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Hikvision Default Password: Complete Guide for DVR, NVR, IP Camera and Intercom

By July 29, 2026October 5th, 2026No Comments

Founded in 2001 in China, Hikvision is a big player in producing CCTV systems that are not just deemed elite in the country, but wherever they are exported as well. At the time of writing, it’s the world’s biggest surveillance company exporting products in more than 190 countries, yet unheard of. 

Here comes the point when you have not only heard of the company, but you are also using their product(s). Are you currently using a pre-owned model of a Hikvision product? If you are looking for Hikvision camera or NVR factory default passwords in 2026, you will have to figure out when your device was made, since models made after 2015 stopped coming with a default password. 

Hikvision Default Passwords and IP Address

If you are looking for a Hikvision default password, there is an important detail to know first: newer Hikvision cameras, DVRs, and NVRs generally do not come with a preset password. Instead, newer devices arrive in an inactive state. During the initial setup, you create an admin password before the device can be used. This is different from older Hikvision hardware, which often came with factory-set login details.

If you are working with an older device, legacy credentials may still apply. The exact login details depend on the device and its firmware. You also need to know the device’s IP address before you can access its login page. Hikvision devices have commonly used default IP addresses, but your router may assign a different address after setup.

Here is what you need to know about Hikvision passwords, IP addresses, and password recovery.

Hikvision Default IP Address

The commonly used default IP addresses for Hikvision devices are:

Device Type Default IP
IP Camera 192.168.1.64
DVR / NVR 192.168.1.108
Video Intercom 192.168.1.110

These addresses are useful when setting up a device for the first time, but they may not remain the same after the device joins your network.

For example, your router may assign the camera a different address through DHCP. If you enter the default IP and cannot reach the device, that does not necessarily mean something is wrong with the camera.

One of the easiest ways to locate a Hikvision device on your network is the SADP Tool, or Smart Active Device Protocol Tool. Hikvision provides it for discovering devices on the local network.

SADP can show information such as the device’s IP address, MAC address, and activation status. This makes it useful when you cannot remember which IP address was assigned to your camera, NVR, or DVR.

Legacy Hikvision Default Passwords

Older Hikvision products used a much simpler login system.

Many devices from the earlier generation used admin as the username and 12345 as the password. This was common on older cameras, DVRs, and NVRs.

Some OEM or rebranded Hikvision products used different credentials. Depending on the model, firmware, and reseller, you may come across combinations such as these:

Username Password Device Type
admin 12345 Older IP cameras, DVRs, and NVRs
admin admin Some OEM-rebranded devices
admin blank Some older IP camera models
admin 4321 Select OEM variants
guest guest Some read-only guest accounts
user user Select OEM variants

These credentials are relevant only to certain older devices. They should not be treated as universal Hikvision login details.

If admin / 12345 does not work, the device may already have been activated with a custom password. It could also be a newer device that never had a default password in the first place.

Why Is the Hikvision Default Password 12345 Not Working?

There are several reasons why 12345 may not work.

Your device is newer

Modern Hikvision devices are generally shipped in an inactive state rather than with a preset admin password.

During the first setup, you are asked to create your own password. This means there is no factory password to enter.

If you open the device through a browser or the SADP Tool and see an activation screen asking you to create a password, the device is behaving normally.

Someone already activated the device

If the camera or recorder was installed by someone else, the original installer may have created the admin password.

The same applies if you bought a used Hikvision system or inherited an existing security setup.

In that situation, the issue is not a missing default password. You simply do not know the password that was previously created.

The account has been locked

Repeated incorrect login attempts can cause a Hikvision account to become temporarily locked.

If you see a message such as “User locked,” stop entering passwords repeatedly. Depending on the device and firmware, you may need to wait before trying again or use one of the available password recovery options.

How to Reset Your Hikvision Password

The recovery method available to you depends on your device, firmware, and the recovery options that were configured during setup.

Here are the main options to check.

Method 1: Hik-Connect App

If your device is already linked to Hik-Connect, this can be one of the simplest recovery options.

On the device login screen, select Forgot Password and look for the Hik-Connect verification option.

A QR code may appear on the screen. Open Hik-Connect, select the password reset option, and scan the code. Follow the verification process and use the provided code to create a new password.

This option depends on the device already being associated with your Hik-Connect account.

If it is not linked, you may need to use another recovery method.

Method 2: SADP Tool and GUID File

The SADP Tool can also be used as part of Hikvision’s password recovery process on supported devices.

Open SADP on a computer connected to the same local network. Find your device and select the password recovery option.

Depending on the device and its setup, you may be able to export a recovery file and send it to the appropriate Hikvision support channel or authorized distributor.

