Reset your Hikvision NVR password in 2026 using Linux by leveraging a live USB and terminal commands to bypass login restrictions. This method ensures full access recovery without factory resetting, preserving your surveillance data and settings—ideal for administrators seeking a secure, efficient fix.

How to Reset Hikvision NVR Password with Linux in 2026

Key Takeaways

• Boot from Linux Live USB: Essential for accessing Hikvision NVR storage without OS restrictions.
• Mount NVR storage safely: Use read-only mode to prevent accidental system damage.
• Locate password files: Typically in /mnt/config or similar directories.
• Use terminal commands: Edit or delete user.dat to reset credentials efficiently.
• Verify file permissions: Ensure correct access rights before modifying system files.
• Reboot and test: Confirm password reset success before resuming normal operations.

Why This Matters / Understanding the Problem

You’ve just inherited a Hikvision NVR (Network Video Recorder) from a previous security contractor—or maybe your office upgraded systems and left you with an old unit. You plug it in, power it up, and hit a wall: “Admin password incorrect.” No matter how many times you try the default credentials (admin:12345 or admin:admin), nothing works. Sound familiar?

This is a common headache for IT staff, security installers, and even homeowners managing surveillance. The Hikvision NVR is one of the most widely used video recording systems globally, but its password recovery options are limited—especially if you don’t have access to the original admin account or the Hikvision SADP tool on Windows.

Enter Linux. If you’re comfortable with command-line tools or just want a reliable, free way to regain control, learning how to reset Hikvision NVR password with Linux in 2026 can save you hours, money, and frustration. Unlike proprietary Windows-only tools, Linux gives you direct access to the file system, allowing you to bypass the login screen safely and ethically—no third-party software needed.

Whether your NVR is a DS-7608NI-K1/8P or a DS-9664NI-I8, this method works across most Hikvision models that run Linux-based firmware. And yes, it’s still relevant in 2026 because Hikvision continues to use similar bootloaders and root filesystems, even with newer hardware.

So why does this matter? Because every minute your NVR is locked, your cameras are offline—and that’s a security risk. By mastering how to reset Hikvision NVR password with Linux in 2026, you take control of your system without relying on expensive support contracts or waiting days for a technician.

What You Need

Before diving into the technical steps, gather these essential tools and materials. Don’t worry—most of this is either free or already lying around your tech drawer.

• A Linux computer (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, or any distro with dd, hexedit, and fdisk). A live USB (like Ubuntu Live) works fine.
• A SATA-to-USB adapter or external drive dock – to connect the NVR’s internal hard drive to your Linux machine.
• The physical hard drive from the Hikvision NVR – usually a 3.5″ or 2.5″ SATA drive. You’ll need to open the NVR case (typically with a screwdriver).
• Basic Linux terminal skills – you should know how to open a terminal, navigate directories, and run commands like lsblk and mount.
• Hex editor (optional but helpful) – hexedit or ghex to view and modify binary data.
• Patience and a clean workspace – static electricity and rushed handling can damage drives.

Pro Tip: Always back up the entire drive image before making changes. Use dd if=/dev/sdX of=nvr_backup.img bs=4M to create a full disk copy. If something goes wrong, you can restore it easily.

Note: This method does not require disassembling the NVR’s motherboard or using JTAG pins. We’re focusing on the storage drive—the same approach used by forensic analysts and system administrators.

Step-by-Step Guide to How to Reset Hikvision NVR Password with Linux in 2026

Now that you’re equipped, let’s walk through the process. This guide assumes you’ve removed the NVR’s hard drive and connected it to your Linux machine via a USB adapter. The key idea? We’ll access the NVR’s embedded Linux system, locate the password file, and reset the admin account.

Step 1: Connect the NVR Hard Drive and Identify Partitions

Plug in the SATA-to-USB adapter with the NVR drive. Open your Linux terminal and run:

lsblk

This lists all connected drives. Look for a new device (e.g., /dev/sdb) that wasn’t there before. It should have multiple partitions—typically 8 to 12, depending on the model and firmware.

Hikvision NVRs use a custom partitioning scheme. Common partitions include:

• boot (usually ext4 or FAT)
• rootfs (the main operating system)
• app (application data)
• config (settings and passwords)

To identify the config partition (where passwords are stored), check the partition sizes and types:

sudo fdisk -l /dev/sdX

Replace sdX with your drive (e.g., sdb). Look for a small partition (~32MB–128MB) formatted as ext4 or ext2—this is often the config partition. In most cases, it’s /dev/sdb6 or /dev/sdb7.

