Guide to Fixing Problems When Adding a Hikvision Camera
Adding a new Hikvision camera to your NVR or the Hik-Connect app should be a straightforward process, but it can quickly become frustrating when you encounter errors like 'device is offline' or 'incorrect verification code'. This professional guide will walk you through the essential steps to troubleshoot and resolve the most common issues, using British English and a helpful, second-person style.
## Pre-requisite: The SADP Tool
Before we begin, it is highly recommended that you download and install Hikvision's SADP (Search Active Devices Protocol) tool on a Windows or Mac computer. This free software is the most reliable way to find, activate, and manage Hikvision devices on your local network. Ensure the computer running SADP is connected to the same network as your cameras.
## Step 1: Activating the Camera
By default, new Hikvision cameras are 'inactive' for security reasons. An inactive camera cannot be added to anything until you activate it by setting a password.
- Run the SADP Tool: Open the SADP software. It will automatically scan your network and list all connected Hikvision devices.
- Find Your Inactive Camera: Locate your new camera in the list. Its status will be shown as 'Inactive'.
- Activate It: Select the camera by ticking the checkbox next to it. On the right side of the window, you will be prompted to create a new, strong password for the camera's admin account.
- Create Password: Enter a secure password and confirm it. It's crucial to remember this password.
- Enable Hik-Connect (Optional but Recommended): After setting the password, you will often be prompted to 'Enable Hik-Connect'. Tick this box. You will then need to create a Verification Code. This is a separate, custom code (e.g., 'ABCDEF') that you create. It is not the admin password. This code is required to add the camera to the Hik-Connect app.
- Click 'Activate': The camera's status in SADP should now change to 'Active'.
## Step 2: Resolving Network and IP Address Issues
The camera and your NVR (or phone with the app) must be on the same network subnet to communicate.
### Using SADP to Configure IP
- Check IP Addresses: In the SADP tool, look at the IP addresses of your existing devices (like your NVR) and your newly activated camera. For a typical home network, they should all start with something like '192.168.1.x'.
- Modify the Camera's IP: If the new camera has a conflicting or incorrect IP address (e.g., 192.168.0.5 when your network is 192.168.1.x), select the camera in SADP. On the right panel, untick 'Enable DHCP' and manually enter a free IP address that matches your network's scheme (e.g., 192.168.1.100). Enter your network's Subnet Mask (usually 255.255.255.0) and Gateway (your router's IP address). Enter the admin password you created in Step 1 and click 'Modify'.
### Adding to an NVR
- When adding the camera to your NVR, go to the 'Camera Management' screen. If you use the 'Plug and Play' option on an NVR with built-in PoE ports, it should be detected automatically.
- If adding manually, you will need to input the camera's new IP address and the admin password you created.
## Step 3: Adding to the Hik-Connect App
If you are receiving errors when adding the camera to the mobile app, it's usually due to one of two things.
### Incorrect Verification Code
- When you scan the QR code on the camera and the app asks for a verification code, you must enter the Verification Code you created when you enabled Hik-Connect in the SADP tool.
- This is not the admin password. If you have forgotten it, you can sometimes view or change it by logging into the camera's web interface, navigating to
Configuration > Network > Advanced Settings > Platform Access.
### Device is Offline or Not Registered
- This error means the camera cannot reach the Hik-Connect server.
- Check DNS: In the camera's network configuration (via web browser or SADP), ensure the 'Preferred DNS Server' is set to a valid address, such as your router's IP or a public DNS like
8.8.8.8. An incorrect DNS setting is a common cause of this error. - Network Connection: Ensure the camera is properly connected to your router and has internet access.
By systematically following these steps—activating the camera, correcting network settings, and using the right passwords/codes—you can overcome the most common obstacles to adding a new Hikvision camera to your system.