Dahua support in Wolverhampton. If your Dahua NVR, XVR, camera or intercom has locked you out, shows offline in DMSS, has stopped recording or needs a firmware update, this page walks through the fixes that clear most faults. If you're still stuck, ring our technical line on 01902 902251, book a remote session through our support page, or call in at the trade counter on Dudley Road.
How to get Dahua help from us
Phone:01902 902251. Have the model number and serial number (SN) ready; both are on the label on the device.
Remote session: for network jobs such as remote viewing and DMSS, book a session on our support page and we'll work through it with you on your Windows PC.
Trade counter: Unit 3, Park View Centre, 243 Dudley Road, Wolverhampton WV2 3JU. Monday to Friday 9:00am–4:30pm, Saturday 10:00am–4:00pm, closed Sunday. Please call before you set off.
We've been supplying CCTV and security equipment since 2012, and technical support on what we sell is a big part of what we do. Our fault finder also covers common Dahua faults.
Forgotten Dahua password or "default password"
There is no default password on current Dahua equipment. New devices have to be initialised, and you set the admin password at that point, either on the recorder's screen, in the web page or with ConfigTool. Only older firmware, from before initialisation was introduced, used admin / admin. While initialising, set a reserved email address: it is what makes a later password reset quick.
To reset a forgotten password:
Reserved email and QR code (recorders). On the recorder's login screen choose Forgot Password. A QR code appears. In the DMSS app open the password reset option and scan it. A security code is sent to the reserved email address; enter it on the recorder and set a new password. The code is only valid for a limited time (24 hours on many models), so use it straight away.
Security questions. If these were set at initialisation, answer them from the Forgot Password screen.
ConfigTool reset file (cameras and recorders). With no reserved email, open ConfigTool on a PC on the same network, choose Password Reset, select the device and export the XML file. Dahua technical support processes it and returns a file, which you import in ConfigTool to set a new password. This route always needs Dahua support. If you bought the equipment from us, call us and we'll help you through it.
Reset button. Many Dahua cameras, and some recorders on the main board, have a reset button that returns the device to factory settings. It will then need initialising and configuring again.
DMSS showing "device offline" (P2P)
DMSS connects through Dahua's P2P cloud service, so "offline" nearly always means the recorder can't reach that service. Dahua's own checklist:
Check P2P status. On the recorder go to Main Menu › Network › P2P (on some menus Setting › Network › P2P). Tick Enable and check the status reads Online.
Check the network settings. Under TCP/IP, the IP address must be free, and the subnet mask and gateway must match your router. If the recorder has two network cards, the default card must be the one connected to the internet.
Set DNS. Use preferred DNS 8.8.8.8 (alternate 8.8.4.4) or your router's address. If your broadband provider blocks public DNS, use the one it provides.
Test the connection.Main Menu › Maintain › Network › Test lets you test whether the recorder can reach an internet address.
Check the date and time. A recorder with the wrong date or time can fail to register.
Reboot and update the firmware to the current release for that exact model (see below).
Firewall rules (business networks). P2P needs outbound UDP on random ports, plus TCP 9116, 9118, 12366, 12367 and 12337. Ask whoever manages the firewall to allow these outbound.
If P2P shows online but DMSS still won't connect, update DMSS, and if RTSP over TLS is switched on under Security › A/V Encryption, try switching it off. P2P doesn't need port forwarding.
Can't find a camera or recorder on the network
Use ConfigTool. It finds Dahua devices on your local network even when their IP address is on a different range from your PC, shows whether each one is initialised, and lets you change its IP settings, initialise it and upgrade firmware. A new Dahua IP camera that hasn't been configured usually sits on 192.168.1.108. Cameras plugged straight into a PoE NVR's camera ports sit on the NVR's own internal network, so manage them through the NVR instead.
Hard drive errors and "No Disk"
A new drive has to be formatted by the recorder before it records. Go to Main Menu › Storage › HDD Manage (called Disk Manager on newer menus), select the drive, choose Format and confirm. Formatting erases everything on the drive, so back up any footage you need first.
