How to Connect Dahua Dvr to Internet with Static Ip

This guide walks you through connecting your Dahua DVR to the internet using a static IP address, ensuring reliable remote access and stable performance. You’ll learn network setup, configuration steps, and troubleshooting tips to avoid common pitfalls.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Static IP ensures consistent access: Unlike dynamic IPs, a static IP doesn’t change, making it ideal for remote monitoring and reliable DVR connectivity.
Router configuration is essential: You must set up port forwarding and assign a static IP to your DVR within your local network.

Dahua DVR network settings must match: Configure the DVR’s IP, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS to align with your router and ISP settings.
Use Dahua software for remote access: Tools like DMSS or ConfigTool simplify connecting to your DVR from smartphones or computers.
Firewall and security matter: Always enable strong passwords and consider disabling UPnP to reduce security risks.

Test connectivity early: Use ping tests and port checks to verify internet access before relying on remote viewing.
Troubleshooting saves time: Common issues like port conflicts or incorrect DNS can often be resolved with simple checks.

How to Connect Dahua DVR to Internet with Static IP

So, you’ve got a Dahua DVR system installed and working great locally—cameras are recording, footage is clear, and everything looks good on the monitor. But now you want to access your security footage remotely, from your phone or laptop, no matter where you are. That’s where connecting your Dahua DVR to the internet with a static IP comes in.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process step by step. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a small business owner managing your own surveillance system, this tutorial will help you set up reliable, secure remote access to your Dahua DVR using a static IP address. We’ll cover everything from understanding what a static IP is, to configuring your router and DVR, testing the connection, and troubleshooting common issues.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to view your cameras from anywhere in the world—safely and reliably.

Why Use a Static IP for Your Dahua DVR?

Visual guide about How to Connect Dahua Dvr to Internet with Static Ip

Image source: shop.pchconnect.com

Before diving into the setup, let’s talk about why a static IP is the best choice for your Dahua DVR.

Most home and small business internet connections use dynamic IP addresses. That means your public IP (the one the internet sees) can change every time your router restarts or after a certain period. This makes remote access tricky because you never know what your IP will be.

A static IP, on the other hand, stays the same. Once assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), it doesn’t change. This consistency is crucial for remote access. When you set up port forwarding on your router to point to your DVR, you need to know that the public IP won’t suddenly shift and break the connection.

Additionally, static IPs reduce the risk of connection drops and make it easier to use DDNS (Dynamic DNS) services as a backup. Even if you don’t get a true static IP from your ISP, we’ll show you how to simulate one using your router’s DHCP reservation feature.

What You’ll Need Before Starting

Before we begin, make sure you have the following:

A Dahua DVR (any model with network capabilities)
A router with admin access
An active internet connection
A computer or smartphone on the same network as the DVR
Your ISP’s static IP address (or willingness to use DHCP reservation)

Basic knowledge of networking terms (IP, gateway, subnet, etc.)

If your ISP doesn’t offer static IPs (common with residential plans), don’t worry. We’ll cover how to use your router to assign a static local IP to the DVR, which is often sufficient for most users.

Step 1: Assign a Static Local IP to Your Dahua DVR

Even if you don’t have a public static IP from your ISP, you should assign a static local IP to your DVR within your home network. This ensures the DVR always has the same internal address, which is essential for port forwarding.

Find Your DVR’s Current IP Address

First, power on your DVR and connect it to your monitor. Navigate to the main menu:

Go to Main Menu > Network > TCP/IP
Note the current IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS settings

For example, your DVR might show:

IP: 192.168.1.100
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1
DNS: 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS)

Assign a Static IP via Router (Recommended)

The easiest and most reliable method is to use your router’s DHCP reservation feature. This tells the router to always assign the same IP to your DVR based on its MAC address.

Here’s how:

Enter your username and password (check the router label if you haven’t changed it)
Go to LAN Settings or DHCP Reservation (location varies by brand)
Find your Dahua DVR in the list of connected devices (look for its MAC address or name)

Assign a static IP (e.g., 192.168.1.150) and save the settings

Now, even if the DVR reboots, it will always get the same IP.

Manually Set Static IP on the DVR (Alternative)

If your router doesn’t support DHCP reservation, you can manually configure the DVR:

Go to Main Menu > Network > TCP/IP
Change the IP mode from DHCP to Static
Enter the desired IP (e.g., 192.168.1.150)
Set subnet mask to 255.255.255.0
Set gateway to your router’s IP (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
Set DNS to 8.8.8.8 (Google) or your ISP’s DNS
Save and reboot the DVR

After reboot, verify the IP hasn’t changed.

Step 2: Configure Port Forwarding on Your Router

Port forwarding tells your router to send incoming internet traffic on specific ports directly to your DVR. This is how remote devices can “talk” to your DVR.

Dahua DVRs typically use the following ports:

HTTP Port: 80 (for web access)
RTSP Port: 554 (for video streaming)
Server Port: 37777 (for Dahua software like DMSS)
Mobile Port: 37778 (optional, for mobile apps)

You can change these in the DVR settings if needed, but we’ll use the defaults for this guide.

Access Your Router’s Admin Panel

Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address (usually 192.168.1.1). Log in with your admin credentials.

Set Up Port Forwarding Rules

Look for a section called Port Forwarding, Virtual Server, or Applications & Gaming. The exact name depends on your router brand (e.g., TP-Link, Netgear, ASUS).

Add the following rules:

Service Name	External Port	Internal Port	Internal IP	Protocol
Dahua_HTTP	80	80	192.168.1.150	TCP
Dahua_RTSP	554	554	192.168.1.150	TCP/UDP
Dahua_Server	37777	37777	192.168.1.150	TCP
Dahua_Mobile	37778	37778	192.168.1.150	TCP

Replace 192.168.1.150 with the static IP you assigned to your DVR.

