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How to Reset Axis Camera Password: Restoring Factory Default Settings

  • Writer: Administrator A
    Administrator A
  • Jul 15
  • 6 min read

Few things in the physical security world are more frustrating than sitting in front of an IP camera's login screen, typing in every possible administrative credential you can think of, only to be met with an "invalid username or password" error. If you are a local business owner in Northeast Ohio or a homeowner trying to manage your own surveillance system, a locked-out camera can make you feel like your entire security infrastructure is compromised.

Fortunately, there is a straightforward solution. Learning how to reset Axis camera password options by restoring your device to its factory default settings is one of the most vital troubleshooting skills you can acquire. In this comprehensive 2026 guide, our expert team at Cleveland Security Cameras will walk you through both the physical hardware reset and the software-based restoration methods. We will also dive into the network configurations and security steps you must take immediately after the reset to keep your premises secure.

Why Restoring Factory Default Settings is Sometimes Your Only Choice

Unlike entry-level consumer cameras that might have a simple "password reset email" link, professional, enterprise-grade CCTV equipment from Axis Communications is designed with rigorous cybersecurity standards in mind.

For security reasons, there is no digital "backdoor" or master override password to bypass a lost administrator account. If the password for the primary administrator account (historically designated as the root user) is lost, a complete factory default reset is your only pathway to regain access to the device.  

Aside from being locked out, here are several scenarios where we recommend performing a factory reset:

  • System Handover: You have recently purchased a commercial property or home in Cleveland, and the previous owner did not pass down the security camera login credentials.

  • Firmware and Network Glues: You are experiencing severe network lag, camera offline drops, or IP conflicts that basic troubleshooting cannot resolve.

  • Redeployment: You are relocating a camera from one section of your business to another and want a clean slate without carrying over old VLAN rules, static IPs, or motion detection zones.

Method 1: The Hard Hardware Reset (Using the Control Button)

When you are completely locked out of the camera's web portal, the physical hardware reset is the gold standard. This process completely erases all customized configurations—including IP addresses, custom user profiles, cybersecurity certificates, and event rules—bringing the camera back to its original "out of the box" state.  

Before climbing up the ladder, keep in mind that you will need direct physical access to the camera body.  


1.Power Down the Camera:Disconnect Power.

Unplug the RJ45 network cable if the camera is powered via Power over Ethernet (PoE). If it uses a dedicated 12V DC or 24V AC power adapter, disconnect that instead.

2.Find the Control Button:Locate the Button.

Search the camera housing for a button labeled CONTROL, Ctrl, or occasionally I/O. On dome cameras, you may need to unscrew the outer plastic or metal weather shield to find it near the microSD card slot. On bullet cameras, it is often tucked behind a small sealed hatch.

3.Engage the Button While Powering Up:Press and Hold.

Using your finger or a small non-metallic tool (like a plastic stylus or a toothpick if the button is recessed), press and hold down the Control button. Do not let go. While holding the button, plug the PoE network cable or power cable back in.

4.Monitor the Status LED:15 to 30 Seconds.

Keep the Control button firmly pressed. Watch the camera's status LED indicator. It will light up amber/yellow first. Keep holding until the LED begins to flash amber or rapidly flash green/amber. This usually takes about 15 seconds.

5.Release the Button and Reboot:Complete the Cycle.

Once the flashing starts, release the Control button. The camera will automatically run through its internal reboot sequence. When the status LED turns steady green, the factory reset is complete and the camera is ready to be reconfigured.


Method 2: The Soft Software Reset (Via Web Browser)

If you actually do have the administrator password but simply want to clean out the camera's settings, or if you have partial access through a client application and want to perform a remote refresh, you do not need to climb a ladder. You can restore factory defaults directly through the web interface.  

  1. Open your web browser and type the camera's IP address into the URL bar.  

  2. Log in using your existing admin or root credentials.

  3. Navigate to Settings (or System Options on older firmware interfaces).  

  4. Go to System > Maintenance.  

  5. Under the Maintenance section, you will see a few restore options:  

    • Restore: Resets most parameters but keeps critical network configurations (such as your static IP address) active so you don't lose connection over the LAN.

