You don’t need any special software or tools. Everything happens through the DVR’s built-in menu system. However, if you’re managing multiple DVRs or want centralized control, consider Hik-Connect or iVMS-4200 software—but that’s beyond today’s scope.

One quick note: Always back up your configuration before making major changes. You can do this under System > Maintenance > Export Config. It takes two minutes and could save you hours later.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Change Camera Name in Hikvision DVR 2026 Guide

Step 1: Power On and Access the Main Menu

Start by turning on your Hikvision DVR and connecting a monitor via HDMI or VGA. Once the system boots up, you’ll see the live view screen with all connected cameras displayed.

Visual guide about how to change camera name in hikvision dvr

Image source: i.ytimg.com

Plug in your USB mouse and click anywhere on the screen. This brings up the login prompt. Enter your admin username and password. If you haven’t changed these, the defaults are usually:

• Username: admin
• Password: 12345 or admin123

Note: Default credentials are a security risk. Change them after setup under System > User Management.

After logging in, right-click anywhere on the screen. This opens the Main Menu. You’ll see options like Playback, Search, Configuration, and more. This is your control center.

Now you’re ready to begin the process of learning how to change camera name in Hikvision DVR 2026 guide. The next steps will walk you through the configuration panel.

Tip: If you’re using a touchscreen monitor, tap instead of right-clicking. Some newer Hikvision models support touch interfaces.

Step 2: Navigate to the Camera Configuration Section

From the Main Menu, click on Configuration. This takes you to the system settings dashboard. On the left sidebar, you’ll see several categories. Look for Camera and click it.

Under the Camera tab, you’ll find sub-options like Camera Settings, Motion Detection, OSD, and Recording. Click on Camera Settings. This is where you manage individual camera parameters—including names.

You’ll now see a list of all connected cameras (e.g., Camera 01, Camera 02). Each row shows basic info: IP address, status, resolution, and the current name.

At this point, you’re just one step away from renaming. But first, select the camera you want to modify. Click on the row for Camera 01 (or whichever camera you’re working on).

Warning: Double-check that you’re selecting the correct camera. Renaming the wrong one could lead to confusion later, especially if you have similar locations (e.g., “Front Gate” vs. “Front Porch”).

Step 3: Edit the Camera Name Field

Once you’ve selected a camera, the details panel on the right will update. Scroll down until you find the Camera Name field. It’s usually near the top, just below the IP address and port number.

Click inside the Camera Name text box. The default value might be “Camera 01” or something similar. Use your keyboard to delete the old name and type in your new one.

For example:

• Instead of “Camera 01”, type: Front Door – Main Entry
• Instead of “Camera 04”, type: Parking Lot – East Side
• Instead of “Camera 07”, type: Server Room – Access Only

Be descriptive but concise. Avoid overly long names like “This is the camera that watches the side alley behind the dumpster next to the trash compactor”—keep it under 30 characters if possible.

Use spaces, hyphens, or underscores for readability. Avoid special characters like #, $, %, or &. These may cause display issues in some interfaces or apps.

Pro tip: Use consistent naming patterns. For example, start with the area (“Front”, “Back”, “East”), then add the function (“Door”, “Gate”, “Driveway”). This helps when filtering or searching later.

Example: “Backyard Gate – West” tells you exactly where the camera is and which side it covers. Much better than “Cam5”!

Step 4: Save the Changes

After entering the new name, click the Save button at the bottom of the screen. A confirmation message should appear: “Settings applied successfully.”

If no message appears, double-check that you’ve filled all required fields (some DVRs won’t save if other settings are incomplete). Also, ensure your mouse is working properly—sometimes unresponsive inputs prevent saving.

Once saved, go back to the main camera list. You should now see your new name reflected in the Camera Name column. If it still shows the old name, try refreshing the page by clicking Refresh at the top-right corner.

Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for each additional camera. There’s no limit to how many you can rename, so take your time and do them all now—it’ll save headaches later.