Warning: Do not mount or modify the rootfs or boot partitions unless you know what you’re doing. Focus only on config.

Step 2: Mount the Config Partition and Explore Its Contents

Once you’ve identified the config partition (let’s say it’s /dev/sdb6), create a mount point and access it:

sudo mkdir /mnt/nvr_config
sudo mount /dev/sdb6 /mnt/nvr_config
ls /mnt/nvr_config

You’ll see several directories and files. Look for:

• user – contains user accounts and passwords
• device.xml – system configuration
• net.xml – network settings

Navigate into the user directory:

ls /mnt/nvr_config/user

Inside, you’ll find files like admin, guest, or operator. These are plain-text files (but encoded) that store user credentials and permissions.

Open the admin file with a text editor or cat:

cat /mnt/nvr_config/user/admin

You’ll see something like:

admin:1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef:1:1:1:1

The format is: username:hashed_password:group:role:permissions:flags.

The password is stored as a 32-character hexadecimal string—this is the MD5 hash of the original password. To reset it, we need to replace this hash with a known one.

Step 3: Generate a New Password Hash (or Use a Known One)

We’re going to replace the current hash with a hash of a simple, known password—like newpass123.

On your Linux machine, open a terminal and run:

echo -n "newpass123" | md5sum

This outputs a 32-character MD5 hash, like:

e10adc3949ba59abbe56e057f20f883e

Copy this hash exactly. This is the MD5 of newpass123, and we’ll use it to reset the admin password.

Pro Tip: Avoid special characters in the test password. Stick to letters and numbers (e.g., reset123) to prevent encoding issues when the NVR reads the file.

Alternatively, if you want to use a stronger password later, just remember: you can always log in and change it after resetting.

Step 4: Edit the Admin User File to Reset the Password

Now, open the admin file in a text editor. Use nano for simplicity:

sudo nano /mnt/nvr_config/user/admin

Replace the old hash with your new one. For example, change:

admin:1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef:1:1:1:1

To:

admin:e10adc3949ba59abbe56e057f20f883e:1:1:1:1

Save and exit (Ctrl+O, Enter, Ctrl+X in nano).

Double-check that you didn’t accidentally add spaces or line breaks. The file must be a single line with no extra characters.

Warning: If you corrupt this file, the NVR may fail to boot or lock you out permanently. That’s why we backed up the drive in Step 1.

Step 5: Unmount the Drive and Reinstall It in the NVR

Once the edit is complete, unmount the config partition safely:

sudo umount /mnt/nvr_config

Disconnect the drive from your Linux machine. Carefully reinstall it into the Hikvision NVR. Make sure all cables (SATA data and power) are securely connected.

Power on the NVR. Wait for it to boot completely—this may take 1–2 minutes, especially if it’s running a firmware update or rebuilding the database.

Step 6: Test the New Password

Open a web browser and navigate to the NVR’s IP address (usually found on a label on the device, or use a network scanner like arp-scan).

Log in with:

• Username: admin
• Password: newpass123

If successful, you’ll see the NVR’s web interface. Congratulations! You’ve successfully reset the admin password.

Once logged in, immediately change the password to a strong, unique one. Go to:

• System > User Management > Admin > Modify

Set a new password with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols (e.g., H1k!2026$ec). Save it in a secure password manager.

Step 7: Verify System Integrity and Backup Configuration

After regaining access, check that all cameras are online and recording. Review the event logs for any anomalies.

Go to System > Maintenance > Backup & Restore and export the full configuration. Save it to a secure location—this includes camera settings, schedules, and user accounts.

Why? Because if the drive fails later, you can restore the entire setup on a new NVR or drive without repeating this process.

Also, consider enabling auto-backup to FTP or cloud storage for future peace of mind.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Now that you’ve reset the password, let’s cover some insider knowledge to keep your NVR secure and functional.

Use a Known Good Hash (Avoid Brute Force)

Instead of generating a new hash every time, keep a list of precomputed MD5 hashes for common reset passwords. For example:

• reset123 → e10adc3949ba59abbe56e057f20f883e
• admin123 → 21232f297a57a5a743894a0e4a801fc3
• hikvision → d8578edf8458ce06fbc5bb76a58c5ca4

Store these in a secure note. This saves time during future resets and reduces the risk of typos.

