How to Factory Reset Your Swann Security Recorder
This guide will help you factory reset your Swann Security recorder using the method that applies to your model.
A factory reset will:
- Restore the recorder’s settings to default
- Format the hard drive (if done using the reset button)
- Delete its password
but it will NOT:
- Unpair the recorder from your Swann Security account
Important: If your recorder is paired to the Swann Security app and you perform a factory reset, its password will be erased.
DVRs, NVRs, and NVWs, must have a monitor + mouse to complete the Setup Wizard and create a new password; while MaxRanger4K™ units just need its QR code to be scanned to let you set a new password via the app.
Looking to factory reset because you forgot its password? Follow this article instead.
Factory Reset Methods
Enter the model number of your recorder to see how you can factory reset it:
Factory Reset Using a Monitor & Mouse (HDMI/VGA)
Applies to the listed products:
DVR4-4480G, DVR4-4480RN, DVR4-4480V, DVR4-4580G, DVR4-4580RN, DVR4-4580V, DVR4-4680, DVR4-4680RN, DVR4-4685, DVR4-4685RN, DVR4-4780V, DVR4-4980V, DVR4-5580, DVR4-5580G, DVR4-5580RN, DVR4-5680, DVR4-5680RN, DVR8-4480G, DVR8-4480RN, DVR8-4480V, DVR8-4580G, DVR8-4580RN, DVR8-4580V, DVR8-4680, DVR8-4680A, DVR8-4680RN, DVR8-4685, DVR8-4685RN, DVR8-4780V, DVR8-4880RN, DVR8-4980, DVR8-5580, DVR8-5580A, DVR8-5580G, DVR8-5580RN, DVR8-5580RU, DVR8-5680, DVR8-5680A, DVR8-5680RN, DVR8-5680RU, DVR8-5880RU, DVR16-4580G, DVR16-4580RN, DVR16-4580V, DVR16-4680, DVR16-4680A, DVR16-4680RN, DVR16-4680RU, DVR16-4880RU, DVR16-4980, DVR16-5580, DVR16-5580G, DVR16-5580G2, DVR16-5580RU, NVR8-8580, NVR8-8580RN, NVR8-8780, NVR8-8780RN, NVR16-8580, NVR16-8580RN, NVR16-8780, NVR16-8780RN, NVW-650, NVW-800, NVW-MR4K, DVR4-4680XN, DVR4-4680XU, DVR4-4685XU, DVR4-5680XN, DVR8-4680X, DVR8-4680XN, DVR8-4680XU, DVR8-4685XU, DVR8-5680X, DVR8-5680XU, DVR16-4586XU, NVR8-ADVANX, NVR16-ADVANX
These steps can be done if you are using the recorder with a monitor or mouse.
Connect a monitor and USB mouse to your recorder.
Right-click to see the Menu Bar at the bottom, click the first icon then go to
Once you see the Main Menu, go to and click
A prompt will appear to show the settings. Select the settings you want to restore by ticking the checkboxes.
Click to start the reset.
Why this helps? Restoring defaults clears incorrect configuration without affecting your recordings.
What to expect:
- Your recorder may reboot—this is normal.
- You will need to reconfigure any settings you reset.
NOTE: If you can’t access Setup because you forgot the password, follow this password reset guide
Factory Reset Using the Physical Reset Button
These steps are for recorders that have a physical reset button. This is most useful if you want to easily reset EVERYTHING—settings, password, and delete all recordings.
For MaxRanger4K™ Base Station
Applies to the listed products: NVW-MR4KSTN
- Using a paper clip or pin, carefully insert it into the pinhole located at the back of the Base Station.
- Press and hold the reset button for 10 seconds, until you hear a beep.
- Release the button.
- Wait ~2 minutes until you hear a second beep. This confirms the reset is complete.
For MaxRanger4K™ Power Hub
Applies to the listed products: NVW-MR4K
- Connect a monitor via HDMI/VGA port to see what's happening during this process.
- Using a paper clip or pin, carefully insert it into the pinhole located at the back of the recorder.
- Press and hold the reset button until you hear 4 beeps, then release the button
- The recorder will display a Notice screen, and the factory reset will commence in a few seconds.
