## Who this guide is for

This guide is only for customers whose currently installed firmware version is 26.04 or earlier.

**Important:** Do not use this manual update process if your firmware version is 26.05 or later. Instead, follow [**Guide 4: Updating Firmware from 26.05 or Later**](https://support.starlabs.systems/hc/star-labs/articles/1789122514-guide-4-updating-firmware-from-26-05-or-later).

If you do not know which firmware version is installed, follow [**Guide 3: How to Check Which Firmware Version You Are Using**](https://support.starlabs.systems/hc/star-labs/articles/1789121469-guide-3) before continuing.

## Supported models

The manual updater currently supports:

* StarFighter Mk II — Intel variants

* StarFighter Mk I — Intel variants

* StarBook Horizon

* StarLite Mk V

* StarLite Mk IV

* StarLite Mk III

* StarBook Mk VII and StarBook Ultra

* StarBook Mk VI

* StarBook Mk V

* LabTop Mk IV

* LabTop Mk III

* Byte Mk III

* Byte Mk II

* Byte Mk I

If your computer is not listed, do not attempt the update. Contact Star Labs Support for advice.

## Before you begin

Before starting the update:

* Read this guide in full.

* Confirm that your firmware version is 26.04 or earlier.

* Check that your Star Labs model is included in the supported-model list above.

* Connect the computer to its charger.

* If the computer has a battery, make sure it is charged to at least 30%.

* Save your work and close any open applications.

Do not continue if you are unsure which update method applies to your computer.

## Update your firmware

1. Open Terminal from the Applications menu, or press **Ctrl + Alt + T**.

2. Enter the following command and press **Enter**:

```
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/StarLabsLtd/firmware/refs/heads/main/updater.sh | bash
```

**Please note:** If you copy and paste the command, copy only the command shown above and check that it has been entered correctly before pressing **Enter**. In most Linux terminals, use **Ctrl + Shift + V** to paste.

1. The updater will check your computer and identify the appropriate firmware update.

2. Read and follow every instruction displayed in the terminal.

3. When the update has completed, restart or shut down the computer as instructed by the updater.

Do not switch off or restart the computer while the firmware is being updated unless the updater instructs you to do so.

## Security checks

The updater automatically checks Secure Boot and BIOS Lock.

If either setting needs to be changed, the updater will display instructions and may offer to restart the computer and open the firmware settings. Follow the instructions shown, then start Linux and run the update command again.

If the updater reports that access for flashrom is blocked, follow the instructions displayed in Terminal. Run only the command provided by the updater, restart the computer and then run the main update command again.

## Customers using Qubes OS

The simplest manual update method for Qubes OS users is to start the computer from a standard Ubuntu live USB and run the manual update command from there.

If you prefer to perform the update from within Qubes OS, run the command from a dom0 Terminal.

Read all instructions carefully before continuing, as the process differs from most other Linux distributions.

## If an error occurs

If Terminal displays an error involving update-grub or another bootloader update command, **do not restart the computer**. Contact Star Labs Support and send us the complete output displayed in Terminal.

You should also stop and contact Star Labs Support if:

* The command does not work.

* Terminal reports that curl is unavailable.

* The updater tells you to contact support.

* Your computer model is not listed.

* The update does not complete.

* You are unsure how to follow an instruction displayed by the updater.

Do not switch to another update method or attempt to force, modify or repeat the update unless Star Labs Support instructs you to do so.

When contacting us, include your computer model, current firmware version, Linux distribution and the complete output displayed in Terminal.

## After updating

Follow any restart or shutdown instructions displayed by the updater.

Once firmware version 26.05 or later is installed, future firmware updates should normally be installed through LVFS. Follow [**Guide 4: Updating Firmware from 26.05 or Later**](https://support.starlabs.systems/hc/star-labs/articles/1789122514-guide-4-updating-firmware-from-26-05-or-later) for future updates.