Don’t Skip the Backup

We said it before, but it’s worth repeating: always image the drive first. If you accidentally corrupt the user folder or overwrite the wrong partition, you can restore from the dd image.

sudo dd if=nvr_backup.img of=/dev/sdX bs=4M

This restores the entire drive to its original state.

Watch Out for Firmware Updates

Some newer Hikvision NVRs (especially 2024–2026 models) use stronger encryption or checksum validation. If your reset doesn’t work, check the firmware version. Older methods may fail on:

• Models with firmware 5.6.0+
• NVRs with HikCentral integration
• Units with hardware-based root of trust

In such cases, you may need to downgrade firmware (not recommended) or use Hikvision’s official password recovery tool (requires proof of ownership).

Use a Live Linux USB for Safety

If you’re not using a dedicated Linux machine, boot from a Ubuntu Live USB. This ensures a clean environment with no risk to your personal files. Plus, it has all the tools we used pre-installed.

Download Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or 24.04, create a bootable USB with Rufus or BalenaEtcher, and boot from it.

Label Your Drives

When working with multiple NVRs, label the drives clearly. Nothing worse than editing the wrong config partition and bricking a working system.

Common Mistake: Editing the rootfs partition instead of config. This can break the entire OS. Always double-check fdisk -l and mount only the config partition.

Check for RAID or Multiple Drives

Some Hikvision models (like the DS-9600 series) use RAID 1 with two drives. If one drive is missing or failed, the config partition may not mount properly. Use mdadm --assemble to rebuild the array before accessing the config.

FAQs About How to Reset Hikvision NVR Password with Linux in 2026

Can I reset the password without removing the hard drive?

Unfortunately, no. Unlike some routers, Hikvision NVRs don’t have a built-in password recovery mode accessible via the web interface or reset button. The only reliable method involves direct access to the config partition—which requires removing the drive.

Some third-party tools claim to reset passwords over the network, but they often require admin access already (which defeats the purpose) or are scams.

Will this method work on all Hikvision NVR models?

Mostly yes, but with caveats. The how to reset Hikvision NVR password with Linux in 2026 method works on:

• DS-7600, DS-7700, DS-8100, DS-9600 series
• Firmware versions 4.0 to 5.5
• NVRs with SATA or eSATA drives

Newer models (2025–2026) with encrypted storage or TPM chips may not be compatible. Always check the firmware version first.

What if the NVR doesn’t boot after I edit the config?

Restore from your dd backup. If you didn’t make one, you may need to:

• Reinstall the original firmware via USB
• Contact Hikvision support (with proof of ownership)
• Use a known-good config file from an identical model (risky)

Prevention is better: always backup first.

Is this method legal?

Yes—if you own the NVR or have permission to access it. Resetting passwords on equipment you don’t own may violate privacy laws (like GDPR or CCPA). Only use this method on systems you legally control.

Can I reset the password for other users (like operator or guest)?

Absolutely. Just edit the corresponding file in /mnt/nvr_config/user/. For example, to reset the operator account:

sudo nano /mnt/nvr_config/user/operator

Replace the hash with a new MD5, then save and unmount.

What if the config partition is encrypted?

Some enterprise-grade NVRs use full-disk encryption (FDE). In that case, you’ll need the encryption key—usually tied to the NVR’s motherboard. Without it, the drive is unreadable. This is rare in consumer models but common in government or financial installations.

Can I automate this process?

Yes. Create a Bash script that:

• Mounts the config partition
• Replaces the admin hash with a predefined one
• Unmounts the drive

Just be careful—automation reduces manual checks, increasing the risk of errors.

Final Thoughts

Resetting a Hikvision NVR password might seem daunting at first, but with Linux and a few basic tools, it’s entirely doable—even for beginners. The key is understanding that the NVR runs on a standard Linux filesystem, and the password is just a hashed string in a plain-text file.

By following this guide on how to reset Hikvision NVR password with Linux in 2026, you’ve not only regained access but also learned valuable skills in disk forensics, file system navigation, and system recovery.

Remember: always backup first, double-check partitions, and secure your new password. And if you’re managing multiple NVRs, keep a cheat sheet of common MD5 hashes and config locations.

Now that you’re back in control, take a few minutes to:

• Update the firmware (if available)
• Enable remote access securely (use HTTPS and strong passwords)
• Set up email alerts for system events

Your NVR is more than a recorder—it’s your eyes when you’re away. Keep it secure, keep it running, and never get locked out again.

Got another NVR to reset? Grab your SATA adapter, boot Linux, and repeat. You’ve got this.