3 Ways To Upgrade Firmware On Any Dahua NVR / XVR Video Recorder Manually 2020

Today we’re guiding you through fast manual firmware update, applicable to every Dahua NVR and XVR Video Recorders, and it literally won’t take you more than 5 minutes. You’re on Pipl Systems Store.


There are 4 ways to upgrade a firmware on Dahua NVRs and XVRs:

  • Video recorder’s web interface;
  • Dahua’s Config Tool;
  • Smart PSS software;
  • Flash drive, but we won’t do that;

Firstly, we will go through the most common and universal option, assuming no any software downloads – the web interface.


NOTE that the following part is identical for all 3 options that we go through today – to locate device name and download the firmware file itself, and further in the video I will be referring to this part.

First of all, your device has to be initialized or activated, then you need to locate your recorder’s marking, which is “NVR4116-4KS2” for me. You can find it on the video recorder’s box, on the informational plate, usually located on the device’ bottom part, and you can also locate your NVR or XVR marking in a software way – via Dahua’s ConfigTool or SmartPSS if you have access to either.

• Then go to Dahua’ website, locate search button, or you can also scroll down to find download center link, but there’s no need for it though. Type in your recorder’s marking, in my case I am pasting mine in the field and search. And NOTE that it may be a different website layout for your country, but the idea is the same – search button. Then a list with search results will appear and among search results locate your NVR Press it, you will be redirected to product card. Scroll down to find download button, locate Firmware item and download the latest firmware. Now I got to agree with license, select my country and type in my email-address and press submit. The download begun… Once it is downloaded, I open the folder and unzip the archive, from which I’ve got a single BIN-type file, named after firmware version, weighting around Fifty megabytes. It may be other data and files in archive for you… but you need to locate a similar BIN-type file, and also be careful what firmware to download. Firstly, for which country it was intended, secondly, for which language and thirdly, is it the NTSC OR PAL encoding system for your country? Answer these before proceeding.


Firmware Update Via Web Interface

For a purpose of updating device’ firmware go to NVR’s web interface via browser, I’m using the classic Internet Explorer cause I’m used to it and it’s 100% supported by every single manufacturer, though it might work as well with Chrome, Mozilla and etc. Type in your recorder’s IP-address, that you can locate either in either ConfigTool or Smart PSS, enter, and on the page input your user’s data – Admin and password. Log in and right away going to maintenance tab, down to management tab, and the last item there on the right – “Update”. You will see file update inscription, and opposite to “Path” press browse, locate previously downloaded BIN-type firmware file, OK, and now the most crucial step – press update and confirm. Now you will see progress bar, and after that your video recorder will reboot and appear with online status, meaning upgrade is completed and you can continue using your NVR or XVR, but running a new firmware. By the way, manufacturer recommends to restore factory settings on the device, and then initialize and set it up again, it’s not necessary but recomended, so it’s up to you.


Firmware Update Via ConfigTool

Option #2 is assuming that we’re going to update recorder’s firmware with a software named ConfigTool, that is completely free and can be downloaded from a Dahua website. From a previous part we’ve got NVR’s or DVR’s name, and we have also downloaded an archive with firmware file, so we skip it here and go to the firmware update process itself.

First of all – get that ConfigTool and install it like a common program. Once you are there in the program, you will see all your devices in the list, but we need to go to the firmware update tab, which is item number 6 in the left column. Opposite to required device press browse, locate previously downloaded from the first part firmware file, select, OK, and press upgrade. The progress bar, then reboot and the device will appear back with online status, meaning upgrade is completed and you can continue using your NVR or XVR, but running a new firmware. Manufacturer recommends to restore factory settings on the device, and then initialize and set it up again, but it’s not necessary, so it’s up to you.


Firmware Update Via SmartPSS

Option #3 requires us to download a free Dahua SmartPSS software. Again, from the first part of the video we’ve got our recorder’s name or factory marking and we have also downloaded an archive with firmware file, so we skip it here and go to the firmware update process itself. Add your NVR to Smart PSS, check the box left to it and then on the opposite side, press the cog icon. Right there you will see device model, software version and upgrade button. Press, locate the downloaded firmware file, and upgrade. You will see the progress bar and after that your video recorder will reboot and appear with online status, meaning upgrade is completed and you can continue using your NVR or XVR, but running a new firmware. By the way, manufacturer recommends to restore factory settings on the device, and then initialize and set it up again, but it’s not necessary, so it’s up to you.


If you purchased you video recorder, camera or anything from us – we can help you update firmware for it, just contact our technical support, and we can also help you select your perfect security video surveillance system 🙂

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