Is your camera no longer responding, unable to log in, or have you forgotten the password? Then it may be necessary to reset a Dahua camera. A reset will return the camera to its factory settings so you can start the installation again.
This may sound complicated, but in practice it is often quite simple. In fact, many Dahua cameras have a physical reset button that allows you to reset the device within seconds. In this guide, we explain step by step how to reset a Dahua camera, why a camera sometimes doesn't respond and what the default password is.
Are you using Dahua cameras or considering a new system? Check out our product range Dahua IP camera surveillance.
There are several situations in which a reset may be useful or even necessary.
The most common reasons are:
you forgot the camera's password
the camera no longer responds in the network
you cannot connect to the recorder
the camera is second-hand and is still on old settings
the camera needs to be reset
Resetting the camera restores all settings to factory defaults. After that, you can reconfigure the camera.
The most common method is a physical reset via the reset button on the camera.
The camera must be powered on. This can be done via:
PoE (Power over Ethernet)
12V power supply
Without power, the reset button does not work.
Many Dahua IP cameras include the reset button:
under a cover near the SD card slot
inside the camera housing
sometimes under a small rubber cap
The button is usually small and must 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.
Release the button as soon as the camera reboots. You often notice this because:
the IR LEDs light up briefly
theindicator light changes
the camera reconnects
After the reset, the camera is back to factory settings.
In addition to the physical reset, there are also software-based ways to reset a Dahua camera.
The Dahua ConfigTool allows you to detect cameras on the network. If you have forgotten the password, you can generate a recovery file (XML) via this tool.
The steps are usually:
Install Dahua ConfigTool on your computer
Locate the camera in the network
Export a reset file
Upload the file to Dahua for password recovery
This is often used by installers or when a physical reset is not possible.
When the camera is connected to a Dahua recorder, you can sometimes reset via the menu as well.
Go to:
System → Default → Factory Default
Here you can reset the camera to factory defaults.
When a camera does not respond, it does not necessarily mean that it is defective. It is often due to settings or the network connection.
Common causes are:
wrong IP address
network conflict
wrong PoE connection
wrong password
firmware problems
In many cases, a reset helps to reconfigure the system.
After resetting, the camera must be reset.
Usually you go through these steps:
Connect camera to the network
Search camera via Dahua ConfigTool
Set new password
Add camera to the recorder (NVR)
Check camera image
Then the camera will work again as intended.
Dahua is one of the largest manufacturers of security cameras worldwide. The cameras are known for their reliability and image quality.
Dahua systems are commonly used for:
homes
stores
commercial properties
warehouses
catering
Want to install a new system or replace an existing camera? Then check out our range of Dahua IP camera surveillance.
