If you’ve recently purchased a Hikvision security system, one of the first things you might notice is its beeping. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a true solution for this issue. You can do some things to help fix the problem, however, and many of those solutions involve troubleshooting with your NVR unit and your computer.
What is a Hikvision NVR Beep?
If you are experiencing a beeping noise from your Hikvision NVR, there is most likely a simple solution to the issue.
This blog post will provide instructions on how to troubleshoot and resolve the beeping issue. What is the beeping noise?
The beeping noise you hear is most likely a signal that the NVR has discovered a new video. As you would expect, this signal comes from the camera in your network. This new signal could indicate an event that requires action on your network. For example, it might dictate that a motion sensor has detected motion or that a door has been opened.
For example, we have installed several Hikvision NVRs to monitor the security of our school, and the following image illustrates what a system log looks like when this type of event occurs:
There are two common issues at play if you are experiencing beeps while recording (and not just while rebooting).
First, the NVR is recording (you can tell this because you will see the light on your camera flash and then switch off a second later). The issue with beeps is that when recording occurs, it can mask any error messages that may pop up, creating confusion.
Second, some specific conditions cause beeps to occur. The video segmenter on the NVR has been configured for H.264 compression. If you are using cameras operating at lower resolutions or data rates, this option can lead to loud beeps as it tries to compress large amounts of data.
However, not all cameras suffer from this issue, and in most cases, we have found no need to change anything on the NVR to fix these problems. If you find that the beeps are a real problem and you have one of the cameras mentioned above, then we recommend moving to a different camera or camera type. While this may seem like a drastic step, it gives you more control over your recordings.
If you have increased your recording storage space on your NVR, you may have noticed some problems with the beep noise from these cameras when the recording is done. If this is the case and there is no other way to get rid of them (such as using an audio filter), consider using our audio filters or adjusting your audio settings on the NVR to remove them. Please see our complete Camera Problems article for more details: H.264 Recording Noise.
Why does my Hikvision NVR Beep?
Hikvision NVR beeping can be one of the most frustrating problems to experience. There are several reasons an NVR may be beeping, and each requires a different solution. This blog post will discuss the most common Hikvision NVR beeping issues and how to investigate and fix them. Some of the most common Hikvision NVR beeping issues include:
Hikvision NVR is beeping when powered on. Suppose an NVR is beeping when it’s turned on. In that case, some common causes are as follows: Bad power supply or bad battery in the NVR (check all cables and make sure they’re secure), Faulty motherboard or computer Power supply not being able to provide enough current to charge the battery (you may need a higher voltage power supply) Poor cable quality A low battery level, so ensure you are always using a charged battery For more info about what reasons for beeping here’s another blog post about beep issues in Hikvision NVR.
Much newer Hikvision NVRs are manufactured to be power-saving and will go into a deep sleep mode when the power to the NVR is completely turned off. The NVR will still visually show as powered on, but in reality, it’s powered down. In this case, most of these devices will beep upon being powered up (which means they won’t beep during a live event when someone tries to raid your home with an axe, and they won’t send you emails about water tank leaks). For more information, see this blog post about the Deep Sleep feature in Hikvision NVRs.
Hikvision NVR Beeping Due to Software Issues:
This is tricky, especially if you have the latest firmware installed on your NVR. The problem is that although most Hikvision NVRs come with their own user interface, they also have a web-based admin panel. This can be accessed remotely via https://ip or an Ethernet cable plugged into port 1 of your router (which every modern router supports).
Does this make it easier for hackers? Yes, it does! For example, suppose somebody wanted to gain access to your network over an unsecured wireless network but could not do so directly due to the password requirement. In that case, he could connect via your NVR instead and gain access to everything on your system. There are communities dedicated to distributing.
Common Causes of Hikvision NVR Beeping: Decoding the Symphony of Beeps
The rhythmic beeping emanating from your Hikvision NVR might seem like a random occurrence, but it’s actually a communication channel. Those beeps hold valuable clues about the health and security of your surveillance system. Here’s a breakdown of the common culprits behind the beeping and how to identify them:
1. Hardware Hiccups:
- Faulty Hard Drive: Your NVR relies on a hard drive to store recorded footage. A failing hard drive (improper installation, physical damage, or insufficient storage space) can trigger beeps.
- Symptoms: Beeping might be accompanied by error messages in the NVR logs indicating storage issues.
- Disconnected Cables: Loose or disconnected cables can disrupt communication between the NVR and its components, leading to beeps.
