Why Your Hikvision / HiLook Camera Says “Inactive” – And What To Do

If you have recently purchased a Hikvision or HiLook CCTV system from JMC Secure and noticed the device shows as “Inactive”, do not worry – this is completely normal.

In fact, it is an important security feature designed to protect your system from unauthorised access.

What Does “Inactive” Mean?

When Hikvision and HiLook devices leave the factory, they are not pre-configured with a password. Instead, they are shipped in an inactive state, which means:

• The device has no password set
• It cannot be accessed or used yet
• It must be activated by the end user

This is done intentionally to improve security and ensure only the owner has control over the system.

Why Are Devices Supplied Inactive?

In the past, many CCTV systems were supplied with default login details such as admin/admin or admin/12345. This created a major security risk, as anyone could gain access to systems that had not been properly secured.

To solve this, Hikvision introduced mandatory activation:

• No default password exists
• The installer or end user must create one
• Each system becomes unique and secure from day one

How To Activate Your Device

Activation is quick and usually takes less than a minute. You will normally be prompted the first time the system powers on.

Note: if you are connecting cameras to an NVR or DVR, you do not need to activate each camera individually. Cameras connected to an active recorder are typically activated automatically as part of the recorder setup. You will only need to follow the steps below if you are setting up a standalone camera, or activating a recorder for the first time.

Option 1 – Directly on the Recorder (NVR/DVR)

1. Connect your recorder to a monitor
2. Power it on
3. You will see an activation screen on first boot
4. Enter a new admin password
5. Confirm the password and complete the setup wizard

Once completed, your system is active and ready to use.

Option 2 – Using the SADP Tool or Web Browser

If you are activating a device individually, the easiest method is to use the free Hikvision SADP tool, which is available to download from Hikvision’s website. SADP is a free Windows utility that scans your local network and locates Hikvision and HiLook devices automatically.

1. Download and install the SADP tool from Hikvision’s website
2. Connect the device to your network and power it on
3. Open SADP – it will scan your network and list any devices found
4. Your device will appear with a status of “Inactive”
5. Select the device and create a password when prompted
6. Once activated, enable DHCP in the device settings – you should then see a new IP address assigned. If no IP appears, press Refresh and confirm DHCP is enabled.
7. Copy that IP address into your browser to access the device interface. We recommend using Microsoft Edge in ‘Internet Explorer Mode’ or the Google Chrome ‘IE Tab’ extension for full compatibility with older plugin-based interfaces.

Important Tips When Choosing a Password

This is one of the most important parts of the setup process. Hikvision devices enforce a minimum password strength, so your password must be at least 8 characters long and include at least two of the following: uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, or symbols.

• Avoid simple passwords like “123456” or “password”
• Write it down and store it safely – somewhere secure but accessible

Important: If you forget your password, it cannot be easily recovered. A password recovery feature is not currently available on the CCTV range, though we hope this will be added in future. In the meantime, a factory reset will be required – see the section below.

What If You Forget Your Password?

If you do forget your password, a factory reset is required. We have a full guide covering the reset process here: Step-by-step guide to resetting Hikvision / HiLook CCTV passwords.

As a general guide:

• Most Hikvision cameras have a physical reset button on the camera body itself
• Most HiLook cameras do not have a reset button, so prevention is especially important if you are using HiLook equipment
• Recorders (NVR/DVR) have their own reset process, covered in the guide above

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Thinking the device is faulty because it says “Inactive” – it is not, it is brand new
• Trying to use the system before activation is complete
• Setting a weak or easy to guess password
• Not writing the password down somewhere safe after setup

Does JMC Secure Activate Devices Before Shipping?

No – and this is intentional. All Hikvision and HiLook products are supplied factory fresh and inactive so that:

• You have full control over the password from day one
• The system remains secure out of the box
• No third party, including us, knows your login details

Final Thoughts

Seeing “Inactive” on your CCTV system is not a fault – it is a sign that your system is brand new and properly secured. Activation is simply the first step in setup, and once completed, your system will be ready to use.

Need Help?

Still not sure? Give us a call on 01902 213 999 – we are always happy to talk you through it.