.

 Upgrade the firmware from GUI v5.6.x,v 6.x +, v7.0.x:

1.  Log into the FortiGate GUI as the admin administrative user.
2. Go to System -> Firmware.
3.  Under Upload Firmware, select Browse and locate the previously downloaded firmware image file.
4. Select 'Backup config and upgrade'.

The FortiGate backs up the current configuration to the management computer, uploads the firmware image file, upgrades to the new firmware version, and restarts.
This process takes a few minutes.

Note:

For the units in HA, push the firmware image file in the master device only, and first, the slave device will get upgraded and later it will take the master position and another device will be upgraded.
After every image version upgrade, ensure both devices are in sync before proceeding for further upgrades. Upgrading the HA devices and getting in sync will take around 30 minutes.

Note:
Starting from v7.0.6, To upgrade firmware from GUI 
Go to System -> Fabric Management, Select the FortiGate, and select Upgrade. The FortiGate Upgrade pane opens and provides an option for selecting the firmware. 

• For v7.4.x, firmware upgrade under in System -> Firmware & Registration.
• Check the below screenshots showing the upgrade procedure in v7.4.x.
• Go to System -> Firmware & Registration.

• Select the Device and select Upgrade.
• Select the file upload option and add the appropriate firmware image downloaded from the support portal.

Related articles:

Troubleshooting Tip: FortiGate Supported Legacy Upgrade Paths.

Technical Tip: How to manually perform firmware upgrade from GUI.