How to Reset Dahua Camera Password with Dahua Web 5.0 (Forgot Password)

April 29, 2026

How to Reset Dahua Camera Password (Forgot Password)

Forgetting the password to your Dahua IP camera is an extremely common issue that happens to countless users—whether you’re a homeowner, a business owner, a security installer, or an IT administrator. It can occur after a long period of non-use, when you purchase a pre-owned camera, when staff changes, or simply due to a forgotten credential. The good news is that Dahua Web 5.0 cameras include official, safe, and structured ways to reset your password without complicated tools or technical support.

In this detailed, step-by-step guide, we will explain two highly reliable methods to reset your Dahua camera password: resetting through a pre-registered email (the safest and fastest method) and performing a physical factory reset (for situations where email recovery is unavailable). All steps are fully aligned with the Dahua Network Camera Web 5.0 Operation Manual and are compatible with nearly all Dahua network cameras, including bullet cameras, dome cameras, turret cameras, and AI-enabled security cameras.

By following this guide, you will regain access to your camera quickly while keeping your device and data secure.

Important Notes Before Resetting Your Password

Before you begin any reset procedure, keep these critical points in mind to avoid mistakes or data loss:

Resetting your password using email will NOT erase your recordings, camera configurations, AI rules, or stored data. Only a factory reset will restore the device to default settings.
You must have either access to the email address bound during camera initialization or physical access to the camera for a hardware reset.
The default administrator username for nearly all Dahua cameras is admin.
Your new password must be 8 to 32 characters long and include at least two types of characters (uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, or special symbols).
Do not use the following symbols in your password: ' " ; : & as they are not supported by the system.
If you are using a camera managed by an NVR, password changes may need synchronization with the recorder.

Method 1: Reset Password via Registered Email (Recommended)

This is the official, preferred method from Dahua. It requires no tools, no disassembly, and no loss of settings. It only takes a minute and preserves all your configurations.

Step 1: Access the Camera Login Page

First, connect your computer or phone to the same local network as your Dahua camera. Open a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) and enter the camera’s IP address in the address bar. Press Enter to load the login page.

Step 2: Locate and Click “Forgot Password”

On the login screen, below the password input field, you will see a small text link:
Forgot password?
Click this link to begin password recovery.

Step 3: Select Email Reset Method

The system will show available reset methods. Choose Reset by Email to continue. This is the standard option for Web 5.0 cameras.

Step 4: Enter the Administrator Username

In the username field, enter the default or existing admin account:
admin
This is the default super administrator account for all Dahua cameras.

Step 5: Check Your Email for the Security Code

The camera will immediately send a 6-digit security code or password reset link to the email address you set when you first initialized the camera.

If you do not see the email:

Check your spam, junk, or promotions folder
Confirm the camera has access to the Internet
Confirm the email was correctly saved during setup

Step 6: Enter the Security Code

Input the verification code you received in the email into the camera’s reset page.

Step 7: Create and Confirm Your New Password

Now set your new strong password:

Use at least 8 characters
Combine uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
Avoid easily guessable passwords like 123456, admin, or date of birth

Enter the same password in the confirmation box.

Step 8: Log In with Your New Password

Once submitted, you will be returned to the login page. Use your admin username and new password to log in. You now have full access again.

Method 2: Factory Reset via Physical Reset Button

Use this method only if you no longer have access to the registered email or if the camera was previously configured by someone else.

⚠️ WARNING
A factory reset will ERASE ALL SETTINGS, including:

IP address
Network configuration
Recording schedules
AI rules (IVS, face recognition, people counting)
Alarm settings
Motion detection zones
User accounts
Privacy masks

You will need to reconfigure the camera completely after the reset.

Step 1: Power the Camera Normally

Ensure the camera is powered on and in a stable running state. Wait for the startup process to complete.

Step 2: Locate the Physical Reset Button

The reset button is small and usually located in one of these places:

Inside the camera casing
Near the Ethernet / PoE port
Inside a small pinhole (use a needle, toothpick, or paperclip)

Step 3: Press and Hold the Reset Button

Gently insert a tool into the reset hole and press down. Hold continuously for 8–10 seconds.
Do not release early. You will see the status light change or blink when the reset begins.

Step 4: Wait for the Camera to Reboot

After releasing the button, the camera will restart and restore to factory default settings. This takes 1–2 minutes.

Step 5: Log In with Factory Default Settings

Once rebooted, the camera returns to factory status:

Username: admin
Newer models will force you to create a new password on first login
Older models may have a default password (if required, refer to the camera label)

Step 6: Re-Initialize the Camera

You will now go through the first-time setup:

Set new admin password
Bind a valid email for future reset
Set time zone, region, and video standard
Reconfigure network, image, and AI settings

Critical Security Steps After Password Reset

After regaining access to your Dahua camera, we highly recommend completing these security steps to strengthen protection and prevent future issues:

1. Set a Strong, Unique Password

Always use a high-strength password with letters, numbers, and symbols. Never use default or weak passwords.

2. Bind a Valid Email Address

Go to Settings → System → Account → Password Reset
Enable the reset function and save a valid email. This lets you reset passwords instantly next time.

3. Enable Account Lockout Policy

Go to Security → Attack Defense → Account Lockout
Set login attempts to 5–10 times and lock time to 5–10 minutes to block brute-force attacks.

4. Create Limited User Accounts

For guests or staff, create user accounts with restricted permissions instead of sharing the admin password.

5. Upgrade Camera Firmware

Updating firmware fixes security vulnerabilities and improves password protection mechanisms.