Blog
How to reset the password on a Hikvision DVR with your laptop
Short answer: on newer Hikvision DVRs you cannot reset the password by removing the battery anymore. Instead, download the Hikvision SADP tool on your laptop, contact Hikvision support, export the file the tool collects from your DVR, send it to them, and import the file they send back. Then you set a new password. You do not have to open up the DVR.
This happens a lot when the person who set up the camera system is gone and nobody knows the password. In the video I go through the whole process, including my real call with Hikvision support, so you know what to expect before you start.
Why the old battery trick does not work anymore
On older Hikvision DVR versions you could simply remove the battery inside the recorder and the password was cleared. That is no longer the case. On the new versions, even if you remove the battery, you cannot reset the password. So there is no reason to open the DVR: the reset is done from your computer with Hikvision's own software and their support team.
What you need before you start
- A laptop or computer connected to the same network as the DVR
- The Hikvision SADP tool (the easiest way to find it is to search Google for Hikvision SADP and download it from their website)
- A phone, because you have to call Hikvision support
- A new password ready that you will not forget
SADP is the tool that finds your DVR on the network and collects the information Hikvision needs to generate the reset.
Step 1: Download SADP and find your DVR
Go to the Hikvision website, download the SADP software and install it on your laptop. Once it is running, it will show the Hikvision device on your network. This is the device whose password you are going to reset.
Step 2: Call Hikvision support and exchange the files
Next you call Hikvision. The support agent will ask you to join a remote session (in my case it was a screen-sharing link from Hikvision where they gave me a join code). Once you join, a small program downloads and you open it so they can see your screen.
From there the process works like this:
- The SADP software collects a file from your DVR.
- That file is sent to Hikvision.
- Hikvision sends you back another file.
- You upload that file to your DVR through the software, and the reset is unlocked.
In my call the agent guided me through every click, so you do not have to know the details in advance.
Step 3: Set the new password
After the file is accepted, the software asks you for a new password. The rules I ran into were:
- At least eight characters
- No consecutive letters or numbers, so no 123 or ABC
- It needed at least one uppercase letter
Click show password and take a picture of it or write it down before you confirm, then enter it again to verify the change. Once it is confirmed, the password is reset and you can log in to the DVR and the cameras again.
My honest opinion: you depend on Hikvision
During the call I asked the support agent directly: if Hikvision goes out of business, will we still be able to reset the password? The answer was basically most likely not. As far as that password is concerned, you are Hikvision dependent all the time. If they close their business, you are toast and you will not be able to reset it.
That is why I do not recommend this brand. If you are buying a new system, buy something else. In my opinion Ubiquiti is much better. And if you are keeping your Hikvision system, choose a password you will not forget and store it somewhere safe, so you never have to go through this again.
Frequently asked questions
Can I reset a Hikvision DVR password by removing the battery?
Only on older versions. On the new Hikvision DVRs, removing the battery does not reset the password.
What software do I need to reset a Hikvision DVR password?
The Hikvision SADP tool, which you download from the Hikvision website and run on your laptop or computer.
Do I need to contact Hikvision to reset the password?
Yes. You call Hikvision support, the software collects a file from your DVR, Hikvision sends you another file back, and you upload it to the DVR to reset the password.
What happens if Hikvision goes out of business?
When I asked the support agent, the answer was that most likely you would not be able to reset the password anymore. That dependence is why I recommend another brand, like Ubiquiti.