What To Do When Your Axis Camera Won't Reset
Resetting an Axis communications camera is a vital troubleshooting step, whether you've forgotten a password, are dealing with a configuration issue, or simply want to start fresh. However, it can be frustrating when the camera doesn't respond to the reset procedure. This guide will cover the different types of resets and provide you with a clear, step-by-step process to follow when your Axis device won't reset.
Understanding the Types of Axis Resets
First, it's crucial to understand the two main types of resets for an Axis camera.
- Soft Reset (Reboot): This is the simplest action. It's the equivalent of turning the camera off and on again. It does not erase any settings. A soft reset is always the first thing you should try to resolve minor performance issues. You can do this by disconnecting the power source (unplugging the PoE cable or power adapter), waiting 30 seconds, and plugging it back in.
- Hard Reset (Factory Default): This is a more drastic step. A hard reset, also known as a factory default reset, will completely wipe all custom configurations from the camera. This includes:
- IP address, subnet mask, and gateway settings.
- All user accounts and passwords.
- Image and stream settings.
- Event and action configurations. The camera will revert to the state it was in when it left the factory.
The Standard Factory Reset Procedure
The vast majority of Axis cameras follow a similar procedure for a factory reset.
- Disconnect Power: Make sure the camera is completely powered down. Disconnect the network cable if you are using Power over Ethernet (PoE) or unplug the dedicated power supply.
- Locate the Control/Reset Button: You will need to find the physical reset button on the camera. The location varies significantly between models.
- Dome Cameras: Often located inside the dome housing, on the main circuit board.
- Bullet Cameras: Sometimes under a small sealed cover on the back or bottom of the camera.
- PTZ Cameras: Location can vary widely; check the installation manual for your specific model.
- Press and Hold the Button: Use a paperclip, pen tip, or similar object to press and hold the reset button.
- Reconnect Power: While still holding the button down, reconnect the power source (plug the PoE cable back in).
- Wait for the Indicator Light: Continue holding the button. Watch the camera's status LED indicator. It will typically blink or change colour. The standard procedure is to hold the button for 15-30 seconds, until the status indicator flashes amber.
- Release the Button: Once the LED flashes amber, release the button.
- Wait for Reboot: The camera will now restart. When the status indicator turns a steady green, the reset is complete, and the unit has been restored to factory defaults.
Troubleshooting: What If It Still Won't Reset?
If you've followed the procedure above and the camera is still not resetting, here are the common reasons why.
- Insufficient Power: If you are using a non-standard PoE injector or a very long Ethernet cable, the camera might not be receiving enough stable power to complete the boot-up and reset sequence. Try using a shorter cable or a known-good, standard-compliant PoE switch or injector.
- Faulty Reset Button: In rare cases, the physical button itself might be damaged. When you press it, you should feel a slight tactile "click". If it feels mushy or there's no click, the button may be broken.
- Incorrect Timing: The timing is critical. If you release the button too early (before the LED changes) or too late, the process may fail. It's worth attempting the procedure a second or third time, paying close attention to the LED indicator.
- Device is Unresponsive (Bricked): If the camera is completely unresponsive—no lights, no network activity—it may have a more serious hardware failure. In this state, a reset won't work because the device isn't even booting up correctly.
After a successful reset, the camera will be accessible at its default IP address (often 192.168.0.90) and will require you to set a new root password on the first login.