How to Recover or Reset a Forgotten VIGI Camera Password

Troubleshooting
Last updated: September 17, 2026

Contents

Introduction

Requirements

Before Starting Password Recovery

Method 1: Recover the Password Using E-mail Verification

Scenario 1: The Camera has Internet Access

Scenario 2: The Camera does not have Internet Access

Method 2: Recover the Password Using Security Questions

Method 3: Recover the Password Using QR Code Verification

Method 4: Recover the Password Through Technical Support

Method 5: Reset the Camera to Factory Defaults

Configure Password Recovery Options for Future Use

Conclusion

QA

Introduction

Forgetting the administrator password does not necessarily require a factory reset. VIGI Cameras provide multiple password recovery methods, including E-mail Verification, Security Question Verification, QR Code Verification, and Technical Support assistance. The available recovery options depend on the password recovery settings configured before the password was lost.

This article explains how to recover or reset a forgotten VIGI Camera password through the Camera Web Interface, VIGI App, VIGI PC Client, VIGI VMS, or VIGI NVR.

Requirements

Devices

  • VIGI Camera

Supported management platforms

  • Camera Web Interface
  • VIGI App
  • VIGI PC Client
  • VIGI VMS
  • VIGI NVR

Before Starting Password Recovery

E-mail Verification and Security Question Verification are available only if these recovery options were configured before the password was forgotten.

If neither option was configured, use QR Code Verification or contact Technical Support for assistance.

Password recovery follows a similar workflow across all supported management platforms. The examples in this article use the Camera Web Interface.

To begin password recovery:

  • Access the camera login page.
  • Click Forgot Password.
  • Select an available verification method

Camera Web interface showing login page with Forgot password button under the account and password blank.

Method 1: Recover the Password Using E-mail Verification

E-mail Verification allows the camera administrator password to be reset through a recovery e-mail address configured previously for the device.

Scenario 1: The Camera has Internet Access

Step 1. Select E-mail Verification.

Step 2. Click Send Code to send a verification code to the configured recovery e-mail address.

Step 3. Enter the verification code and click Next.

Step 4. Create a new administrator password.

Forgot password verification page with Email method selected showing a Send Code button.

Scenario 2: The Camera does not have Internet Access

Step 1. Select E-mail Verification. A QR Code will be displayed.

Forgot password verification page with Email method selected showing a QR code. Scan this QR code with VIGI App to receive a verification Email.

Step 2. Install and open the VIGI App. Sign in to the account and tap + > Scan/Add Device. Scan the QR code displayed on the camera recovery page.

Step 3. A verification code will be sent to the configured recovery e-mail address.

Step 4. Enter the verification code and create a new password.

Using VIGI APP to scan the Email Verification QR code and a email will be sent to the recovery email address.

Method 2: Recover the Password Using Security Questions

Security Question Verification allows password recovery using security questions configured during device setup.

Step 1. Select Security Question Verification.

Step 2. Answer all three security questions correctly.

Step 3. Click Next.

Step 4. Create a new administrator password.

Forgot Password page with Security Questions verification selected, displaying three security questions that must be answered before the password can be reset.

Note: This method is available only if security questions were configured before the password was forgotten.

Method 3: Recover the Password Using QR Code Verification

Step 1. Select QR Code Verification.

Step 2. Sign in to the VIGI App using the same TP-Link ID that is bound to the camera.

Step 3. Scan the QR code displayed on the recovery page.

Step 4. Obtain the verification code and complete the password reset process.

Forgot password verification page with QR Code method selected showing recovery QR code and note.

Note: The QR code is valid for five minutes only.

Note: If the camera is not bound to a TP-Link ID or the account used in the VIGI App differs from the bound account, this recovery method cannot be used.

Method 4: Recover the Password Through Technical Support

If none of the self-service recovery methods are available, contact Technical Support.

Step 1. Select Technical Support from the recovery options.

Step 2. Generate the support QR code.

Step 3. Contact VIGI Technical Support, preferably through VIGI Live Chat Support for faster assistance.

Step 4. Provide the QR code to the support engineer for assistance

Note: The support QR code expires after five minutes.

Method 5: Reset the Camera to Factory Defaults

Factory reset should be used only as a last resort when all recovery methods are unavailable.

Before resetting

  • All settings and configurations will be erased.
  • The camera must be configured again after the reset.
  • Some camera models may not include a physical reset button.

Step 1. Locate the reset button on the camera. The button is typically located near the microSD card slot.

Step 2. Press and hold the reset button until the camera reboots.

Step 3. Wait for the factory reset process to complete.

Step 4. Perform the initial device setup and create a new administrator password.

Showing reset button next to the microSD card slot on the camera.

Configure Password Recovery Options for Future Use

To simplify future password recovery, configure both recovery methods after regaining access to the device.

During initial setup

Configure:

  • Recovery E-mail
  • Security Questions

Camera Initialization page showing password reset configurations, including Recovery Email and Security Questions.

After device activation

Navigate to:

Settings > System Settings > User Management > Password Protection

Configure:

  • Recovery E-mail
  • Security Questions

Showing Account security page, including Recovery Email and Security Questions.

Conclusion

A forgotten VIGI Camera password can be recovered through E-mail Verification, Security Question Verification, QR Code Verification, or Technical Support assistance. Factory reset should be considered only when no recovery options are available. To ensure quick password recovery in the future, keep the Recovery E-mail and Security Questions configured and up to date.

To learn more about each function and configuration, please visit Support Home to download or check the manual for your product.

QA

Q1: Which password recovery method should be used first?

A1: Use an available recovery method in the following order:

  • E-mail Verification
  • Security Question Verification
  • QR Code Verification
  • Technical Support
  • Factory Reset

Q2: What is the Recovery E-mail?

A2: The Recovery E-mail is the e-mail address configured for password recovery during device setup. It is used to receive password reset verification codes.

Q3: What if a Recovery E-mail was never configured?

A3: E-mail Verification cannot be used. Use Security Question Verification, QR Code Verification, or Technical Support instead.

Q4: What if security questions were never configured?

A4: Security Question Verification is unavailable. Use another password recovery method.

Q5: What should be done if the verification code is not received?

A5:

  • Check the Spam or Junk folder.
  • Add noreply@tp-link.com to the safe sender list.
  • Verify that no mail filtering rules are blocking TP-Link messages.
  • Request a new verification code.

Q6: Can the password be recovered if the camera is offline?

A6: Yes. If a recovery e-mail address was configured previously, E-mail Verification can still be completed by scanning the recovery QR code with the VIGI App.

Q7: Will a factory reset delete camera settings?

A7: Yes. A factory reset removes all existing configurations and restores the camera to its factory default state.

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