Troubleshooting Guide

Wrong Username or Password — Fix RTSP Auth

Getting a 401 Unauthorized error or "authentication failed" message? This guide explains default credentials for every major camera brand and how to reset them when all else fails.

Important: Tapo and Eufy cameras use a separate RTSP password — not your cloud app password. See the brand notes below.

Why Authentication Fails

Authentication errors are the second most common cause of RTSP connection failures. They usually come down to one of these situations:

Wrong Username

Many users try "root" or their cloud account email. The correct RTSP username is almost always admin.

Cloud vs. Camera Password

For Tapo and Eufy, the RTSP password differs from the mobile app login password — it's set separately in the app.

Changed Credentials

Someone updated the camera password and the stored RTSP URL is now stale. Log in via web UI to confirm.

Default Credentials by Brand

These are factory defaults. If you (or someone else) changed the password during setup, you will need to reset it. RTSP credentials are always case-sensitive.

Brand Default Username Default Password Notes
Hikvision admin blank or set on first login Must create password on first login
Reolink admin blank Leave password field empty
Dahua admin admin or blank Newer firmware requires password setup
Amcrest admin admin Change immediately after setup
TP-Link Tapo Set in Tapo app 8-digit numeric (set in app) Separate RTSP credentials, not cloud login
Eufy Set in Eufy app Set in Eufy Security app Separate RTSP credentials, not cloud login
Foscam admin blank Leave password field empty
Axis root Set during installation No default password; set on first login
Bosch service Set on installation Check camera label for service account

Special Cases: Tapo and Eufy

TP-Link Tapo Cameras

Tapo cameras require you to enable RTSP streaming in the Tapo app before a stream URL is available. The RTSP credentials are not the same as your TP-Link cloud account login.

  1. 1. Open the Tapo app → select your camera
  2. 2. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Camera Account
  3. 3. The username shown there is your RTSP username; set a new password here
  4. 4. The password is typically an 8-digit number you create

Eufy Security Cameras

Eufy cameras require RTSP to be explicitly enabled in the Eufy Security app. The RTSP credentials are different from your Eufy account email and password.

  1. 1. Open the Eufy Security app → tap your camera
  2. 2. Go to Settings → RTSP Service
  3. 3. Enable RTSP and note the username and password displayed
  4. 4. Use these credentials (not your Eufy email/password) in SmartRTSP

Troubleshooting Steps

1

Try username "admin"

Over 90% of IP cameras use admin as the default username. This applies to Hikvision, Reolink, Dahua, Amcrest, and Foscam. Do not use your email address or cloud app username.

2

Check the camera label

Many cameras have a sticker on the bottom or back with default credentials printed on it. This is especially common on Amcrest, Foscam, and Bosch cameras. Check both the camera body and the original packaging.

3

Try leaving the password blank

Reolink and Foscam cameras often have no password by default. In SmartRTSP, leave the password field empty. In a manual RTSP URL, use the format rtsp://admin:@192.168.1.x:554/... (note the colon with nothing after it).

4

Log into camera web UI to verify or change password

Open a browser on the same network, navigate to http://<camera-IP>, and log in. Go to User Management or Security Settings to confirm or update the admin password. This is the definitive way to verify your credentials.

5

Factory reset the camera

If you have exhausted all options and cannot log in, a factory reset is necessary. Locate the reset button (usually a small recessed button — check your camera manual for location). Hold it for 10–30 seconds until the camera restarts. Warning: This erases all settings including recording schedules, motion zones, and network configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the RTSP password the same as my app password?
It depends on the brand. For Hikvision, Reolink, Dahua, Amcrest, Foscam, Axis, and Bosch, the RTSP password is the same as the camera admin password. For TP-Link Tapo and Eufy, the RTSP password is a separate credential you must configure inside the respective smartphone app.
How do I change the RTSP password on my camera?
Log into the camera's web interface, navigate to User Management or Account Settings, and update the admin password. For Tapo cameras, open the Tapo app → camera settings → Camera Account to set a new RTSP-specific password.
What if I forgot the admin password?
If you have forgotten the admin password and cannot log into the camera, a factory reset is required. Most cameras have a physical reset button — hold it for 10–30 seconds. After resetting, you will need to reconfigure the camera from scratch. Some Hikvision cameras allow password recovery via the SADP tool using a security code from their official website.
My Hikvision camera says "illegal login attempt" — what should I do?
Hikvision cameras have lockout protection. After several failed login attempts, the camera blocks the connecting IP address for 30 minutes. Stop all connection attempts, wait 30 minutes, then try again carefully with the correct credentials. Do not keep retrying — each failed attempt resets the lockout timer.