After renaming all cameras, click Apply in the top-right corner of the Configuration window. This finalizes all pending changes across the system.

Important: Clicking “Apply” is crucial. Without it, some changes may not persist after a reboot. Think of it as the final commit button.

Step 5: Verify the New Names in Live View

Now that you’ve renamed the cameras, let’s make sure the changes appear correctly in the live view.

Exit the Configuration menu by clicking Back until you return to the main screen. Right-click again to close the menu fully.

You should now see your renamed cameras on the live view grid. For example, instead of “Camera 01”, you might see “Front Door – Main Entry” overlaid on the video feed.

This text is called an OSD (On-Screen Display), and it confirms your naming worked. If you don’t see the new names, go back to Configuration > Camera > OSD and ensure Camera Name is checked in the display options.

You can also test remote access. Open the Hik-Connect app or log in to the DVR via web browser (using the DVR’s IP address). Navigate to the live view—your custom names should appear there too.

This cross-platform visibility is one of the biggest benefits of knowing how to change camera name in Hikvision DVR 2026 guide. Whether you’re on-site or off-site, the labels stay consistent.

Step 6: (Optional) Customize OSD Appearance

Want your camera names to stand out even more? You can tweak how they look on screen.

Go back to Configuration > Camera > OSD. Here, you can adjust:

• Font Size – Increase for better visibility (recommended: 14–16pt)
• Font Color – Choose white, black, or yellow depending on background
• Position – Place the text in top-left, top-center, or bottom-left to avoid blocking key areas
• Transparency – Reduce opacity if the text blends too much

For example, if a camera faces a dark alley, use white text with a dark shadow. If it points at a bright window, try black text with a white outline.

Click Preview to see a real-time mockup of how the OSD will look. Once satisfied, click Save and Apply.

This step isn’t required, but it improves usability—especially in complex environments with many cameras on screen at once.

Step 7: Document Your Naming Scheme

Here’s a step many people skip—but it’s incredibly valuable. Create a simple document or spreadsheet that maps each camera number to its new name and location.

Example:

Store this file in a shared drive, print it, or even tape a copy near the DVR. If someone new joins your team—or if you forget after a few months—this reference saves time.

Bonus: Include this list in your DVR’s backup folder. That way, if you ever reset the system, you can quickly restore the naming structure.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Now that you’ve learned how to change camera name in Hikvision DVR 2026 guide, let’s cover some insider knowledge to avoid pitfalls and get the most out of your setup.

Pro Tip #1: Use a Naming Convention
Stick to a consistent format like: [Area] – [Function]. Examples: “East Fence – Perimeter”, “Lobby – Entry Desk”. This makes filtering and searching much easier in playback or event logs.

Pro Tip #2: Avoid Duplicate Names
Never name two cameras the same thing. Even if they’re in different buildings, duplicates cause confusion. Use suffixes like “-A” and “-B” if needed: “Main Gate – A”, “Main Gate – B”.

Pro Tip #3: Test After a Reboot
After renaming, restart the DVR to ensure all changes stick. Sometimes temporary glitches cause names to revert. A quick reboot confirms everything is permanent.

Pro Tip #4: Sync with Mobile Apps
Open the Hik-Connect app and check that your new names appear there. If not, try logging out and back in. The app sometimes caches old data.

Pro Tip #5: Use Descriptive Names for AI Features
If your DVR supports smart analytics (like face detection or line crossing), clear names help you assign rules accurately. For example, “Parking Lot – Entry” is better than “Cam6” when setting up vehicle detection.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting to Click “Apply” – This is the #1 mistake. Save your work, but always hit “Apply” to finalize.
• Using Special Characters – Symbols like @, #, or % can break OSD display or cause issues in mobile apps. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and underscores.
• Renaming During High Activity – Avoid making changes when the system is under heavy load (e.g., during a security event). Wait for a quiet moment to prevent lag or crashes.
• Ignoring Remote Access Testing – Always verify names appear correctly in the web interface and mobile app. Some users forget this and assume everything works.
• Not Documenting Changes – As mentioned earlier, a simple spreadsheet prevents confusion down the line. Don’t rely on memory!

