An access point (AP) of an AP multi-link device (MLD) is associated with a first communication link, and one or more secondary APs of the AP MLD are associated with one or more respective secondary communication links of the AP MLD. The first AP of the AP MLD generates a frame including a first change sequence field, one or more secondary change sequence fields, and a critical update flag subfield. The first change sequence field carries a value of the most-recent critical update for the first AP. The one or more secondary change sequence fields carry values of the most-recent critical updates for the one or more respective secondary APs. The critical update flag subfield carries an indication of a change in value of at least one of the secondary change sequence fields. The first AP transmits the frame over the first communication link of the AP MLD.