- Symptoms: Check for loose connections at the power supply, hard drive, and any connected cameras.
2. Software Shortcomings:
- Incorrect System Configuration: Configuration errors within the NVR software can cause malfunctioning and trigger beeps.
- Symptoms: Consult the NVR manual to ensure settings like date, time, and network configuration are accurate.
- Network Connectivity Problems: If your NVR loses connection to the network, it might beep to signal this critical issue.
- Symptoms: Verify your network connection and ensure other devices can access the internet.
- Outdated Firmware: Outdated NVR firmware can lead to bugs and compatibility issues, potentially resulting in beeps.
- Symptoms: Check the NVR for available firmware updates and install them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Security Events:
- Illegal Login Attempts: The NVR might beep to alert you of unauthorized attempts to access your system.
- Symptoms: Review the NVR logs for any login attempts originating from unknown IP addresses.
- Motion Detection Triggered (Unintended): If motion detection is enabled in areas with frequent movement (like a busy street), the NVR might beep constantly.
- Symptoms: Adjust motion detection settings within the NVR to exclude areas with frequent non-threatening movement.
By understanding these common causes and their symptoms, you can effectively troubleshoot the beeping and ensure your Hikvision NVR functions optimally, keeping your surveillance system and its alerts in perfect harmony.
How to Troubleshoot the Hikvision NVR Beeping
If you are experiencing the Hikvision NVR beeping, there are a few things that you can do to troubleshoot the issue. First, check to see if the NVR is properly connected to your network. If it is not connected, try connecting it to your network and booting it up. If the NVR still beeps, then you likely have a hardware issue with the device. In this case, you need to contact Hikvision support to figure out the issue. If the Hikvision NVR beeps constantly or is constantly beeping, you likely have clogged or broken wiring within your network. You would need to contact Hikvision support in this case. The Hikvision NVR does not have motherboard replacement parts, so you can’t replace the motherboard yourself. If this is the issue and the problem persists, you will need to bring it into a service centre for repair.
These are the main issues and problems you may encounter with the Hikvision NVR. If these do not work for you, you should contact a repair service centre to help fix whatever issue you have with the device. Otherwise, watch your system’s performance and ensure it is running at peak performance while using the Hikvision NVR.
Diagnosing the Beep:
- Hard Disk Errors: A faulty or improperly installed hard drive is a common culprit behind NVR beeps. Check the device’s logs for “HDD error” or “disk full” messages.
- Improper Installation: Did you forget to format the hard drive or connect it securely? Ensure proper setup and compatibility of your hard drive.
- Lost Connection: Is your NVR struggling to communicate with cameras or the network? Look for “network error” or “camera disconnected” messages in the logs.
Silencing the Siren:
- Identify the Error: Access the “System” or “Event” menu in your NVR’s interface to find out what triggered the beeps.
- Exceptional Ways to Stop Beeping: While temporarily disabling the buzzer in the settings is tempting, it’s crucial to address the underlying problem.
- Firmware Update: Consider updating your NVR’s firmware for bug fixes and improved stability.
- Technical Support: If troubleshooting fails, contacting Hikvision technical support for advanced assistance is advisable.
How-to: Disabling Beeps (with Caution):
- Access your NVR’s interface.
- Navigate to the “Configuration” or “Settings” menu.
- Locate the “Buzzer” or “Audio Alert” options.
- Uncheck the “Enable” box or select specific events for beep notifications.
- Remember: Disabling alerts completely masks future warnings!
Hikvision Error Codes with Details:
While a centralized beep code list doesn’t exist, your NVR’s logs often provide specific error codes with detailed descriptions. Consult your device manual or online resources for interpreting these codes.
Number of Beeps:
- Continuous Beeping: This usually indicates a serious issue like a hardware failure or overheating.
- Single Beep: This could be a normal notification sound, like when the device starts up or finishes recording.
- Multiple Beeps: The number and pattern of beeps can often provide more specific information about the issue. For example, two short beeps might indicate a network connection problem, while three long beeps followed by two short beeps might indicate a hard drive failure.
Beep Tone:
- High-pitched Beeps: These often indicate less severe issues, like warnings or configuration errors.
- Low-pitched Beeps: These usually indicate more serious problems.
Checking the Manual:
The best way to find out the specific meaning of the beeps for your Hikvision device is to consult the user manual. The manual should have a section on troubleshooting that includes a list of beep codes and their meanings.
Getting Rid of the Beep Sound:
Beyond silencing the beeps, focus on resolving the underlying issue. A healthy NVR operates quietly and efficiently, ensuring the optimal performance of your security system.
