Networking
How to give a camera or NVR a static IP address
Setting a static IP on the device itself pins its address no matter what router it sits behind. Done carelessly it causes address conflicts that look like random camera dropouts, so pick the address properly first.
VuePoint
A static IP is typed into the camera or recorder rather than handed out by the router. The device keeps that address through reboots, power cuts and router swaps. That makes it the right choice for camera networks with no router of their own, for isolated VLANs, and for any site where you do not control the router. For most small sites with a router you can log in to, a DHCP reservation is the lower-risk option.
The four values you need
| Setting | What it is | Typical example |
|---|---|---|
| IP address | The address you are assigning. Must be unused and in the same subnet as the router. | 192.168.1.210 |
| Subnet mask | Defines the size of the local network. Copy it from a working computer on the same network. | 255.255.255.0 |
| Default gateway | The router's LAN address. Without it the device cannot reach the internet, the cloud app, or NTP time servers. | 192.168.1.1 |
| DNS server | Resolves names such as the vendor's cloud servers. Use the router's address or your normal DNS provider. | 192.168.1.1 |
Set the static IP
- 1
Collect the network details
On a computer connected to the same network, run
ipconfig(Windows) or check network settings (macOS) to read the subnet mask, gateway and DNS. Log in to the router to read the DHCP pool range. - 2
Choose an unused address outside the pool
Ping it first (
ping 192.168.1.210). No reply is a good sign but not proof, because some devices ignore ping, so also check the router's client list. - 3
Open the device's network settings
On a recorder this is usually the local menu under Network (often Network > TCP/IP or Network > General). On a camera, use its web page or the vendor tool: SADP for Hikvision and LTS, ConfigTool for Dahua (and Amcrest's equivalent IP Config tool), or Reolink Client. Exact labels vary by firmware.
- 4
Switch from DHCP to static
Untick DHCP (or set mode to Static), then enter the IP address, subnet mask, default gateway and DNS. Some interfaces call DNS 'Preferred DNS server'.
- 5
Save and reconnect at the new address
The page will stop responding because the address changed. Browse to the new IP, or rescan with the vendor tool, and log back in.
- 6
Check outbound access
Confirm the device's clock is correct (it reached a time server) and the cloud/P2P status shows online. If not, the gateway or DNS is wrong.
- 7
Update anything that pointed at the old address
NVR channel settings, port forwards, VMS entries and monitoring-station configuration all need the new IP.
Common mistakes
- No gateway. The camera works locally but the app says offline and the clock drifts. Add the router's address as gateway.
- Wrong subnet. A camera set to 192.168.0.x on a 192.168.1.x network is unreachable. Connect a laptop directly with a matching address, or use the vendor tool, which can usually change the IP even across subnets.
- Duplicate address. Two devices on one IP cause flapping connections. Check the router client list and keep a written IP plan.
- Static IPs on PoE-port cameras. Cameras on an NVR's built-in PoE ports are normally addressed by the NVR. Leave them on the NVR's automatic settings unless the manufacturer says otherwise.
Common questions
- Is a static IP the same as a static public IP from my ISP?
- No. This article covers the device's internal (LAN) address. A static public IP is a paid ISP service that keeps your internet-facing address fixed. If your public IP changes, use DDNS instead.
- Static IP or DHCP reservation?
- If you control the router, a reservation is usually simpler and avoids conflicts. Use a static IP when there is no router you manage, on isolated camera networks, or when the installer's standard is static.
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