How to Recover from a Failed Hikvision Firmware Update
A failed firmware update on a Hikvision device, whether it's an IP camera or an NVR, can be an alarming experience. Your device might become unresponsive, get stuck in a reboot loop, or become completely inaccessible. This is often referred to as 'bricking'. But in many cases, the situation is recoverable.
This guide will walk you through the common causes of update failures and the primary method for recovering your Hikvision device: the TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) recovery method.
Why Do Firmware Updates Fail?
Understanding the cause can help prevent future issues. The most common reasons for a failed update include:
- Incorrect Firmware: Using a firmware file that is not specifically designed for your device's exact model number and region is the leading cause.
- Power Loss: A power cut or disconnecting the device during the upgrade process can corrupt the system files.
- Network Interruption: Losing network connectivity between your computer and the device while the firmware is being uploaded.
- Downgrading Incorrectly: Attempting to downgrade to a much older firmware version can sometimes cause conflicts.
The Primary Recovery Method: Hikvision TFTP Server
When you can no longer access your camera's web interface, the TFTP method is your most powerful tool. It's a special utility provided by Hikvision that acts as a server on your computer, allowing the camera to automatically download a correct firmware file during its boot-up sequence.
Step 1: Gather What You Need
- A Windows PC: The official Hikvision TFTP tool is a Windows application.
- The Correct Firmware: This is the most critical step. Download the correct, latest firmware for your exact model number and region from the official Hikvision portal. The firmware file should be named
digicap.dav. - The Hikvision TFTP Tool: Download the TFTP server application itself.
- A Network Cable: To connect your computer directly to the camera.
Step 2: Prepare Your Computer and Network
- Disable Wi-Fi: Turn off your computer's Wi-Fi to ensure it only uses the wired network connection.
- Turn Off Firewalls: Temporarily disable any antivirus and Windows firewall software, as they can block the TFTP connection.
- Set a Static IP Address:
- Go to your Network & Internet settings > Change adapter options.
- Right-click on your Ethernet/Local Area Connection and select 'Properties'.
- Select 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)' and click 'Properties'.
- Choose 'Use the following IP address'.
- Set the IP address to 192.168.1.128 and the Subnet mask to 255.255.255.0. Leave the Gateway blank. Click OK.
Step 3: Use the TFTP Tool
- Extract and Run: Unzip the TFTP tool and the firmware file into the same folder. The firmware file must be in the same directory as the
tftpserv.exeapplication. - Launch the Tool: Run the
tftpserv.exeapplication. - Select Server and File: The 'Server' IP should automatically show your static IP (192.168.1.128). The correct
digicap.davfirmware file should be listed in the file window. - Connect and Power the Camera: Connect the Hikvision camera directly to your computer's Ethernet port. Now, connect the power supply to the camera.
- Observe the TFTP Log: As the camera powers on, it will search the network for a TFTP server. You should see activity in the tool's log. It will show the camera connecting and the
digicap.davfile being transferred. - Wait Patiently: The file transfer and update process can take several minutes. You will see a message indicating the transfer is complete and the system is updating. Do not power off the camera during this time. The camera will reboot itself once the update is finished, which can take up to 10 minutes.
After the process is complete, you should be able to find your camera on the network using Hikvision's SADP tool and access its web interface again. Remember to reset your computer's IP address back to 'Obtain an IP address automatically' when you are finished.