In this article I explain how to reset the Amcrest DVR If you lost the password and don't know how to login as administrator.
It's a simple process, you can execute the Amcrest 960h DVR factory reset in only a few minutes to restore the password.
This reset procedure works for the Amcrest 960H DVR and takes it to the manufacturer default settings, so you can use the original password.
Amcrest 960H DVR password reset
Just open your Amcrest DVR and look for a reset button located close to the processor heat sink (see the picture below for details).
To reset the Amcrest DVR just follow the steps:
- Turn ON the DVR;
- Press and hold this button until you hear a "beep" sound;
- Wait until a Setup Wizard shows up on the screen;
- Create a new password for the DVR's admin account;
- Follow the Setup Wizard to finish the initial setup.
After following these steps, your Amcrest DVR will be ready to work again.
Are the data (videos) erased after the reset?
According to the manufacturer, all data stored in the DVR are wiped out during the reset process. however, some users have reported that the data is still there after resetting the DVR. So there's a chance to still keep the data.
Does this process work for any Amcrest DVR?
No. This reset procedure is for the Amcrest 960H DVR that is designed to work with the traditional analog cameras (see the DVR's picture below).
This reset procedure does NOT work with the Amcrest DVRs that use the HDCVI cameras (high-resolution analog cameras).
Troubleshooting after the reset process
Sometimes, you can face some problems after resetting a DVR.
If that's your case, take a look at the troubleshooting tips below:
The screen is blank after the Amcrest DVR reset
If you see a blank screen or the "No Signal" message on the monitor after resetting your Amcrest DVR that could indicate a problem related to the cable connection or incorrect resolution setup.
After resetting the DVR to factory default, the resolution can come back to VGA and perhaps your monitor is not compatible with this low resolution.
Follow the steps to solve the problem:
- Check the cable connection between the DVR and the monitor to make sure everything is OK.
- Make sure you are using the correct input on your monitor, use the remote control to select the source.
- Change the resolution in the monitor to VGA or SVGA to match the DVR's factory default resolution.
After these steps, you will be able to see a video signal from the DVR and then change the DVR resolution to a higher resolution to match your monitor.
Instead of using the HDMI output, you can connect the VGA (see picture).
If these steps don't work, use an old VGA monitor for the initial setup.
The HDD is not formatted after the reset
If you want to wipe out all the information in the HDD (Hard Disc Drive), just use the DVR menu, go to the storage settings to format the disc.
Make sure you want to do this since all the data (videos) will be erased and you won't have access to them anymore.
Extra information
You can find more information about the Amcrest DVRs and products on the official website: https://amcrest.com and the YouTube channel.
Amcrest DVR manual and quick guides:
The best Hard Drive for your Amcrest DVR
It's very important to use the correct hard drive for your DVR so you won't lose any data (video) due to recording failures.
There are special hard drives that are designed to work with recorders such as DVRs and NVRs, I highly recommend you to read the following article:
How to connect a PTZ camera to your Amcrest DVR
If you look at the back part of the Amcrest DVR you can see a small green connector than can be used to control a PTZ (Pan, Tilt, Camera).
Just in case you need to install such a camera in your property, just read the following article to understand how the setup is done.