If a recovery file such as a GUID was created during the original setup, it may also be useful during this process.

The exact recovery procedure can vary between models and firmware versions, so follow the instructions provided for your specific device.

Method 3: Email Recovery

Some Hikvision devices support email-based password recovery if a recovery email address was configured during activation.

If this option is available, select Forgot Password from the device’s login screen and follow the email recovery instructions.

You will need access to the recovery email account, and the device may need to be connected to the network for the process to work.

Method 4: Physical Factory Reset

A physical reset should generally be considered a last resort.

Some Hikvision cameras have a physical reset button located under a cover or inside the camera housing. The exact location and reset procedure depend on the model.

DVRs and NVRs may also have a reset option, but the procedure differs between models.

A factory reset can remove configuration settings and may affect stored recordings or other device settings. Before using this option, check the manual for your exact model and make sure you understand what will be erased.

Hikvision Default Password by Device Type

The password situation can vary depending on whether you have a DVR, NVR, IP camera, or intercom.

DVR Default Password

Older Hikvision DVRs commonly used admin / 12345 as their original credentials.

Newer models use an activation process instead. During initial setup, you create the administrator password rather than using a preset one.

If you have an older DVR and the traditional credentials do not work, someone may have already changed the password.

NVR Default Password

Hikvision NVRs follow a similar pattern.

Older models may have used legacy credentials such as admin / 12345, while newer NVRs generally require you to create an admin password during activation.

Firmware and model differences matter here, so do not assume that every Hikvision NVR uses the same login details.

IP Camera Default Password

Older Hikvision IP cameras commonly used admin as the username with 12345 as the password.

Current-generation cameras generally use the activation process instead. You create the password when setting up the device.

In some installations, an NVR can also handle camera activation or password management during the setup process. How this works depends on the equipment and configuration being used.

Intercom Default Password

Hikvision video intercom products also use an activation process on supported newer models.

There is generally no universal factory password that you can use across current intercom devices. The administrator password is created during initial setup through the supported configuration software or web interface.

The commonly used default IP address for some Hikvision intercom devices is 192.168.1.110, although the actual address may change once the device is configured on your network.

How to Find Your Hikvision Admin Password If You Did Not Set It

If you inherited a Hikvision system and do not know the administrator password, avoid repeatedly guessing.

Start with the least disruptive options.

Check the installation documents.
If an installer set up the system, they may have recorded the administrator credentials in the handover paperwork or installation notes.

Ask the installer.
A professional installer may have the original password or may be able to help you recover access.

Check the NVR if you already have admin access.
On supported NVR firmware, camera credentials may be accessible through the camera management section. The exact menu names can vary by firmware version.

Use the SADP recovery process.
If your device supports the SADP recovery method, follow the appropriate Hikvision process for generating and submitting the required information.

Factory reset the device as a final option.
If none of the recovery methods work, a reset may restore access. However, you should understand the effect on your configuration and recordings before doing this.

Hikvision Password Requirements

Newer Hikvision devices require stronger passwords than the old 12345 login.

During activation, you may be asked to create a password that meets specific complexity requirements. These can include a minimum length and a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

Avoid using simple passwords based on your name, address, camera location, or other information that someone could easily guess.

More importantly, do not reuse the same password across your cameras, NVR, email, and other accounts.

A strong, unique password is one of the simplest ways to reduce that risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my Hikvision admin password?

If you created the password yourself, check your password manager or setup records. If an installer configured the system, contact them first.

How do I check my Hikvision CCTV password?

The exact menu can differ depending on the NVR model and firmware version. If you cannot log in at all, you will need to use a supported password recovery method instead.

How do I reset my Hikvision password?

Depending on the device, you may be able to reset the password through Hik-Connect, SADP, email recovery, or a physical reset.

What is the default account for Hikvision?

Older Hikvision devices commonly used admin as the administrator username and 12345 as the password.

What is the Hikvision default password for intercom?

Some models use 192.168.1.110 as a default IP address before network configuration, but the actual address can change after setup.

Why is my Hikvision account locked?

A Hikvision account may become temporarily locked after too many unsuccessful login attempts.

Managing Hikvision Passwords Across Multiple Devices

Managing passwords becomes more difficult when you have several cameras, an NVR, a DVR, or an intercom system. Depending on your setup, different devices may use different administrator passwords. Even when credentials are managed together, keeping everything secure can become difficult.

A password manager gives you a safer way to store and organize these credentials. You can keep separate passwords for each device and generate stronger combinations without having to remember every one. FastestPass can help organize credentials for multiple devices while keeping them protected in one place. It can also generate strong passwords when you need to create new ones.

Secure and Create Stronger Passwords Now!

Generate passkeys, store them in vaults, and safeguard sensitive data!


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