PSP:Updating your Firmware (OFW)

Updating firmware on the PlayStation Portable is a fairly simple process, and is required to use newer custom firmwares.

Removing spoofed firmware on old CFW

If your PSP currently has an old CFW such as 5.00 M33, it may have an update blocker enabled. To enable firmware updates, you can do with the following methods.

Recovery Menu

1. While the console is off, hold the R button and power on the console. This will enter a recovery menu.
2. Find a setting named Use fake version.txt and disable it.
3. Exit the recovery menu. You should now be able to install OFW updates.

Removing version.txt from flash0

1. Open the VSH menu by pressing the Select button from the XMB.
2. Change USB device to Flash0.
3. Connect your PSP to a computer with a Mini-USB cable. If USB Auto Connect is disabled, scroll to the settings column in the XMB and enable a USB connection.
4. Navigate to \vsh\etc\.
5. Delete the file named version.txt. Do not delete any other files on flash0.
6. Disconnect your PSP from the PC and change the USB device back to Memory Stick in VSH menu. You should now be able to install OFW updates.

Updating with the Internet

The PSP does not support modern Wi-Fi encryption standards (WPA 2/3), so you will need access to a network with WPA 1/2 mixed, WPA 1, WEP, or no encryption. A mobile phone's hotspot with open security is an easy solution to get a PSP online temporarily.

The PSP Street (E1000) does not have any Wi-Fi connectivity!

1. Select (Settings) > (System Update).
   • You must have a Memory Stick inserted if you are using a PSP-1000/2000/3000 series system. 32 MB Memory Sticks cannot store updates newer than 6.20.
2. Select [Update via Internet].
3. Select the connection that you want to use. The system connects to the network using an access point.
   • If you do not have a connection saved, select [New Connection] to create a connection.
4. Download the update data. When connected to the network, the system scans for the latest update data. Follow the on-screen instructions to download the update data and to start the update.
   • If you do not want to update the system immediately after the download, you can do so later by selecting (Settings) > (System Update) > [Update via Storage Media] to install the update data.
5. Press the X button. (O button if on a Japanese console) The update process will begin.

Updating with Storage Media

To perform an update via storage media, you must first download the update data by selecting [Update via Internet] or by using a PC. Game discs may also contain firmware updates. You can find official firmware updates on Darthsternie's archive or the Midnightchannel archive.

1. Connect either the PSP to a computer/phone/tablet using a mini-USB cable, or connect its Memory Stick to a computer using a Memory Stick compatible card reader.
   • You must have a Memory Stick inserted if you are using a PSP Street (E1000) or PSP-1000/2000/3000 series system. The PSP-Go has built-in memory, but requires a USB cable to be accessed. 32 MB Memory Sticks cannot store updates newer than 6.20.
2. If you are connecting the PSP directly to a computer, you will need to enable the USB connection in the settings if USB Auto Connect is disabled.
3. Install and rename the desired firmware update to PSP/GAME/UPDATE/EBOOT.PBP on the console's Memory Stick.
4. Select (Settings) > (System Update).
5. Either select the update application in the (Game) coulumn or select [Update via Storage Media]. in the Settings.
6. After running the update application, the update process will begin.