How To Reset Dahua DVR/NVR Password

Dahua DVR default password is admin / admin on most current models. If that does not work, try admin / 123456, admin / 9999@ for firmware versions 3.1 through 7.x, or admin / 888888 on units manufactured before 2017. To fully reset a Dahua DVR or NVR password, you have six proven options: press the hardware reset button on the motherboard, use the Dahua Daily Password Generator (based on today’s date), use the CCTV Super Password Generator (based on the serial number), remove the CMOS battery, try one of the 10 known default credential combinations, or contact an authorised dealer for a remote reset. This step-by-step guide covers every method in full — most do not require a factory reset and will not erase your recordings.

Which Dahua DVR and NVR Models Does This Guide Cover?

These reset methods work on any recorder running genuine Dahua firmware or Dahua-based OEM firmware. If your unit’s web interface resembles Dahua’s standard UI, all methods below apply — regardless of the brand printed on the casing. Confirmed compatible brands include:

•       Amcrest, Ameta, Activecam, Ascendant, Backstreet Surveillance
•       B/V Security, CCTV Security Pros, CCTV Star, CP+ Orange Line
•       Dax Networks, eLine, ENS / Eastern CCTV / SavvyTech, Expose
•       Lorex, GSS, Honeywell, Infinity CCTV, Innekt, Intelbras
•       KBVision, Lumixen, Macron, Montavue, Oco, Optiview
•       Rhodium, RVI, Saxco, Security Camera King Elite
•       Space Technology, Speco, ToughDog, Tyco Hollis
•       Tyco Illustra Essentials, VIP Vision

If your recorder runs firmware with a Dahua-style interface — even if the brand is not listed here — these methods are almost certainly compatible.

Which Reset Method Should You Use? — Quick Decision Guide

Not sure where to start? Use this decision path to find the fastest method for your situation:

• Device is brand new or never had a password set → Try Method 2 (default passwords) first.
• You remember setting a password but forgot it → Try Method 3 (daily password generator) or Method 4 (super password generator). These recover access without erasing data.
• Recorder is in full lockout after too many failed attempts → Try Method 3 or Method 4 first. If both fail, use Method 5 (battery removal).
• You don’t mind losing configuration settings, just need access → Method 1 (hardware reset button) is the fastest option.
• Unit is in a difficult-to-reach location → Method 6 (dealer remote reset) requires no physical access.

Method 1 — Hardware Reset Button (Full Factory Reset)

The hardware reset button is built into the motherboard of most Dahua recorders manufactured after 2017. Pressing this button while the unit powers on performs either an authentication-only reset or a full factory reset, depending on the model. It is the most definitive hardware-level method available when all software approaches have failed.

Before you proceed — data risk: A full factory reset on most models deletes all system configuration: recording schedules, camera assignments, network settings, and user accounts. The video footage stored on the hard drive is usually preserved on the HDD itself but may be inaccessible until the system is reconfigured. If preserving footage without interruption is critical, use Method 3 or Method 4 first.

Step-by-Step: Hardware Reset Button

1. Power off the DVR or NVR completely and unplug the power cable from the rear of the unit.
2. Connect a monitor to the HDMI or VGA output port on the recorder so you can see the startup wizard when it appears.
3. Open the top or side panel of the unit to access the motherboard.
4. Locate the reset button. It is labelled RESET or RST, or is a small unlabelled pinhole located near the main CPU chip. Refer to your model’s quick-start guide if unsure.
5. Using a pen tip, straightened paperclip, or SIM eject tool, press and hold the reset button firmly.
6. While holding the reset button, reconnect the power cable. The unit will begin to boot.
7. Keep the button held for a full 30 seconds after the power is connected — do not release early.
8. Release the button. After a few seconds, the startup wizard will appear on the connected monitor.
9. Follow the on-screen prompts to create a new admin password and restore basic settings.

Alternative — front panel button: On some Dahua models, you can trigger a factory reset by holding the front-panel power button while reconnecting the power cable. No need to open the casing. The startup wizard will still appear on a connected monitor.

Method 2 — Dahua Default Passwords 

Before triggering any kind of reset, always try the full list of known Dahua default password combinations below. On a freshly installed unit, recently shipped device, or newly power-cycled recorder, one of these will often provide immediate access with zero disruption to your recordings or settings.

This table is the most comprehensive Dahua default password reference publicly available. Most other guides list only 2–4 combinations and miss the firmware-specific variations that are responsible for the majority of login failures.

Important — firmware v3.1 to 7.x: These firmware versions require the User Account function to be manually enabled after every reboot. Without this step, even the correct default password will be rejected at the login screen. After successfully logging in for the first time, go to Main Menu → Account → User and enable the User Account setting before your next reboot.