- After the reboot, the recorder will display the startup Wizard screen. Setup your recorder as if it were a new device.
For Other recorders with a reset button
Applies to the listed products:
DVR4-4480RN, DVR4-4580RN, DVR4-4680RN, DVR4-4685RN, DVR4-5580RN, DVR4-5680RN, DVR8-4480RN, DVR8-4580RN, DVR8-4680RN, DVR8-4685RN, DVR8-4880RN, DVR8-5580RN, DVR8-5680RN, DVR16-4580RN, DVR16-4680RN, NVR8-8580RN, NVR8-8780RN, NVR16-8580RN, NVR16-8780RN, NVW-650, NVW-800
- Connect a monitor via HDMI/VGA port to see what's happening during this process.
- Using a paper clip or pin, carefully insert it into the pinhole located at the back of the recorder.
- Press and hold the reset button until you hear 4 beeps, then release the button
- The recorder will display a Notice screen, and the factory reset will commence in a few seconds.
- After the reboot, the recorder will display the startup Wizard screen. Setup your recorder as if it were a new device.
Why this helps? This method restores all settings to default instantly; no need to enter a password in case you forget.
What to expect: You must re-do the initial setup, including creating a password (unless MaxRanger4K™, which uses QR setup).
Factory Reset via Swann Security for PC/Mac
Applies to the listed products:
DVR4-4480G, DVR4-4480RN, DVR4-4480V, DVR4-4580G, DVR4-4580RN, DVR4-4580V, DVR4-4680, DVR4-4680RN, DVR4-4685, DVR4-4685RN, DVR4-4780V, DVR4-4980V, DVR4-5580, DVR4-5580G, DVR4-5580RN, DVR4-5680, DVR4-5680RN, DVR8-4480G, DVR8-4480RN, DVR8-4480V, DVR8-4580G, DVR8-4580RN, DVR8-4580V, DVR8-4680, DVR8-4680A, DVR8-4680RN, DVR8-4685, DVR8-4685RN, DVR8-4780V, DVR8-4880RN, DVR8-4980, DVR8-5580, DVR8-5580A, DVR8-5580G, DVR8-5580RN, DVR8-5580RU, DVR8-5680, DVR8-5680A, DVR8-5680RN, DVR8-5680RU, DVR8-5880RU, DVR16-4580G, DVR16-4580RN, DVR16-4580V, DVR16-4680, DVR16-4680A, DVR16-4680RN, DVR16-4680RU, DVR16-4880RU, DVR16-4980, DVR16-5580, DVR16-5580G, DVR16-5580G2, DVR16-5580RU, NVR8-8580, NVR8-8580RN, NVR8-8780, NVR8-8780RN, NVR16-8580, NVR16-8580RN, NVR16-8780, NVR16-8780RN, NVW-650, NVW-800, NVW-MR4K
Follow these steps only if you can still stream your recorder using the Swann Security software.
Open the Swann Security on your computer. Go to Homepage then click Device Management
Click the gear icon to open its settings.
Why this helps? Allows remote maintenance without accessing the recorder physically.
NOTE: The interface varies depending on the model. Some may also ask for the recorder's password before proceeding with the reset.
Factory Reset Using the Swann Security Mobile App
Applies to the listed products: NVW-MR4K, NVW-MR4KSTN
Follow these steps only if you can still stream your recorder using the Swann Security app and the option is available in the app.
Open Swann Security app then tap and select your recorder
Go to or
Tap
Tap to select the settings you want to restore, then tap
A prompt will appear to validate your selection, tap to proceed.
Why this helps? A convenient option if the recorder is already linked in your app.
What Happens After a Factory Reset?
- All selected settings return to default.
- All recordings will be deleted if reset using its reset button.
- The recorder stays linked to your Swann Security account.
- Password is removed → You’ll need to finish the Setup Wizard using a monitor + mouse (except MaxRanger4K™)
Don't know the recorder's password? → Follow this article
Summary & Next Steps
You’ve now learned the different ways to factory reset your Swann recorder depending on your model. Choose the method that matches your setup and follow the linear steps to complete the process.
If your recorder still isn’t functioning as expected after the reset, our support team is ready to help.
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