Is your camera no longer responding, unable to log in or have you forgotten the password? Then it may be necessary to reset a Hikvision camera. A reset returns the camera to its factory settings so you can reset it.
Many people think this is complicated, but in practice it's often not so bad. Most Hikvision IP cameras have a physical reset button that allows you to reset the camera within seconds. In this guide, we explain step by step how to reset a Hikvision camera, why a camera sometimes does not respond and what about the default password.
Do you use Hikvision cameras or want to install a new system? Check out our range of Hikvision IP camera surveillance.
There are several situations in which a reset may be necessary.
The most common reasons are:
you forgot the camera's password
the camera no longer responds in the network
the camera can no longer be added to the recorder
the camera is second-hand and is still on old settings
you want to reconfigure the camera
A reset restores all settings to factory defaults. After that, you can reinstall the camera.
The most common way to reset a Hikvision camera is via the physical reset button.
The camera must be powered on during the reset process. This can be done via:
PoE (Power over Ethernet)
12V power adapter
Most Hikvision IP cameras include the reset button:
under a cover near the SD card
inside the camera housing
sometimes under a small rubber cap
The button is small and usually has to be pressed with a paper clip or pin.
Press and hold the reset button for about 10 to 20 seconds while the camera is on.
Once the camera reboots, release the button. You will often see that:
the IR LEDs light up briefly
the indicator light changes
the camera reconnects to the network
After that, the camera is back to its factory settings.
In addition to a physical reset, there are also software-based ways to restore a Hikvision camera.
Hikvision has a program called SADP Tool. It allows you to detect and manage cameras on the network.
When you forget the password, you can generate a reset file through this tool. This file is then used to reset the password.
This process is often used by installers or when the reset button is not accessible.
When the camera is connected to a Hikvision recorder, you can sometimes perform a reset through the recorder settings.
In the recorder menu, you can select and reconfigure the camera or delete and add it again.
When a camera is not responding, it does not always mean that there is a defect. Often it is due to the network configuration or settings.
Common causes are:
an incorrect IP address
network conflicts
a wrong password
problems with PoE power supply
firmware problems
Resetting the camera often allows you to restart the installation and these problems disappear.
After a reset, the camera must be reset.
Usually, you go through these steps:
Connecting camera to the network
Search for camera via the Hikvision SADP Tool
Set a new password
Add camera to the recorder (NVR)
Checking camera images
Then the camera will work again as intended.
Hikvision is one of the world's best-known manufacturers of security cameras. The systems are widely used in homes, stores and commercial buildings because of their reliability and image quality.
A Hikvision camera system can include:
IP cameras
an NVR recorder
a monitor for camera images
network cabling
