How to Update Firmware on Linux/Ubuntu from Command Line

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I recently bought a Dell WD19TBS Thunderbolt Docking Station when setting up my Dual Monitor + Dual Laptop Desk. When looking at reviews online about it, I noticed people mentioning that you need to update its firmware so that it creates less fan noise. I initially thought upgrading hardware firmware would be a hassle on Linux/Ubuntu, but it’s pretty simple!

All you need to do is run the following commands:

sudo apt install fwupd   # In case you don't have the command installed already
sudo fwupdmgr refresh    # Update metadata from remote server
sudo fwupdmgr update     # This installs the latest firmware updates

fwupdmgr stands for firmware-update-manager (probably).

And that’s it. I could update my Dell WD19TBS Thunderbolt Docking Station with the above commands. Not just the docking station, I think I had a few other hardware that got updated automatically. Give it a try on your Linux, and who knows, maybe you will find some outdated firmware getting updated too.

Special thanks to this question on AskUbuntu for pointing me in the right direction.

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