You now need to configure the NVR so that it’s ready to connect to your network. Don’t worry – this is simpler than it sounds. This initial setup is simplest when done on the local GUI, using a directly connected monitor. The following steps walk you through this initial setup process:
Note - Avoid plugging anything into the back of the NVR until instructed to do so in this tutorial.
Firstly, you’ll need to look at the back of your NVR and make sure you can identify the following parts that are needed for this stage:
Now, follow these steps. It is easier if you leave your cameras disconnected until prompted later in this guide:
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Step 8:
Step 9:
Step 10:
Step 11:
Step 12:
Step 13:
Step 14:
Step 15:
Note - Avoid plugging anything into the back of the NVR until instructed to do so in this tutorial.
Firstly, you’ll need to look at the back of your NVR and make sure you can identify the following parts that are needed for this stage:
[1] - PoE (Power over Ethernet) ports (Most Hikvision NVRs have PoE ports which will power any camera via the network cable. Those that do not will require you to connect the camera across remotely, using a separate PoE injector or switch for power.)
[2] - VGA display port
[3] - HDMI display port
[4] - USB port(s) (and mouse - one should come included with the NVR)
[5] - LAN port (and ethernet cable - Cat5e or Cat6 is fine)
[6] - Kettle power socket (the power lead is included with the NVR)
Now, follow these steps. It is easier if you leave your cameras disconnected until prompted later in this guide:
Step 1:
Plug the kettle plug into the power inlet to connect the NVR to a power supply.
Step 2:
Connect your NVR to a display (this can be any monitor or television) by connecting either an HDMI or VGA cable from the monitor to the corresponding port in the back of the NVR.
Step 3:
Plug your USB mouse into one of the NVR’s USB ports.
Step 4:
Use an ethernet cable to connect your NVR to your local network - Plug one end of the cable into the RJ45 ports into a network access point (such as an ethernet port on your router), and the other into the LAN port in the back of your NVR.
Step 5:
Turn the NVR on and let it boot up. Ignore the beeping noise, it’s completely normal and just the NVR telling you that it isn't properly configured yet.
You may get a prompt to adjust the NVR's resolution to match the connected display, click "yes" to view everything in the best resolution supported by your display.
Step 6:
Set your language when prompted.
Step 7:Set a password for the NVR , as well as a "Channel Default Password", which will be passed onto any inactive device that is directly connected to the NVR's PoE ports. We recommend keeping these passwords the same for simplicity's sake. It’s key that you set a password that the NVR defines as strong and that you remember this password, as resetting the passwords on Hikvision devices can be a hassle that you want to avoid, if possible.
Note - If you have lost your password then please see our guide on How to Reset the Password of your Hikvision Camera/NVR in 5 steps using the SADP Tool
Step 8:
Now set a valid "reserved email" address for the NVR, which Hikvision will use for verification if you need to reset your password.
Step 9:
Next, set an unlock pattern of your choice by using your mouse to draw any shape you like - you will be asked to do this twice to confirm the pattern. This will be used to quickly login to your NVR in the local GUI.
Step 10:
Now, set your time zone, your preferred date format, and date/time.
Step 11:
On the Network Setup page:
Leave the "NIC Type" as it is.
Either leave the "Enable Obtain DNS Server" box ticked, or untick it and use one these recommended public DNS servers.
It is best to leave the "Enable DHCP" box unticked here. Instead, set the "IPv4 Address" of the NVR to an unused IP address on your network, which is within your gateway's range. Your Gateway will typically be the IP address of your router. E.g. if your router's IP address is "192.168.1.1", you'll want to give the NVR an IP address within the range of "192.168.1.x", where "x" is any unused address between "2" and "254".
Note - DHCP can be left on during this stage of the setup to automatically assign your NVR an open IP address if you like, just be sure to turn it off again once your system up and running. To disable it again once set up, just go to:
System/Configuration→ Network → TCP/IP → DHCP Off → Apply
Input the Subnet Mask of your network (typically it's "255.255.255.0") and "IPv4 Default Gateway". If you're unsure of these, see the below articles which explain how to check what they are and if a particular IP address is available:
The "Internal NIC IPv4 Address" can be left as it is, this just refers to the NVR’s own LAN address (so Plug and Play cameras will use IP addresses on this range).
Step 12:
You can now stop the annoying bleeping! Select your hard drive(s) from the list and click "Init" to format it, and then "Next" when the formatting has completed.
Note - This will completely wipe the drive, so please make sure that any that are being reused to not have data that you might need on them.
Step 13:
The next page is for the Camera Setup. As mentioned earlier, we recommend connecting any cameras after the NVR setup process has completed, so you can skip this page.
Note - Please see part 4 for the instructions for adding cameras to your NVR after the initial setup.
Step 14:
You will now be taken to the platform access page. Again, skip through and leave this for now.
Note - Please see part 12 for adding the NVR to the Hik-Connect app, which revisits this page.
Step 15:
Finally, you’ll be taken to the Change Password page and given the option to set a new admin password. Ignore this, unless you actually want to change your password. Remember, your admin password is different from your activation password, which you’ll need to use when activating individual cameras on your network.
Click "Exit" and "Yes" on the "Exit Wizard" popup.
That’s the initial setup of your NVR complete. You should now be taken to the NVR's live view page (you won't see your cameras until these are connected in Part 4), with your main navigation menu at the top of the screen.
Last edited:
