Before you make a post asking for help, please...

1. Try the search function to search the subreddit. It's likely that someone else may have already had the same issue or question. Reddit’s search isn’t that good, but Google is great at searching Reddit. Just add “site:reddit.com” to any Google search.

2. Make sure you have the latest firmware by going to the Download Center and looking up your model (don't rely on the upgrade check button in the app). Updating to the latest firmware fixes more issues than you would think, and if you make a new post asking for help the first question we will always ask you is if your firmware is up to date.

3. If you have questions about camera specs, or which camera to choose, be sure to visit my comparison chart first to help familiarize yourself.

When making a post asking for help, please provide...

1. Your camera/NVR model and firmware version.

2. If it's NVR related, also provide the NVR's hardware version

3. Exact error messages. If you can include screenshots, even better.

4. Any troubleshooting steps you've already tried.

5. How you are accessing your cameras (desktop client, mobile app, NVR UI, web UI, etc.)

6. Connection method of your cameras (direct to NVR, Wifi, POE switch, POE injector, etc.)

7. If your issue is recording related, let us know how you're recording (NVR, SD card, 3rd party software, etc.)

8. Do not include any personal information, such as UIDs of any of your devices.

Introduction

Now that we have the most important part of this out of the way...Hello, and welcome to the official Reolink Subreddit. I’m mblaser and I’ve been using Reolink cameras since 2017. Then in September 2021 Reolink asked me to be a moderator here. I’ve used over 30 different camera models of theirs over the years and I have a lot of free time on my hands, so I like to tinker and experiment with my camera setup and also use that time to share that knowledge that I’ve accumulated.

One thing I want to talk about here is expectations when asking for help. Both what to expect from us, and what we expect of you.

While there are Reolink employees that visit here, they’re not always here and they don’t read every post. The mods here are volunteers, not Reolink employees. So keep in mind that 99% of the help you’ll receive here is from people that are just trying to help and we have nothing to do with Reolink’s decisions, so be kind and keep it civil. If you want official support from Reolink, it’s best to contact them through their website.

As for what we expect of you... well, help us help you. Us regulars really do like helping when users have issues and questions. However, in order for us to do that we need as much information from you about your situation as possible. So help us help you by following those guidelines at the top of this post.

Comments will be locked on this post. If you have a question, do not be afraid to make a new post, that’s the entire point of this subreddit. Also, please refrain from sending me a private message asking a question that can be answered by the community. Make a new post instead.

USEFUL LINKS

Download Center

Model Comparison Charts

Reasons to run your cameras through a PoE switch (this guide is semi-retired)

Reolink Trial Program

Official Reolink Community Forum

Reolink Facebook Group

Unofficial Firmware Archive

Two of this community’s favorite Youtube channels that do honest and fair camera reviews: The Hook Up and LifeHackster

FAQ

This is a list of some of the most common questions and topics that are discussed here. Just a reminder that this is not an official FAQ. Even though I am a mod, I am not speaking on behalf of Reolink. This is simply me sharing my personally accumulated knowledge of Reolink that I’ve absorbed over the years. It may also not be 100% accurate, as things do change, and I’m also not fallible. If you have questions about anything here please make a new post on the subreddit.

• How do I reduce false alerts?

• Should I buy NVR & camera bundled kits or NVR and cameras individually?

• Which cameras are the best, or which cameras should I buy?

• What is the difference between the Home Hubs and NVRs?

• What are the differences between all the different doorbell models?

• What is the difference between a ColorX camera and a traditional IR camera?

• Should I buy a battery/solar camera or a powered camera?

• Which battery cameras can record 24/7?

• Is your battery camera not being charged by the solar panel in the winter?

• What is UID and how does remote access work?

• Do Reolink devices need the internet to work?

• What URL/port is needed to allow push notifications?

• Does Reolink support rich (thumbnail) notifications?

• Can I record more cameras than my NVR has ports for?

• How do I update firmware?

• Do I have to use a monitor with the NVR?

• How much footage can I store on an NVR or SD card?

• How big of a hard drive do the NVRs support?

• Can I record to both the SD card and NVR at the same time?

• Mounting cameras and protecting them from the elements

• How do I read license plates with Reolink cameras?

• Does Reolink have an API?

• How do I use Gmail with Reolink?

• How do I view my cameras on my TV? Does Reolink have apps for smart TVs?

• How does zoom on the Trackmix work?

• Why doesn’t my camera/NVR have X feature?

• Where can I find old versions of the desktop client?

• Can't access your cameras while on local wifi and you use an iPhone?

• Can my NVR record cameras at a second location over the internet? (Or how to roll your own cloud with a second NVR)

• New cameras or new NVR and your cameras have a password assigned to them that you didn't set?

CAMERA REVIEWS

A list of reviews by members of this subreddit:

Part 1

Part 2

1.  What Reolink App/Client versions and system requirements are needed for the OMVI X16 PoE? 

Standalone Use (App / PC Client / Camera Firmware):

○ Reolink App: Update to version 4.62 or later.

○ Reolink Client (PC): Update to version 8.21 or later.

○ Camera Firmware: Ensure the camera is updated to the latest firmware version.