3 Long 2 Short Sequence
The repetitive sequence of 3 long beeps followed by 2 short beeps from your Hikvision device can be unsettling, leaving you wondering what’s wrong. Fortunately, with a little detective work, you can decipher the message hidden within these beeps.
Possible Causes:
Here are some of the most common reasons you might hear 3 long and 2 short beeps from your Hikvision device:
- Hard Drive Issues: This is the most likely culprit. It could indicate a failing hard drive, a disconnected hard drive, or insufficient storage space.
- Fan Failure: If your device’s fan isn’t functioning properly, it can overheat and trigger the alarm.
- Low Battery: In some Hikvision devices, particularly cameras, a low battery can trigger this beep sequence.
- System Overheat: Similar to fan failure, if your device overheats due to environmental factors or internal issues, it may sound the alarm.
- Configuration Error: In rare cases, a specific configuration error within your device can be responsible for the beeps.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- Check the LED indicators: Many Hikvision devices have accompanying LED lights that provide additional clues about the problem. Refer to your device’s manual for specific LED code meanings.
- Connect to the NVR: If you’re dealing with an NVR (Network Video Recorder), access it through the software or mobile app to check system logs and identify any error messages.
- Consult the user manual: Every Hikvision device comes with a detailed user manual containing specific troubleshooting advice for different beep codes.
- Contact Hikvision Support: If the problem persists or you’re unsure of the cause, reaching out to Hikvision’s official support channels is the best course of action. They have qualified technicians who can diagnose the issue and recommend solutions specific to your device model.
Remember:
While the 3 long 2 short beep sequence often points towards hard drive issues, it’s crucial to consider other potential causes and approach troubleshooting strategically. Consulting the user manual and contacting Hikvision support will lead you towards a swift resolution and restored peace of mind.
Disabling Beeping as a Last Resort (Optional)
We understand that the constant beeping from your Hikvision NVR can be frustrating. However, it’s crucial to remember that these beeps serve as important alerts, notifying you of potential problems within your security system. Disabling them entirely can leave you blind to critical issues and compromise your overall security posture.
Therefore, we strongly recommend working through the troubleshooting steps outlined earlier to identify and address the root cause of the beeping. This ensures your NVR functions optimally and effectively safeguards your property.
Silence, But Not Security: Disabling Beeps (Use With Caution)
If, after exhausting all troubleshooting options, the beeping persists, you can opt to disable the audible alerts as a last resort. Here’s a general guideline (consult your specific NVR manual for precise instructions):
1. Access the NVR Settings Menu:
The exact steps to access the settings menu might vary depending on your NVR model. Typically, you’ll need to log in to the NVR using your administrator credentials and navigate to a menu labeled “System,” “Configuration,” or something similar.
2. Locate the Audio/Buzzer Settings:
Once inside the settings menu, look for a section related to “Audio,” “Buzzer,” or “Sounds.” This section might be located under a sub-menu like “System Settings” or “Event.”
3. Disable Audible Alerts:
Within the audio/buzzer settings, you’ll likely find an option to enable or disable audible alerts. This might be presented as a checkbox, a toggle switch, or a dropdown menu with options like “On” and “Off.”
4. Save Your Changes:
After selecting the option to disable audible alerts, be sure to save your changes within the settings menu. This will ensure the NVR no longer produces beeps for any events or warnings.
Remember: Disabling beeps entirely means you’ll rely solely on visual notifications within the NVR interface or mobile app (if applicable) to stay informed about potential security issues. Proceed with caution and prioritize troubleshooting the underlying cause whenever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I change the Hikvision beep sound? Some models offer limited sound customization options.
- Do all Hikvision devices beep? Cameras typically rely on visual indicators for errors, while NVRs and DVRs use beeps more prominently.
- What if my NVR keeps beeping even after fixing the error? Consult Hikvision support for advanced troubleshooting or possible hardware issues.
By understanding the language of Hikvision beeps, you can maintain a robust and silent security system, allowing you to focus on peace of mind rather than deciphering alarms. Remember, a timely response to error notifications ensures your investment in security remains effective and reliable.
Conclusion
If you are experiencing the Hikvision NVR beeping, there are a few things that you can do to troubleshoot the issue. First, try resetting your NVR by unplugging it and then plugging it back in. If that doesn’t work, try performing a hard reset on your NVR by pressing and holding both buttons for 10 seconds. If none of these solutions works, you might need to contact Hikvision technical support to get help resolving the issue.