💾 Offline Flashing Protocol

How to Install TV Firmware via USB Drive

Update your TV with zero network connectivity. Follow this foolproof interactive checklist to prepare your USB flash drive and flash your display safely.

📋 Pre-Flight Preparation Checklist

Click each step as you complete it before plugging into your TV.

Progress: 0/6

1. Obtain a USB Flash Drive (minimum 4GB)

A standard USB 2.0 or 3.0 flash drive is recommended.

2. Format USB Drive as FAT32 or NTFS

Critical: LG webOS does NOT recognize exFAT, APFS, or ext4. Ensure it is FAT32 or NTFS.

3. Create root folder named exactly LG_DTV

In the top-level root directory of the flash drive, create a folder named LG_DTV (all caps, with underscore).

4. Download and Extract the Official Firmware ZIP

Download the official .zip package from the OwnTheGlass catalog, unzip it, and locate the .epk firmware file inside.

5. Place the .epk file inside LG_DTV

Copy the .epk file directly into the LG_DTV folder (do NOT put the .zip file itself inside).

6. Safely Eject the USB Flash Drive

Safely unmount / eject from your Mac or PC to ensure the file buffer is completely written.

Detailed Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Format the USB Flash Drive

Format the flash drive on your computer using FAT32 (recommended for all systems) or NTFS (Windows).

Windows: Right click USB drive → Format → File System: FAT32 (or NTFS) → Start.

macOS: Open Disk Utility → Select USB Drive → Erase → Format: MS-DOS (FAT) → Scheme: Master Boot Record.

Create the Root `LG_DTV` Folder

LG webOS TVs scan specifically for a top-level directory named LG_DTV. If the folder is misspelled or placed inside a subfolder, the TV will completely ignore the firmware.

USB_ROOT/
└── LG_DTV/
└── starfish-atsc-secured-m20-....epk

Insert into TV USB Port

Turn your TV ON. Plug the prepared USB drive into any available USB port on the back or side of the TV.

💡 What should happen: Within 5 to 15 seconds, a pop-up window will automatically appear on screen reading:

"A software update file has been found. Do you want to update software to version [X.XX.XX]?"

Initiate Update & Do Not Unplug

Select "Update" or "Yes" using your remote control.

⚠️ Crucial Warning: Do NOT turn off the TV, disconnect power, or remove the USB drive while the update is installing. The TV will restart automatically once the installation completes.

Frequently Asked Questions & Troubleshooting

Why doesn't the TV display the update prompt when I plug in the USB? ▼

1. Check the file system: webOS does NOT support exFAT or APFS. Format the drive as FAT32 or NTFS.

2. Verify folder name: It must be exactly LG_DTV in capital letters at the drive root.

3. Verify file type: Make sure you unzipped the downloaded file and placed the .epk file inside LG_DTV (not the .zip file).

4. Try a different USB port on the TV.

Does updating via USB turn Wi-Fi or tracking back on? ▼

No. If your TV has never joined your Wi-Fi network (or you chose "Forget Network"), firmware flashing does not magically connect to Wi-Fi. Your TV remains completely air-gapped.

Can I downgrade to an older firmware release? ▼

Standard official webOS firmware will reject flashing if the firmware on the USB is older than or equal to the firmware currently installed on the TV. Firmware updates are forward-only.