I tried to upgrade the firmware on my Hikvision NVR and DVR, but it failed. An error message appears: “Upgrade failed. Firmware mismatches.” What should I do? Actually, you don’t need to update the firmware if all the DVR’s functions are still working normally. It’s very rare for a Hikvision DVR to malfunction. Generally, the most common issue with DVRs is that they fail to record. As a technician, I rarely perform firmware updates myself, unless a specific function on the DVR isn’t working or the DVR prompts me to update the firmware.
I’ve also had a firmware update fail before; in this post, I’ll explain what you can do if you encounter a failure during a Hikvision DVR firmware update.
What Is Hikvision Firmware? Is Firmware the Same as an Operating System?
In short, as I understand it, firmware is software designed for specific hardware.
Thus, Hikvision NVR and DVR firmware is software designed specifically for and usable only by hardware. Each Hikvision NVR and DVR has a different model, and the firmware used for each DVR model is, of course, different as well. For example, the firmware for a 4-camera DVR cannot be used with an 8-camera Hikvision DVR.
The firmware will provide functions and features on the DVR, such as live view, playback, and settings.
Unlike operating systems, users cannot install additional functions on firmware. Therefore, users can only use the features and functions provided by the firmware. For example, if you want to add a license plate recognition feature to a DVR, you won’t be able to—unless you know how to develop firmware.
I Tried to Upgrade the Hikvision DVR Firmware, but It Failed—Here’s the Solution
At that time, I had a Hikvision DVR, model iDS-7204HQHI-M1/E.
This includes Hikvision DVRs in the Value Series category. For your information, Hikvision divides its DVR products into several categories: the Pro Series, Ultra Series, Value Series, and Special Series.
I performed this firmware update solely to expand my knowledge. I have never updated the firmware on Hikvision DVRs and NVRs myself unless the system directly notifies me that the device’s firmware needs to be updated. Moreover, if the update fails, it could cause the device to malfunction, such as getting stuck on the logo screen.
First Attempt to Update the Firmware on the Hikvision iDS-7208HQHI-M1/E DVR
After several attempts, I still haven’t been able to update the firmware on the iDS-iDS-7204HQHI-M1/E DVR. Even though I downloaded the firmware directly from the product details page.
You can see for yourself in the image above, which shows the page where I downloaded the firmware.
The latest firmware for this DVR was updated in 2025, right when this DVR model was launched. Meanwhile, as I write this article in 2026, there have been almost no firmware updates—not even from Hikvision itself. This suggests that the firmware doesn’t need to be updated, right?
Downloading Firmware from Hik-Partner Pro
For the second test, I downloaded the firmware from the Hik-Partner Pro app.
Many people don’t realize that, in addition to the product details page, users can also download firmware for Hikvision devices—such as NVR, DVR, and IP cameras—from the Hik-Partner Pro app. I personally always use Hik-Partner Pro to download firmware rather than downloading it from the Hikvision website.
After the firmware was downloaded, I tried the upgrade process again, and it turned out to be successful.
How to Download Hikvision DVR Firmware From the Hik-Partner Pro App?
On the official website, firmware files may be listed for all models. So it’s unclear whether that firmware is compatible with and will work on your DVR,
In the Hik-Partner Pro app, firmware can be searched for by serial number.
Therefore, the firmware file available for download will match your DVR’s serial number at that time. For those of you who already have the Hik-Partner Pro app and want to download the firmware file, here are the steps.
Open the Hik-Partner Pro app.
Select the Toolkit > Firmware Update Search.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to use the barcode scanning feature on the DVR to find the firmware file.
Once the firmware has been found, tap the “Share Download Link” button.
Paste the download link into the notes app on your phone. If you open it directly in Chrome, only the tutorial video will appear. All you need is the firmware download link located below the firmware name. See the image below for an example.
Copy the link into your web browser on your laptop or PC.
The download will begin shortly. Please wait until the process is complete. The size of the firmware file varies depending on the Hikvision DVR model. The DVR firmware I downloaded is 27.9 MB in .ZIP format. Once the download is complete, extract the file, and the firmware will be ready to use.
Enable Automatic Firmware Upgrades on NVRs and DVRs on a Regular Basis
Another way to ensure that NVRs and DVRs have the latest firmware is to enable automatic updates.
By enabling the automatic upgrade feature, if the Hikvision cloud server provides the latest firmware, the NVRs and DVRs will automatically download and install it. You won’t have to go through the trouble of downloading the firmware from the official website or the Hik-Partner Pro app. Of course, for this automatic process to work, the NVRs and DVRs must be connected to the internet.
This method also reduces the likelihood of a failed manual firmware upgrade.
Common Causes of Failure to Update Hikvision DVR Firmware
Based on my experiments so far, there are several common causes of failure to update a Hikvision DVR.
- Corrupted firmware file
- The internet connection is unstable
An example of a corrupted firmware file is my experiment above. I downloaded the firmware file from Hikvision’s official website, but I was unable to use it to update the firmware.
If you’re flashing the firmware online, make sure your internet connection is stable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is Firmware?
Firmware is a type of software, not an operating system. Firmware runs only on devices designed specifically for that firmware. Examples include DVRs, NVRs, and IP cameras. IP camera firmware cannot be used on NVRs or DVRs, and vice versa.
Can Other Apps Be Installed on the Firmware?
No, the firmware only runs according to its specifications.
Is Hikvision Firmware Free?
Yes, users can download and use Hikvision firmware for free.
Final Thoughts
So, users don’t actually need to update the firmware if the DVR’s functions are still working properly. If common issues arise with the DVR—such as the hard drive not being detected, inability to play back, or inability to record—these problems are not caused by the firmware, but rather by the use of a low-quality hard drive. If the file you downloaded from the official website fails to install, you can try downloading the firmware file from the Hik-Connect app.
I hope this article is helpful and can assist you in resolving the issue of failing to update the Hikvision DVR firmware. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section.