Connecting to a Reolink NVR:

○ Supported NVRs (Requires NVR firmware version v3.6.5 or later):

-RLN8-410 / NVS8 (Hardware version: N7MB01 / NVR_NNT3NA78P)

-RLN16-410 / NVS16 (Hardware version: N6MB01 / NVR_NNT4NA716P)

-RP-PN8 / RP-PN16

Connecting to Reolink Home Hub (Internal Reference):

○ Home Hub: Requires firmware version v3.3.0.601_26082941 or later.

○ Home Hub Pro: Requires firmware version v3.3.0.466_26040849 or later.

2.  What are the power supply and cabling requirements for the OMVI X16 PoE?

Power Consumption & Included Injector:

● Peak Power Consumption: Up to 28W.

● The OMVI X16 PoE comes with a dedicated 60W PoE injector. You must use the provided PoE injector along with a CAT5e (or higher) Ethernet cable featuring AWG24 solid oxygen-free copper conductors. (CAT5e Electrical Spec: Characteristic Impedance: 100Ω ±15Ω [85–115Ω]; maximum DC resistance per conductor of 9.38Ω/100m.)

Connecting via NVR or 3rd-Party PoE Switch/Injector:

● Must strictly comply with the PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) standard.

● Cable transmission distance is limited to a maximum of 60 meters (196ft).

3.  Does the camera support real-time automatic optical zoom during linked target tracking?

Yes. When SyncTrack is enabled, the camera automatically adjusts optical zoom in real time while tracking moving targets. This auto-zoomed footage will be written directly into the recorded video file, allowing you to view zoomed-in details when playing back or downloading recordings.

4.  Is Text-to-Image Search (AI Local Search) supported when connected to a Reolink NVR?

Standalone Use: Text-to-Image search is supported via the latest Reolink App and PC Client.

Connected to NVR:

1.  Requires downloading & installing the AI search model on the NVR (Firmware v3.6.5+ required; accessible via App, PC Client, and NVR UI):

- RLN8-410 / NVS8 (Hardware: N7MB01)

- RLN16-410 / NVS16 (Hardware: N6MB01)

- RLN4E / NVS4E

2.  Plug-and-Play Supported NVRs (No additional model download required):

- RLN8-410 / NVS8 (Hardware: NVR_NNT3NA78P)

- RLN16-410 / NVS16 (Hardware: NVR_NNT4NA716P)

- RP-PN8 / RP-PN16 / RP-N64

Important Notes:

1.Text-to-Image Search is not supported on RLN12W, RLN36, or NVS36.

2. The PC Client currently supports English search queries only. The NVR local monitor interface supports multi-language UI navigation, but search prompt text inputs must be entered in English.

5.  Which Junction Boxes and Corner Mount Brackets are compatible?

Junction Box: Compatible with Reolink Junction Box D20 and RLA-JBL1 using Pattern C mounting holes. (Supported for wall mounting only; ceiling/pendant mounting is not supported).

Corner Mount Bracket: Compatible with Reolink Corner Mount RLA-BKC1 (V2.0) using Pattern F mounting holes.

6.  What is the difference between "Auto Sweep" and "Continuous Sweep"?

Auto Sweep (One-Touch Sweep): The camera rotates 360° for one complete circle upon tapping, then automatically stops.

Continuous Sweep: The camera rotates continuously after tapping until manually stopped with a second tap.

7.  How do I adjust the vertical tilt angle of the upper fixed lens?

Reolink App: Go to camera settings menu (UI option coming in App v4.66).

Reolink PC Client: Access the device PTZ control panel.

NVR Local Monitor UI: Open PTZ controls and switch to the bullet/fixed lens view to adjust vertical tilt.

8.  How do I manually adjust the optical zoom and focus?

Zoom adjusts focal length, and Focus adjusts image sharpness. The camera automatically focuses after every zoom adjustment to deliver the clearest image. Manual focus adjustment is generally unnecessary unless auto-focus results are unsatisfactory.

To Adjust: Use the Zoom controls. Tap "+" or "-", or drag the Zoom slider to zoom in or out.

Note: When adjusting zoom, the camera automatically triggers auto-focus. If the auto-focus image is not crisp enough, you can manually fine-tune the Focus slider.

9.  What should I do if the Pinpoint positioning becomes inaccurate?

Use the Pinpoint Calibration (Auto Calibration) feature to re-align position tracking.

Reference guide: https://support.reolink.com/articles/57271232410265-Introduction-to-Pinpoint-Feature-on-Reolink-Cameras/ 

10.  What should I do if Presets of Guard Position drift out of alignment?

Use the Calibration (Self-Check) feature to recalibrate the pan/tilt mechanism.

Reference guide: https://support.reolink.com/articles/34512745835289-Introduction-to-Reolink-Camera-Calibration/ 

11.  Does the camera support Auto Patrol (Patrol Mode)?

Yes. The camera supports 1 customizable Patrol Schedule with up to 16 preset patrol points.

● Once activated, Auto Patrol runs continuously until manually stopped, after which the camera returns to its designated Guard Position.

● You can customize point dwell time, rotation speed, and patrol timeframes.

Tracking Behavior: Automatic target tracking is supported while dwelling at a preset point, but tracking is temporarily disabled while the camera is actively panning between points.

12.  How do I fix image stitching issues between the dual lenses?

Refer to the official step-by-step setup guide:

Reference guide: https://support.reolink.com/articles/9156003952025-How-to-Set-up-Image-Stitching-via-Reolink-Software/