Save the settings and reboot your router if prompted.

Step 3: Obtain a Public Static IP (or Use DDNS)

Now that your DVR has a static local IP and ports are forwarded, you need a way for the internet to find your network.

Option A: Get a Static IP from Your ISP

Contact your Internet Service Provider and ask if they offer static IP addresses. Many business plans include this feature, but residential plans often charge extra (typically $5–$15/month).

If you get a static IP, your public IP will never change. You can then use it directly in Dahua apps or web browsers to access your DVR.

For example: http://203.0.113.45:80

Option B: Use Dynamic DNS (DDNS) as a Backup

If you can’t get a static IP, use DDNS. This service gives your changing public IP a fixed domain name (e.g., mydahua.ddns.net).

Dahua supports several DDNS providers, including:

Dahua DDNS (free, built-in)
No-IP
DynDNS

Set Up Dahua DDNS

Here’s how to configure it:

Go to Main Menu > Network > DDNS
Enable DDNS
Select Dahua as the provider
Enter a hostname (e.g., myhomecam123)
Enter your Dahua account email and password (create one at dahuasecurity.com if needed)
Save and test the connection

Once active, you can access your DVR using: http://myhomecam123.ddnsdahuaiot.com:80

Even if your public IP changes, the DDNS service will update the domain to point to the new IP.

Step 4: Test Internet Connectivity

Before trying remote access, verify that your DVR can reach the internet.

Ping Test from DVR

Go to Main Menu > Network > Network Status
Look for “Network Connected” or similar status
If it says “Disconnected,” check cables, IP settings, and router connection

Test Port Forwarding

Use an online port checker tool (like YouGetSignal):

Enter your public IP (find it by searching “what is my IP” in a browser)
Test ports 80, 554, 37777, and 37778
If a port shows “Open,” forwarding is working
If “Closed,” double-check your router settings and firewall

Try Local Access First

Open a browser on a device in your network and enter: http://192.168.1.150

You should see the Dahua login page. Log in with your DVR credentials.

If this works, local access is confirmed.

Step 5: Access Your DVR Remotely

Now for the moment of truth—accessing your DVR from outside your home network.

Using a Web Browser

On a smartphone, tablet, or computer (not on your home Wi-Fi), open a browser and enter:

http://[Your_Public_IP]:80 (if using static IP)
or http://myhomecam123.ddnsdahuaiot.com:80 (if using DDNS)

You should now see the live camera feed.

Using Dahua Mobile App (DMSS)

Download the DMSS app (available on iOS and Android).

Open the app and tap + to add a device
Select Manual Adding
Enter a name (e.g., “Home DVR”)
Set connection type to IP/Domain
Enter your public IP or DDNS domain
Port: 37777
Username and password: your DVR login
Save and connect

You should now see your cameras in the app.

Using ConfigTool (Desktop)

Dahua’s ConfigTool software allows remote management:

Download and install ConfigTool from Dahua’s website
Open the software and click Add Device
Enter your public IP or DDNS, port 37777, and credentials
Click Search and connect

This tool is great for managing multiple DVRs and updating firmware.

Security Tips for Remote Access

Now that your DVR is online, security is critical. Here’s how to protect it:

Change Default Passwords

Never use the default admin password (often “admin” or blank). Create a strong, unique password with letters, numbers, and symbols.

Disable UPnP

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) can automatically open ports, which is a security risk. Disable it in your router settings.

Use HTTPS (If Supported)

Some Dahua models support HTTPS. Enable it in Network > HTTPS to encrypt web traffic.

Update Firmware Regularly

Outdated firmware can have vulnerabilities. Check for updates in Main Menu > Maintenance > Upgrade.

Limit Access with Firewall Rules

If your router supports it, restrict access to specific IP ranges (e.g., only allow connections from your office IP).

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful setup, problems can happen. Here’s how to fix the most common ones.

Can’t Access DVR Remotely

Double-check your public IP or DDNS domain
Verify port forwarding rules are correct
Ensure the DVR’s local IP hasn’t changed
Test with a different device or network
Restart the DVR and router

Port Shows as Closed

Confirm the DVR is powered on and connected
Check that the firewall on the DVR or router isn’t blocking the port
Try changing the HTTP port to 81 or 8080 (some ISPs block port 80)

Update the port forwarding rule accordingly

Slow or Laggy Video

Reduce stream quality in Main Menu > Record > Encode
Use sub-stream for remote viewing (lower resolution, less bandwidth)
Check your upload speed (remote viewing depends on upload, not download)
Upgrade your internet plan if upload is below 2 Mbps

DDNS Not Updating

Ensure the DDNS service is enabled on the DVR
Check that the DVR has internet access
Log in to your DDNS provider’s website to see if the IP updated
Manually trigger an update in the DVR’s DDNS settings

Forgot DVR Password

If you can’t log in:

Use the Dahua Password Reset Tool (available on their website)
You’ll need the DVR’s serial number and a USB drive

Follow the tool’s instructions to generate a reset file
Insert the USB into the DVR and reboot

Conclusion

Connecting your Dahua DVR to the internet with a static IP might seem complex at first, but by following these steps, you’ve set up a secure, reliable system for remote monitoring. Whether you’re checking on your home while on vacation or managing a business security system, remote access gives you peace of mind.

Remember: the key to success is consistency. Use a static local IP, configure port forwarding correctly, and consider DDNS if a public static IP isn’t available. Always prioritize security by changing default passwords and keeping firmware updated.

With your Dahua DVR now online, you’re ready to view live feeds, playback recordings, and receive alerts—anytime, anywhere.