FAQ¶

Cameras¶

The camera is not discovered through ONVIF.

Check its power, address, network reachability and whether ONVIF is enabled. Retrieving profiles may require separate ONVIF credentials. If you know the address, use adding by IP.

Where can I find the RTSP address?

Use the manufacturer's documentation or stream settings in the camera's web interface. The address depends on the model and selected profile. General format: rtsp://LOGIN:PASSWORD@CAMERA_IP:554/PATH.

Can I connect a camera on another subnet?

Yes, if routing exists between the networks and the recorder is allowed to access the required camera ports. Automatic discovery across subnet boundaries may not work; add the device by address.

Can I add cameras later?

Yes. The cloud automatically retrieves the camera list from an accessible, connected NVR. After adding a camera, wait for synchronization and check it in the cloud. To request an update on demand, open the NVR card in Registrators; see the synchronization instructions. Check storage settings separately.

What happens after a camera is deleted on the NVR?

At the next synchronization, the cloud may mark the linked camera as deleted on the recorder. This does not promise immediate deletion of its cloud camera record and all its data. Check the cloud state and the required action separately.

Users and access¶

How do I create an operator account?

Open Users in local Watcher NVR and grant the required permissions. To restrict access to a folder, do not also grant broad access to all cameras in the Organization. Check the result by signing in as the operator.

Local NVR users and cloud users are separate accounts. Creating a local operator does not automatically grant cloud access.

How do I change my password?

Open Profile. If the form contains a current-password field, fill it before saving the new password. If you have forgotten the password, use the configured recovery procedure or contact the administrator.

Live video is available, but the archive is not.

Check DVR viewing permission, recordings for the selected interval, local retention and disk status. When viewing from the cloud, also check the NVR connection and cloud storage settings. An event thumbnail does not confirm that a video recording exists.

Cloud pairing¶

The QR code does not appear, or connection fails.

1. Check the recorder's Internet and cloud server access.
2. Refresh the code on the recorder screen.
3. In the cloud, check the required Organization and permission to manage its recorders.
4. Check that the mobile app is connected to the required cloud. If scanning is unavailable, use code entry in the web interface.

The NVR has not appeared after entering the code.

Wait for the connection result and refresh the recorders list. If its state does not change, check for network errors on the NVR and in the cloud. Do not reinstall or create several records for the same device because a background check is delayed.

The cloud shows a different version from the NVR.

On the recorder page, check the installed version, available update and operation status.

Restoring operation¶

First save information about the problem and check the components:

cd /opt/watcher-nvr
sudo docker compose ps

If post-install-check.sh is available, run:

sudo bash /opt/watcher-nvr/post-install-check.sh

Correct the specific error: an occupied port, unavailable image, missing disk or network connection. If the NVR starts but an update failed, check the operation result and whether rollback is available in the interface before reinstalling.

Full cleanup is used only for a deliberate reinstallation. The purge.sh script stops containers, deletes data at configured paths and resets part of the connection configuration. Before running it, save the required archive, database and settings, check data paths and arrange pairing again. Cleanup is not a routine way to correct a camera or password error.

For a new installation, obtain a command from the cloud wizard. Do not run the initial installation command over a working recorder to update it.

When contacting support, provide the NVR and cloud versions, error time and check results without passwords, tokens or .env contents.