A drive that shows an error or disappears ("No Disk") usually means a failing drive, a loose data or power cable, or a drive the recorder doesn't support. Reseat the cables first. If it comes back, replace it with a surveillance-rated hard drive. Our CCTV storage calculator works out the size you need for your cameras and how many days you want to keep.
Cameras live but not recording
Drive status: it must show as normal, with no error and free space or overwrite enabled.
Overwrite: in the storage settings, set the drive to overwrite when full so the oldest footage is replaced.
Recording schedule: each channel needs a schedule (general/continuous, motion or event) under Storage › Schedule. Check it hasn't been switched off or limited to certain hours.
Record mode: under Storage › Record (or Record Control), the channel should be on Auto or Manual, not Off.
Motion and smart events: if the schedule is motion or event only, check the detection rule is enabled and its area is drawn.
Updating Dahua firmware safely
Download firmware only from Dahua UK's firmware downloads. Match the exact model and hardware version shown in the device's system information. Firmware isn't interchangeable between models.
Read the release notes before you start.
Back up the configuration (Maintain › Config Backup or similar) to a USB stick or PC.
Upgrade through the web page, the recorder's local menu from a USB stick, or ConfigTool. Don't cut the power during the upgrade.
Afterwards, check the recording schedules and storage settings are as you left them.
Exporting footage
On the recorder, open Playback (or Search), find the clip and use the backup or clip tool to save it to a USB stick. On a PC, SmartPSS Lite can play back and export footage from one or more recorders. If an exported file won't play, use Dahua's Smart Player.
Dahua software and tools
Tool
What it's for
ConfigTool
Find devices on the network, initialise them, change IP settings, upgrade firmware and request a password reset
DMSS
The phone and tablet app for live view, playback, alerts and password reset by QR code
SmartPSS Lite
Free Windows and Mac client for live view, playback, footage export and configuration (use this for "DMSS on a PC")
DSS Express / DSS Pro
Video management software for larger and multi-site systems
Dahua Toolbox
A launcher for Dahua's PC tools, including disk and bandwidth calculators
If a Dahua product bought from us develops a fault, call 01902 902251 with the model, the serial number and a short description of the fault. We'll check it isn't a setting first, then take you through the return.
Need someone on site?
We're a supplier, not an installer, so our support is by phone, remote session and at the counter. If you need an engineer at the property, we can recommend a qualified trade installer depending on your requirements and area. See how our installer recommendations work.
Buying Dahua in Wolverhampton
For replacement cameras, recorders and drives, see our Dahua range, Dahua NVRs, Dahua XVRs and the Dahua NVR buying guide. Installers can apply for a trade account for trade pricing. The counter is close to Bilston, Wednesfield, Willenhall, Walsall, Dudley, West Bromwich and Tipton. We also ship nationally to England, Scotland and Wales: orders placed before 2:30pm are normally dispatched for delivery within 1–2 working days.
Common questions
What is the default password for a Dahua NVR or camera?
Current Dahua devices have no default password. You set your own when you initialise the device. Only older firmware used admin / admin.
How do I reset a forgotten Dahua password?
If a reserved email was set, choose Forgot Password, scan the QR code with DMSS and enter the emailed security code. Otherwise use the security questions, or export a reset file with ConfigTool for Dahua support to process.
Why does DMSS say my Dahua device is offline?
Usually the recorder can't reach Dahua's P2P server. Check P2P is enabled and online, set DNS (for example 8.8.8.8), check the date and time, and update the firmware.
Can I use DMSS on a PC?
DMSS is a phone and tablet app. On a computer, use SmartPSS Lite, Dahua's free desktop client.
Do you come out to fix Dahua systems in Wolverhampton?
No. Support is by phone, remote session and at the trade counter. If you need someone on site, we can recommend a qualified trade installer.
