To update the firmware on an Onkyo TX-NR6100, open the Setup menu, go to 7. Miscellaneous > Firmware Update > Update via NET, select Update, and press ENTER. When the front display says “Completed!”, press ON/STANDBY on the receiver itself to finish.
The update takes about 20 minutes, and Onkyo says your existing settings are kept. The receiver needs an internet connection for this method. If it isn’t online, you can load the same update from a USB flash drive instead. Before you start, turn off Zone 2 and set HDMI CEC to Off, because Onkyo lists both as things to do first.
Check which firmware you have
Start here so you know whether you even need an update.
- Press the Setup button on the remote, or SETUP on the front panel.
- Select 7. Miscellaneous and press ENTER.
- Select Firmware Update, then look at Version.
Compare that number with the one Onkyo lists. As of Onkyo’s firmware notes dated March 3, 2026, the current TX-NR6100 version is R142-1319-0280-0034. Onkyo posts newer notes when it releases an update, so check the TX-NR6100 firmware update page on Onkyo’s support site for the latest version and download.
Depending on when your receiver was made, it may already have a recent version installed.
What recent updates changed
Here are the highlights from Onkyo’s TX-NR6100 firmware update notes (PDF). If one of these problems sounds like yours, updating is worth the 20 minutes.
| Release date | Notable changes |
|---|---|
| March 3, 2026 | Updated Chromecast version. Fixed unexpected stops during DSD (DSF) file playback and Standby Through turning off by itself. |
| March 12, 2025 | Fixed no sound during Bluetooth playback from an iPhone. Spotify Lossless support was added in November 2025. |
| October 28, 2024 | Added Amazon Music HD, Dolby Atmos Music playback for Amazon Music HD and TIDAL, TIDAL MAX support, and Source Based Tone Mapping for HDMI 2.1a. |
| April 23, 2024 | Minor bug fixes and stability improvements. |
Before you start: 5 things to do
Onkyo warns that interrupting an update can cause problems, so set the receiver up for a clean run first.
- Turn off Zone 2 if you use it. Press OFF on the front panel, or hold ZONE 2 SHIFT on the remote and press the power button.
- Set HDMI CEC to Off. It’s under 5. Hardware > HDMI in the Setup menu. You’ll turn it back on afterward.
- Stop anything that’s playing, like internet radio, music from a USB drive, or music from a media server.
- Turn off any control devices connected to the receiver, and don’t use the Onkyo Controller app or a computer to reach the receiver during the update.
- Plan for 20 minutes without touching it. Don’t unplug cables, pull out a USB drive, or turn off the power until it’s done.
Update over the internet (easiest)
The receiver must already be connected to your home network by Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable. If it isn’t, follow our guide to getting the TX-NR6100 on Wi-Fi first.
- Turn on the receiver and switch the TV to the receiver’s input.
- Press the Setup button on the remote. The Setup menu appears on the TV.
- Select 7. Miscellaneous > Firmware Update > Update via NET, then press ENTER. If this option is grayed out, wait a little while. It becomes available once the network function finishes starting up. If it never becomes available, there’s no newer firmware for your receiver, or the receiver can’t reach the internet.
- Select Update and press ENTER. The update starts.
- Watch the receiver’s front display, not the TV. The TV screen may go black and stay black until you restart the receiver, which is normal.
- When the display shows “Completed!”, press ON/STANDBY on the front of the receiver to put it in standby. Onkyo specifically says not to use the remote’s power button for this step.
That’s it. Turn the receiver back on and check Version again to confirm the new number.
If an “Update Now” message pops up
When the receiver is online and Update Notice is enabled, it may tell you on its own that new firmware is available. Select Update Now with the cursor buttons and press ENTER. Do the prep steps above first if you have Zone 2 or HDMI CEC turned on. You can turn these notices on or off at 7. Miscellaneous > Firmware Update > Update Notice.
Update with a USB flash drive
Use this if the receiver isn’t online, or if the network update keeps failing. You’ll need a computer to download the file.
What kind of drive works
- A USB flash drive of 1 GB or larger, formatted FAT16 or FAT32. Onkyo’s support page asks for 1 GB, so use at least that.
- Erase everything on the drive first.
- Don’t use a memory card reader, a USB hub, or a drive with built-in security software. Onkyo says these aren’t supported.
Steps
- On your computer, download the TX-NR6100 firmware file from Onkyo’s firmware update page. The file name follows the pattern ONKAVR****_R***.zip.
- Unzip the file.
- Copy all of the unzipped files and folders to the top level (root) of the flash drive. Don’t put them inside another folder.
- Plug the drive into the receiver’s USB port. If the drive has its own power adapter, plug that into the wall too.
- Press the Setup button and go to 7. Miscellaneous > Firmware Update > Update via USB, then press ENTER. If it’s grayed out, wait for the receiver to finish starting up. If it stays unavailable, the receiver doesn’t see a newer firmware file on the drive.
- Select Update and press ENTER.
- Wait. Don’t turn off the power or remove the drive. The TV may go black; the front display shows progress.
- When “Completed!” appears, unplug the USB drive.
- Press ON/STANDBY on the receiver (not the remote) to put it in standby. The update is finished.
After the update
- Turn the receiver back on and confirm the new number under Version.
- Set HDMI CEC back to On under 5. Hardware > HDMI if you want your TV and receiver to control each other over HDMI.
- Turn Zone 2 back on if you use it. See our TX-NR6100 Zone 2 guide if it doesn’t play right away.
Error codes and what they mean
If the update fails, the front display shows an error code. Onkyo lists the codes with an asterisk (*) in place of the first character. Here’s what Onkyo says each one means:
| Method | Error code | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network | *-01, *-10 | The receiver can’t find the Ethernet cable. | Connect the cable securely. |
| Network | *-02, *-03, *-04, *-05, *-06, *-11, *-13, *-14, *-16, *-17, *-18, *-20, *-21 | Internet connection error. | Make sure the router is on and connected. Unplug and replug the power cords of the receiver and router. Ask your internet provider whether a DNS or proxy server setting is needed. |
| USB | *-01, *-10 | The USB drive isn’t recognized. | Reseat the drive. If it has a power adapter, plug that in. |
| USB | *-05, *-13, *-20, *-21 | The firmware file is missing, or it’s for a different model. | Download the file again, unzip it, and copy it to the root of the drive. |
| Either | Any other code | Something else interrupted the update. | Unplug the receiver’s power cord, plug it back in, and start the update again. |
If network updates keep failing even though streaming works, switch to the USB method. It skips the internet download step entirely.
Common questions
Will updating erase my settings?
No. Onkyo’s manual says existing settings are kept with both the network and USB methods. That’s different from a factory reset of the TX-NR6100, which wipes every setting. If a problem continues after updating, a reset is the next step.
Can I update without a TV?
Onkyo’s steps are written for the on-screen menu. The Setup menu also appears on the receiver’s front display, and the progress and “Completed!” message show on the front display too. The TV is still the easiest way to follow along.
Will a firmware update add Dirac Live?
Not according to Onkyo’s official information. The TX-NR6100 isn’t on Onkyo’s or Dirac’s lists of Onkyo receivers with Dirac Live, and the TX-NR6100 update notes don’t mention it. The TX-NR6100’s room correction is AccuEQ.
For the full procedure in Onkyo’s own words, see the Firmware Update section of the TX-NR6100 instruction manual (PDF).