Things You'll Need
Instructions
Plug your USB flash drive into your computer and view its contents. Create a folder titled "PS3" within the main drive. Do not create this folder inside of another folder.
Open the "PS3" folder and create a subfolder. Title this subfolder "UPDATE" and do not create any additional folders. The PS3 looks for "PS3" and then "UPDATE" to scan for the system update file. The name of the folder must be in uppercase letters. If it cannot read these two folders, the update will fail.
Visit the PlayStation official website to download the latest system update for PS3. Name the downloaded file "PS3UPDAT.PUP" and save it to the "UPDATE" folder on your USB flash drive. Remove the flash drive from the computer and place it on the USB drive on the front side of your PS3.
Turn on your PS3 console and access the settings menu from the start screen. From the dropdown menu, select the "System Update" icon.
Select "Update via Storage Media" to notify the PS3 that it should download the system update from the USB flash drive and not attempt to use the Internet. The PS3 will prompt you upon finding the system update file, at which point you should commence the download.