How to update your UniFi Controller Service

Keeping your UniFi network running smoothly is like keeping your favorite car in top shape. Regular maintenance and timely updates are essential. The same goes for your UniFi controller. Updates are more than just a new number in the version; they bring new features, fix bugs, and patch security vulnerabilities.

Let's Dive In!

Table of Contents

• Why updating your UniFi controller is important
• Preparation before updating
• How to update your UniFi controller
  • Step 1: Download the latest version
  • Step 2: Stop the UniFi service
  • Step 3: Install the update
  • Step 4: Restart the UniFi service
  • Step 5: Verify the update
• Troubleshooting Common Issues
  • Automating updates
• Final Thoughts!

Why updating your UniFi controller is important

Let's start with why these updates matter. UniFi, like any software, is constantly evolving. New updates might bring enhanced features, like better user interfaces, improved connectivity, or even entirely new capabilities that you didn’t know you needed. Beyond the bells and whistles, updates are crucial for security.

Cyber threats evolve, and vulnerabilities can emerge in older software versions. By updating regularly, you ensure that your network is protected against the latest threats.

Moreover, performance improvements in updates can optimize how your network runs, making sure that all those devices connected to your Wi-Fi get the best possible service without any hiccups.

In short, staying updated means you’re getting the best of what UniFi has to offer—security, performance, and new features.

Preparation before updating

Before jumping into the update, there are a few preparatory steps you should take to make sure everything goes smoothly. Think of it like getting your car ready for a road trip; you wouldn’t just hit the highway without checking your oil, right?

1. Backup your current settings: This is your safety net. If something goes wrong during the update, having a backup means you can easily restore your previous configuration without any panic.

To do this, log into your UniFi Network application, navigate to Settings > Maintenance > Backup, and create a backup file. Save this file somewhere safe.

2. Review the release notes: Whenever a new update is released, Ubiquiti provides detailed release notes. These notes are like the changelog for the update, listing new features, fixes, and known issues. Skimming through them will give you a heads-up on what to expect and whether any features you rely on might be affected.

3. Schedule some downtime: Even though the actual update process is relatively quick, it’s smart to plan it during a period when your network isn’t in heavy use. This minimizes disruption, especially if you manage a network in a business environment. Remember, while the network might continue running, the controller itself will be temporarily unavailable during the update.

How to update your UniFi controller

With your preparations complete, it’s time to get down to business. Updating your UniFi controller is straightforward, but the steps vary slightly depending on whether you’re running it on Windows, macOS, or Linux. Here’s how you do it.

Step 1: Download the latest version

Head over to the Ubiquiti website and grab the latest version of the UniFi Network Controller software. Make sure you download the version appropriate for your operating system. Save it to a location on your computer where you can easily find it.

Step 2: Stop the UniFi service

Before installing the update, you’ll need to stop the UniFi service running on your machine.

• Windows:

  1. Open Services from the Start menu.

  2. Scroll down to find UniFi.

  3. Right-click on it and select Stop.

• Linux:

  1. Open your terminal.
  2. Run the following command:

     sudo systemctl stop unifi
     

  This command stops the UniFi service, preparing your system for the update.

Step 3: Install the update

Now that the service is stopped, you can proceed with the installation.

• On Windows and macOS, simply run the installer you downloaded. The process is straightforward—just follow the prompts.

• For Linux, you’ll need to use the terminal:

  1. Upload the ".deb" package you downloaded to your server.
  2. SSH into your server.
  3. Run the following command to install the update:

     sudo dpkg -i /path/to/unifi_sysvinit_all.deb
     

     Replace "/path/to/" with the actual path to your downloaded ".deb" file.

This command installs the new version over your existing setup, keeping all your configurations intact.

Step 4: Restart the UniFi service

With the update installed, you need to restart the UniFi service to apply the changes.

• Windows:

  1. Go back to Services.

  2. Find UniFi.

  3. Right-click and choose Start.

• Linux:

  1. Open your terminal again and run:

     sudo systemctl start unifi
     

This command will start the UniFi service back up, now running the updated software.

Step 5: Verify the update

Finally, open your UniFi controller in your web browser as you normally would. Log in and check the controller version to confirm that the update was successful. You can find this information on the dashboard or in the controller settings under System Information.

If everything is running smoothly and the version number matches the latest release, congratulations! You’ve successfully updated your UniFi controller.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Updates usually go off without a hitch, but just in case you run into issues, here’s how to troubleshoot some common problems:

• Controller won’t start: If your controller doesn’t start after the update, check the logs to see what’s going wrong. On Linux, use the following command:

  tail -f /var/log/unifi/server.log
  

  Look for any errors related to the database or conflicts with other software running on the same machine.

• Devices not reconnecting: If your devices don’t reconnect to the controller after the update, make sure the controller is listening on the correct port (default is 8080). Also, double-check that your firewall settings haven’t changed, which could block the connection. Check our troubleshooting guide here.

• Restoring from backup: In the unlikely event that the update causes major issues, you can restore your controller from the backup you made earlier. Go to Settings > Maintenance > Restore, upload your backup file, and your system should return to its pre-update state.

Automating updates

If you’re managing multiple controllers or just don’t want to manually update every time, automating the update process can save you a lot of time. Here’s a simple way to automate updates on a Linux system using a cron job:

1. Create a script:

   #!/bin/bash
   
   apt-get update
   
   apt-get install -y unifi
   
   systemctl restart unifi
   

   Save this script and make it executable.
2. Set up a cron job to run the script periodically:

   crontab -e
   

   Add a line like this to run the script weekly:

   0 2 * * 0 /path/to/your/script.sh
   

This setup will check for updates every week and install them automatically.

Final Thoughts!

Keeping your UniFi Controller up-to-date is essential for the health and security of your network. It might seem like just another task on your to-do list, but it’s one of the most important.

With a few simple steps—backing up your settings, downloading the latest version, stopping the service, installing the update, and restarting—you can ensure that your network stays in top shape.

Regular updates not only protect your network from vulnerabilities but also bring new features and improvements that make your life easier.

If you’re using a cloud-hosted controller, like the ones we offer at UniHosted, we handle all of this for you. Our automated systems ensure that your controller is always running the latest version without you having to lift a finger.