Important — first-time setup: If the unit has never had a password set — for example, a brand-new device or one with a newly installed hard drive — it will automatically launch the Password Recovery or first-run setup wizard. You will be prompted to create a new password rather than enter an existing one. This is normal behaviour and not a fault. 

Method 3 — Dahua Daily Password Generator (Date-Based — No Data Loss)

This is the recommended first method to try when you have forgotten the admin password and want to avoid any risk to your recorded footage. Dahua includes a built-in temporary access mechanism in all firmware versions that generates a one-time password based on the exact date shown on the recorder’s own timestamp.

Because the generated password is valid only for the calendar day it is created, this system provides secure recovery without permanently bypassing authentication. The password is different every single day, which means it cannot be pre-computed or guessed in advance.

Why This Method Is Better Than Waiting for Dahua Email Support

Some guides recommend emailing an XML file to Dahua support and waiting 24 to 48 hours for a response. This method achieves the same result in under two minutes, without sending any device data to a third party and without any waiting period.

Step-by-Step: Daily Password Generator

1. On the DVR or NVR login screen, look at the date displayed in the recorder’s own on-screen timestamp. Write it down exactly — do not use your phone or computer clock. Even a one-day difference will produce an incorrect password.
2. On a computer or phone, open the Dahua Password Generator tool (available free online — search ‘Dahua daily password generator’).
3. Enter the date in YYYYMMDD format. For example, enter 20250315 for 15 March 2025.
4. Click Generate. The tool will produce a temporary access password.
5. On the DVR/NVR login screen, enter admin as the username and the generated string as the password.
6. Once logged in successfully, immediately navigate to Main Menu → Account → User.
7. Set a new permanent password. Use the generated temporary password only as the ‘old password’ field — replace it with a strong new password that you will remember or store securely.

Troubleshooting: If the generated password is rejected, double-check that you used the exact date shown on the recorder’s screen — not your local time. If the recorder clock has drifted, the displayed date may differ from actual current date. In that case, proceed to Method 4.

Method 4 — CCTV Super Password Generator

The serial-number-based Super Password Generator is the most reliable fallback when Method 3 fails. It generates a recovery password based on the hardware serial number of the unit rather than the date, which means it works even when the recorder’s internal clock has drifted or the date is unknown.

This method is also the most frequently successful option for units that have been sitting unused for an extended period or where the CMOS battery has already been depleted, causing the clock to drift significantly.

How to Find the Dahua Serial Number

• Physical label: Check the sticker on the underside or rear panel of the recorder. The serial number is typically labelled S/N or SN.
• Login screen: On newer firmware, click the Forgot Password link on the login screen — it will display the serial number and a QR code directly.
• Web interface: Log in via browser, then go to Setup → System → General → Device Information.
• SmartPSS software: Open SmartPSS, add the device, and view its properties to find the serial number.

Step-by-Step: Super Password Generator

1. Download the CCTV Super Password app. It is available free for both Windows and Android.
2. Open the app and select your DVR or NVR model from the dropdown list. If your exact model is not listed, choose the closest matching series.
3. Enter the device serial number exactly as it appears on the unit label. Serial numbers are case-sensitive.
4. Click Generate. The tool may return up to five candidate passwords. Note all of them.
5. On the DVR/NVR login screen, try each candidate password in sequence with admin as the username.
6. Once you gain access, immediately set a new permanent password via Main Menu → Account → User.

Which generator to use first: If both Method 3 and Method 4 are available to you, try Method 3 (date-based) first — it is slightly faster. If the recorder’s clock appears to have drifted, or if Method 3 fails, switch to Method 4 (serial-number-based) immediately.

Method 5 — CMOS Battery Removal Reset

Removing the CMOS battery is a more invasive hardware method that should only be attempted after Methods 2, 3, and 4 have been exhausted. This technique clears the real-time clock chip on the motherboard, which effectively resets the system date to a known default state. Once the date is reset, the known default credentials can be used to regain entry.

This method is particularly effective on units that are in full lockout mode — for example, after the maximum number of incorrect login attempts has been exceeded and the system will not accept any new attempts for a cooling-off period.

Step-by-Step: CMOS Battery Removal

1. Power off the DVR/NVR completely and disconnect all cables, including the power supply.
2. Open the recorder enclosure by removing the top or side panel screws.
3. Locate the CMOS battery on the motherboard. It is a small round coin-cell battery, usually a CR2032, similar to a watch battery. It is typically located near the centre or edge of the main board.
4. Gently insert a non-conductive tool (a plastic spudger or wooden toothpick) under the edge of the battery and lever it out carefully. Do not use a metal screwdriver as this may short nearby components.
5. Set the battery aside and wait a minimum of 60 seconds. This ensures the capacitors on the board fully discharge and the RTC chip loses its stored time value.
6. Reinsert the CMOS battery in the correct orientation (positive side facing up on most boards).
7. Reassemble the unit and reconnect all cables.
8. Power on the recorder. The startup wizard will appear, prompting you to set a new date and create a new admin password.
9. At the login screen, try the following credentials: admin / 668648 or admin / 000000000000 (twelve zeros).

