How to Use the install commit Command in Cisco IOS XE Upgrades

When upgrading Cisco IOS XE-based devices using install mode, the install commit command is a critical step that ensures changes are saved and retained across reloads. If you're working with Catalyst 9000, ASR, or ISR platforms, understanding how and when to use this command can make or break your upgrade process.

What Does the install commit Command Do in Cisco IOS XE?

In install mode, software changes—like adding or activating a new version—are held in a temporary state. The install commit command finalizes these changes by making them persistent across reboots.

Failing to run this command after a successful software upgrade could result in the system reverting to the previous version after the next reload.

When Should You Use install commit During a Cisco Upgrade?

You should run install commit after verifying that the system has successfully booted with the new image and all services are stable. This typically follows the install activate step and a successful reload.

This command is essential whether you're upgrading a standalone Catalyst 9300 switch or an ASR router with high availability configurations.

What Happens If You Forget to Run install commit?

If the install commit command is not executed, the system remains in a non-persistent state. This means:

• The next reload will revert to the previous IOS XE image.
• Temporary .pkg files from the new image will still occupy storage.
• You may encounter a version mismatch in dual supervisor or stack environments.

In other words, the device will not retain the upgrade unless commit is explicitly run.

How Can You Recover If install commit Was Skipped?

If you reload the device before running install commit, and it reverts to the older image:

• Re-initiate the upgrade steps (install add, install activate).
• Ensure the system boots with the correct image.
• Then, issue install commit to finalize the change.

In some cases, you may need to manually clean up orphaned packages or reenter install mode from ROMMON, especially on Catalyst 9400 and ASR platforms.

Which Cisco Platforms Support the install commit Command?

This command is part of the Install Mode process and is supported on platforms running IOS XE, including:

• Catalyst 9000 Series (9200, 9300, 9400, 9500). 
• ASR 1000 routers.
• ISR 4000 Series.
• Industrial routers like IR1101.

Note: Some legacy devices running in Bundle Mode may not use install commit and instead rely on .bin image booting.

Why Is the install commit Command Critical for High Availability Setups?

In HA (High Availability) environments, such as dual-sup Catalyst 9400 or ASR routers in redundancy mode:

• Both active and standby units must commit the same software state.
• Failing to commit can result in switchover mismatches or boot failures.

Using install commit ensures synchronization between supervisors and maintains version parity after failover events.

How Is install commit Related to Rollback and Install History?

Once committed:

• The system updates its install history, which can be used for auditing or rollback.
• Rollback options using install rollback to depend on having valid checkpoints post-commit.

This also affects how much storage is available for future upgrades, as uncommitted images may linger in flash.

Conclusion

The install commit command is a simple yet powerful part of any IOS XE upgrade workflow. Whether you're managing a Catalyst 9000 switch stack or an ASR router, failing to use it can lead to wasted time and unexpected version rollbacks.