Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Upgrade Guide

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Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Upgrade Guide

Activate a new software image

Updated: July 1, 2026

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Configure a device to activate a new software image using Cisco SD-WAN Manager. This process enables you to upgrade or downgrade the device software as needed.

Activate a software image that is currently loaded on a device to change the running software version. This procedure supports both upgrades and downgrades, depending on the image selected.

  • Ensure the device runs the desired software version for operational requirements or feature support.

Use this task when you need to change the active software image on a device managed by Cisco SD-WAN Manager. This is relevant after uploading a new image or when reverting to a previous version.

  • If you did not check the Activate and Reboot check box during the upgrade procedure, you must manually activate the upgraded software version.

  • You cannot downgrade Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN devices from Cisco IOS XE Catalyst SD-WAN Release 26.1.1 to earlier releases.

Before you begin

  • To activate software for Cisco SD-WAN Manager while using a custom user group, you must have read permission and read-write permissions to upgrade each software feature.

  • Ensure the desired software image is already loaded on the device.

Follow these steps to activate a new software image on the device:

Procedure

  1. From the Cisco SD-WAN Manager menu, choose Maintenance > Software Upgrade.

  2. Choose WAN Edge, Control Components, or Manager.

  3. For the desired device or devices, check the check box to choose the device or devices.

  4. Click Activate. The Activate Software dialog box opens.

  5. Choose the software version to activate on the device.

  6. Click Activate. Cisco SD-WAN Manager reboots the device and activates the new software image.

    If the control connection to Cisco SD-WAN Manager does not come up within the configured time limit, Cisco SD-WAN Manager automatically reverts the device to the previously running software image. The configured time limit for all Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN devices to come up after a software upgrade is 5 minutes, except for Cisco vEdge device, which have a default time of 12 minutes.

    If the image activation fails, do not attempt to activate the image again. Remove the image from the device, then attempt to install and activate the image again.

After completing these steps, the device reboots and runs the newly activated software image. If activation fails or the device does not reconnect, the system may revert to the previous image.