Critical — reset the clock immediately: After logging in, go directly to Main Menu → System → General and set the correct current date and time before doing anything else. If you skip this step, all motion-detection schedules, recording timers, and existing footage timestamps will be incorrect, which can cause confusion during evidence review or compliance audits.

Method 6 — Dealer or Certified Partner Remote Reset

Authorised Dahua dealers and certified partners can initiate a remote password reset through Dahua’s secure cloud infrastructure. This process typically takes under five minutes and requires no physical access to the recorder — making it the best option when the unit is wall-mounted, installed in a ceiling, located in a remote site, or in a locked cabinet.

How the Remote Reset Process Works

1. Contact the reseller or systems integrator who originally supplied or installed your recorder.
2. Provide proof of ownership. This is typically the original purchase invoice, or the device serial number verified against your purchase record.
3. The dealer contacts Dahua’s Australian technical support team and submits a reset request.
4. Dahua pushes a signed one-time reset authorisation to the device via the cloud management platform.
5. You receive a temporary access password by phone or email. Use it to log in immediately.
6. Once logged in, navigate to Main Menu → Account → User and set a new permanent password. The temporary password expires after a single use.

What if the original dealer is unavailable? If your original supplier has closed, or if you purchased the equipment second-hand, a certified Dahua partner with active reseller credentials can perform the same remote reset procedure on your behalf. Proof of current ownership is still required.

How long does it take? For dealers with a direct relationship with Dahua Australia, the process typically takes 5 to 15 minutes. If the dealer needs to escalate to Dahua’s technical team first, it can take up to a few hours — still significantly faster than the email-based XML file process which can take 24 to 48 hours.

Firmware Version-Specific Notes — Dahua v3.1 Through v7.x

Dahua firmware behaviour differs substantially across major versions. Understanding which firmware your unit runs can save significant time during a reset attempt. If you are unsure of your firmware version, it is often visible in the bottom corner of the login screen or under System → General → Version.

Firmware v3.1 and Earlier

• Default password is typically blank (no password) or 888888.
• Security Questions feature is not available on most builds.
• Dahua Config Tool (PC software) may be needed for password recovery.
• These units are generally at or past end-of-life and firmware updates are no longer available.

Firmware v4.x and v5.x

• Default password shifted to 9999@ — but the User Account mode must be enabled after every reboot.
• Without User Account enabled, even the correct password is rejected. This is the single most common source of confusion for users on these firmware versions.
• Security Questions recovery is available on most builds in this range.
• Dahua Daily Password Generator works reliably on these versions.

Firmware v6.x and v7.x

• Dahua enforces mandatory password creation on first login. There is no universal factory default — the device will not function until a password is set by the end user.
• The Forgot Password option on the login screen provides a QR code that can be scanned with the DMSS mobile app for direct password recovery — this is the fastest method on these firmware versions.
• Serial-number-based Super Password Generator (Method 4) is fully supported.
• These versions also support binding the device to a Dahua account for cloud-based password recovery.

How to Avoid Being Locked Out Again — Best Practices

1. Once you have regained access using any of the methods above, take a few minutes to put these safeguards in place so you never face this situation again:
2. Set up Security Questions immediately. Go to Main Menu → Account → User → click your admin account → Security Questions. Set three answers you will never forget.
3. Bind the device to a Dahua account. On firmware v6.x and v7.x, you can link the recorder to a free Dahua cloud account. If you forget the local password, you can reset it remotely through the DMSS app or through your Dahua account portal.
4. Store the password in a password manager. Use a dedicated application such as Bitwarden, 1Password, or your phone’s built-in keychain. Never store CCTV passwords in the same place as other sensitive credentials.
5. Record the serial number. Write or photograph the serial number from the back of the unit and keep it with your equipment documentation. You will need this for Method 4 if ever locked out again.
6. Note the firmware version. Check System → General → Version and note the firmware build number. This information is essential for choosing the correct recovery method quickly.
7. Set a calendar reminder to change the password every 90 days. Dahua recommends this as a security best practice — it also keeps you familiar with the access credentials so they are less likely to be forgotten.

Professional Password Recovery Assistance

If you have worked through every method in this guide and are still unable to regain access, Recovery Squad provides professional Dahua DVR and NVR password recovery services across Australia. Our technicians have direct access to Dahua firmware tools, console-level recovery utilities, and Dahua’s certified partner support channel — covering situations that cannot be resolved through standard self-service methods.