Dahua Live View Not Working? Here's How to Fix It
A Dahua security system offers robust surveillance, but its effectiveness is completely undermined when you can't access the live video feed. Whether you're using the DMSS app on your phone or client software on a computer, seeing an 'Offline', 'Connection Failed', or black screen error is frustrating.
This guide will walk you through the most common reasons why your Dahua live view might not be working and provide a clear, step-by-step process to get you back online and viewing your cameras.
## Start with the Basics: Local Network vs. Remote Viewing
First, it's crucial to identify where the problem lies.
- Local Access: Can you view the cameras on a monitor connected directly to the NVR/DVR? Or on a computer running SmartPSS on the same Wi-Fi network?
- Remote Access: Is the problem only happening when you are away from home, using the DMSS/gDMSS app on a mobile network or different Wi-Fi?
If it works locally but not remotely, the issue is almost certainly with your network configuration or internet connection. If it doesn't even work locally, the problem is likely with the NVR/DVR or the cameras themselves.
## Troubleshooting Remote Viewing Issues (DMSS/gDMSS App)
This is the most common scenario. Your app was working, and now it's not.
### 1. Check Your Internet Connection (On Both Ends)
It sounds obvious, but it's the first thing to check.
- Your Phone/PC: Do you have a stable internet connection? Try browsing a website to confirm. Are you on a weak Wi-Fi signal or a poor mobile data area?
- The NVR/DVR Location: Is the internet down at your home or business? Ask someone on-site to check if their internet is working. An internet outage is a common reason for the system to go offline.
### 2. Verify P2P Status and Device Login
Dahua systems primarily use a P2P (Peer-to-Peer) service for easy remote access.
- Log in to your NVR/DVR's web interface from a computer on the same network.
- Navigate to Setting > Network > TCP/IP > P2P.
- Check the 'Status'. It should say 'Online'. If it says 'Offline' or 'Connecting', it means your recorder is not successfully connecting to Dahua's servers. This could be due to a local network issue or a problem with the service itself.
- While you're logged in, double-check the username and password. Has it been changed recently? An incorrect password in the DMSS app is a very common cause of login failure. Update the password in the app to match the device.
### 3. Switch Between Main Stream and Sub Stream
IP cameras provide multiple video streams. The 'Main Stream' is high quality but requires a lot of bandwidth. The 'Sub Stream' is lower quality but much easier to transmit over slower connections.
- In the DMSS app, when you are viewing your cameras, look for an 'SD'/'HD' or 'Sub Stream'/'Main Stream' button.
- Tap it to switch to the 'Sub Stream' (often labelled 'SD' for Standard Definition).
- If the video now appears, it confirms that your network connection is too slow to handle the high-quality Main Stream.
## Troubleshooting Local and General Issues
If you can't even see the video on your local network, try these steps.
### 4. Power Cycle Everything
A simple reboot can fix a multitude of temporary electronic glitches.
- Shut down and unplug your NVR/DVR.
- Unplug your cameras from their power source (this might be a power adapter or a PoE switch).
- Unplug your internet router.
- Wait for 2 minutes.
- Plug the router back in first and wait for it to fully connect to the internet.
- Plug the NVR/DVR and your cameras back in.
- Give the system 5-10 minutes to boot up completely and try to connect again.
### 5. Check Physical Connections
A loose cable can easily bring a camera's feed down.
- Ensure the Ethernet cables are securely clicked into place at the camera end and at the NVR/PoE switch end.
- Check the power cables for your cameras and NVR.
- If you have a monitor connected directly to the NVR, ensure the HDMI or VGA cable is secure.
If you've tried all of these steps and your live view is still not working, especially on the local network, you may have a more complex issue such as an IP address conflict, a faulty camera, or a problem with the NVR's hard drive.