    • Default: This is a complete factory reset. It will erase everything, including network configurations, and revert the device to its uninitialized state.  

  6. Click Default (or Factory Default) and confirm. The camera will reboot, cycle its power internally, and disconnect your browser session.  

Re-establishing Connection: How to Find Your Camera Post-Reset

Once a reset occurs, your old configurations are gone. If the camera was previously configured with a static IP address (like 192.168.1.150), it will no longer live at that address.  

Here is how to locate it on your local network:

Utilizing DHCP

By default, a freshly reset Axis camera will attempt to request an dynamic IP address from your network's DHCP server (which is typically handled by your router). To find out what IP address your router assigned to the camera, use the free AXIS IP Utility or AXIS Device Manager tool. This software will scan your entire subnet and display any connected Axis devices alongside their MAC addresses and current IPs.  

The Fallback IP Address

If you are connecting your camera directly to a computer or testing switch without a DHCP router on the network, the camera will automatically fall back to its default static IP address: 192.168.0.90.  

To connect to it in this state:

  1. Temporarily change your computer's network adapter settings to a static IP in the same subnet (e.g., set your computer to IP 192.168.0.10 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0).

  2. Open your web browser and navigate to 192.168.0.90.  

Axis Default Credentials & Modern Cybersecurity Standards

Unlike legacy systems or cheaper consumer alternatives that ship with weak, preset passwords like "admin" or "12345", modern Axis cameras manufactured with firmware 6.50 or higher do not have a default password.

The first time you access the web interface of a newly reset Axis camera, you will be prompted to set a secure password for the master administrative account, which is permanently named root.  

Username: root
Password: [You must create a strong password upon first login]

Pro-Tips for Password Security in 2026:

  • Avoid Simplicity: The camera interface will flag weak passwords. Use a minimum of 8 characters incorporating numbers, symbols, and uppercase letters.  

  • Isolate Initial Settings: Axis devices send the first password in clear text over the local network. Once you have created your initial password, immediately enable HTTPS encryption (SSL/TLS certificates) through the camera’s settings before transferring sensitive security footage.  

When to Call in Cleveland's CCTV Troubleshooting Professionals

While a password reset sounds easy on paper, real-world deployment frequently throws curveballs. Our local technicians in Cleveland often get calls from homeowners and retail managers when things go sideways:

  • Inaccessible Cameras: Many commercial cameras are mounted high up on warehouse rafters, high-exposure commercial facades, or light poles. Safely accessing these units requires industrial ladders, scissor lifts, and proper safety harnesses.

  • Complex Network Architectures: If your security network is partitioned using multiple VLANs or runs on a managed enterprise network, simply resetting a camera could cause it to disappear entirely from your Network Video Recorder (NVR) or Video Management Software (VMS).

  • Physical Damage Risks: Axis cameras are precision instruments. Accidentally touching internal circuit boards, pulling delicate ribbon cables, or scraping the lens while searching for the reset button can ruin expensive equipment.

  • Compliance Issues: If your system includes older non-compliant cameras (such as blacklisted Hikvision or Dahua units), a password lockout is often the perfect time to upgrade. Replacing old units with NDAA-compliant Axis models ensures your facility is fully certified and secure.

Need Expert Help with Your Security Cameras in Cleveland?

Whether you’re locked out of your system, need a professional installation, want to upgrade to NDAA-compliant cameras, or require remote troubleshooting support — the team at Cleveland Security Cameras is here to help.

Our local experts can:

  • Install new security camera systems

  • Reset and recover access to existing cameras and NVRs

  • Upgrade or replace restricted/outdated equipment

  • Provide remote support and ongoing maintenance

Call us today at 2163338245

We proudly serve homeowners and businesses across Cleveland and Northeast Ohio with reliable, professional security solutions.

Related Follow-Up Guides

  • How to Secure Your CCTV Network: Hardening IP Cameras Against Hackers

  • Understanding NDAA Compliance: Why Cleveland Businesses Are Upgrading in 2026

  • An Installer's Guide to Choosing Between Axis, Hikvision, and Hanwha Vision

  • The Ultimate Guide to Network Video Recorder (NVR) Setup & Configuration


 
 
 

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