Knowing how to restore your Reolink device is crucial, especially if you're facing password issues or transferring ownership. This guide will help you restore your Reolink devices to ensure optimal performance and functionality.

Applies to: All Reolink devices.

Reolink Restore Use Cases

  1. Forgot password but still able to access the device via another phone, PC client, or web browser.

    If the device is completely inaccessible:
    – NVR users: [See How to Reset Reolink NVR Recorder's Password]
    – Cameras, Home Hub, and iOT users: [See How to Hard Reset Device by Pressing the Reset Button] (must be hard reset using the physical reset button)

  2. Incorrect configuration settings; need to restore to factory defaults.

  3. Device not working properly.

Restore Reolink Device Step-by-Step Instruction

  • Via Reolink App

    Note: The images below show examples of how to restore a camera. The Restore option is found under Device's Advanced Settings, but its location may vary by device.

    Step 1. Launch the Reolink App and go to Device Settings > Advanced.

    camera settings the advanced button

    Step 2. Tap the Restore button to restore the device.

    restore button tap the restore button

    Step 3. After the restore, it's normal for the device to show "Device disconnected" as it needs to restart.

    device disconnected

    Step 4. After a few minutes, you'll see a message stating "Uninitialized device". Tap on this prompt to begin setting a new password for your device.
    uninitialized device start initialization

     create username and passowrd

    Step 5. Name your device. Then the initialization is complete.

    name your device the initialization finished

  • Via Reolink Client

    Note: The images below show examples of how to restore a camera. The Restore option is found under Device's System Maintenance Settings.

    Here is a video for your reference:

    Step 1. Go to Device Settings> System > Maintenance, then you will find the Restore button.

    restore

    Step 2. Click the Restore button, then it will pop out "Warning: Device will be restored to factory settings and reboot. Do you wish to continue?” If you confirm you want to restore, please click the Confirm button.

    confirm button

    Now you have restored your device's settings to factory status. 

    Step 3. It takes some time to reboot and reconnect. When it shows "Not initialized", please click it.

    not initialized

    Step 4. Create a new password for the device. Input the password again for confirmation, and click Next.

    create device password

    Step 5. Name the device, and click Finish. Now you can access the device.

    name your device

    finish

  • Via Reolink Web browser

    Applies to: Cameras/NVRs that support web access.

    Step 1. Log into your camera/NVRs via a Web Browser, and click the gear icon on the top right to get to the device settings page. 

    login web

    web live view

    Step 2. Click System > Maintenance > Restore.

    restore on web

    Step 3. Click Confirm to restore your device.

    warning

  • Via Reolink NVR (New UI)

    Applies to: RLN8-410 (hardware version H3MB18/N2MB02/N3MB01/N7MB01), RLN16-410 (hardware version H3MB18/N6MB01), RLN36, RLN12W, NVS8, NVS16, NVS36, NVS12.

    Step 1. Log in to your NVR via the monitor, and go to the Settings page.

    click the settings

    Step 2. Then go to System > Maintenance page and choose Restore.

    choose Restore

  • Via Reolink NVR (Old UI)

    Applies to: RLN4-410 (hardware version H3MB17), RLN8-410 (hardware version H3MB02), RLN8-410-E, RLN16-410 (hardware version H3MB02/H3MB06)

    Step 1. Log in to your PoE NVR on a monitor.

    Step 2. Go to Menu > System > Maintenance page, then click on the Restore button.

    POE main menu

    Restore Button

How Reolink Restore Works

  • What Restore Does: "Restore" resets the device to factory settings, including the password. A new password must be set afterward.

  • Remote Restore: The camera can be restored remotely via software without taking it down.

  • Recordings Not Affected: Restoring clears settings but does not delete recordings. See: Introduction to the Differences between Reset, Restore and Reboot.

  • Insufficient Permissions: The user account does not have permission to restore the device.

  • NVR Users – Password May Be Reassigned: If an NVR is on the same network and the camera login fails after restoring, the NVR may have automatically assigned a new password to the camera. See: How to Configure User Settings via Reolink NVRs.

  • NVR/Home Hub Users – Hard Reset Required for Individual Cameras: The “Restore” option only resets system-wide NVR or Home Hub settings. To reset a specific camera’s configuration or password, a physical reset on the camera is required. See: How to Hard Reset Device by Pressing the Reset Button.

Related Articles

How to Add Reolink Products to Reolink Software

How to Hard Reset Device by Pressing the Reset Button

Introuduction to Reolink NVR Passwords

Introduction to the Password of Reolink App/Client, Reolink Account and Reolink Device

If you have any other questions, please click the link Submit a request below to contact Reolink Support.