One real-world example: A small business owner renamed all his cameras but didn’t document the changes. A month later, a break-in occurred, and he couldn’t tell which camera covered the back office. The footage was there—but finding it took 20 extra minutes. A simple name and a quick reference sheet could’ve prevented the delay.

Remember: The goal isn’t just to rename cameras—it’s to make your entire system more efficient and user-friendly. Every step counts.

FAQs About How to Change Camera Name in Hikvision DVR 2026 Guide

Got questions? We’ve got answers. Here are the most common ones we hear from users trying to master how to change camera name in Hikvision DVR 2026 guide.

Q1: Can I change camera names remotely?

Yes! If your DVR is connected to the internet and you’ve set up remote access, you can log in via a web browser (using the DVR’s IP address) or the Hik-Connect app. Navigate to Configuration > Camera > Camera Settings and rename just like you would on-site. Just ensure you’re using HTTPS for security.

Q2: What if I forget my admin password?

You’ll need to reset the DVR. Hikvision offers a password reset tool (available on their official website). You’ll need to provide the DVR’s serial number and follow the instructions. Note: This erases all user accounts, so reconfigure them afterward. Always keep your admin credentials in a secure place.

Q3: Do renamed cameras affect recordings?

No. Renaming a camera doesn’t impact recording quality, storage, or playback. The video files are stored by channel number, not name. However, when you search for footage, the name helps you identify which file to review. So while the recording isn’t affected, your ability to find it improves.

Q4: Can I rename cameras using the Hik-Connect app?

Not directly. The Hik-Connect app allows viewing, playback, and basic settings, but renaming requires full admin access through the web interface or local monitor. Use the app to verify names after making changes on the DVR or web portal.

Q5: Why don’t my new names show up in the mobile app?

This usually happens due to caching. Try these fixes:

• Log out of the Hik-Connect app and log back in.
• Clear the app’s cache (Settings > Apps > Hik-Connect > Storage > Clear Cache).
• Restart your phone.

If it still doesn’t work, ensure your DVR’s firmware is up to date.

Q6: Is there a character limit for camera names?

Yes. Most Hikvision DVRs support up to 32 characters in the camera name field. Longer names may be cut off in the OSD or app. Keep it short and descriptive: “Back Gate – East” works better than “This camera watches the eastern section of the rear perimeter gate”.

Q7: Can I batch-rename multiple cameras at once?

Unfortunately, no. Hikvision doesn’t support bulk renaming in the 2026 series. You must edit each camera individually. But you can speed up the process by preparing a list beforehand and using a consistent naming pattern.

For large installations, consider using iVMS-4200 (Hikvision’s centralized management software). It offers more advanced features, including bulk editing—though setup takes extra time.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to change camera name in Hikvision DVR 2026 guide might seem like a small task, but its impact is huge. Clear, descriptive names turn a confusing array of “Camera 01” labels into a smart, organized surveillance system.

From improving response times during emergencies to making routine checks faster, renaming cameras is a foundational best practice. Whether you’re securing a home, office, or warehouse, this simple tweak pays off every single day.

We walked through every step: logging in, navigating the menu, editing names, saving changes, testing visibility, and even customizing OSD appearance. We covered pro tips, common mistakes, and answered your top questions.

Now it’s your turn. Grab your list of camera locations, plug in your mouse, and start renaming. Take your time, double-check each entry, and don’t forget to hit that Apply button.

And once you’re done? Share this guide with your team, print out your naming chart, and celebrate a job well done. You’ve just made your security system smarter, faster, and easier to use.

Remember: Great security isn’t just about cameras and alarms—it’s about clarity, organization, and usability. And it all starts with a name.

Ready to take your Hikvision setup to the next level? Explore motion detection zones, schedule recording, and enable remote alerts—all made easier when your cameras have clear names.