How to Factory Reset a Standalone Camera
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A factory reset restores a Swann standalone camera to its default settings. It can help resolve persistent setup, connection, configuration, or unusual camera issues when other troubleshooting steps have not worked.
IMPORTANT: Factory resetting the camera does NOT unpair it from the Swann Security account it is currently paired to. If you are trying to pair the camera to a different account, a factory reset alone will not remove the existing account association.
Before You Start
Factory resetting should be the last troubleshooting step after you have tried the recommended fixes for your issue.
Before resetting your camera:
- Make sure the camera has power or charged.
- If the camera is experiencing a glitch or unusual behavior, reboot the camera first
- Complete any other troubleshooting steps recommended for your specific issue.
If the issue you are having is still not fixed, choose your camera model below:
What Can a Factory Reset Fix?
A factory reset can help when the camera has persistent issues that are not resolved by normal troubleshooting.
It may help with:
- Incorrect or corrupted camera settings
- Persistent connection or setup issues
- Unusual camera behavior or glitches
- Problems caused by previous configuration changes
- Issues where the camera does not respond as expected after other troubleshooting
A factory reset does not remove the camera from the Swann Security account it is currently paired to.
Step-by-Step Guide
There are two ways to factory reset a Swann standalone camera.
- If the camera is online, use Swann Security app
- If the camera is offline or easy to reach, use the reset button
Factory Reset Using the Swann Security App
You can factory reset the camera from the Swann Security app only when the camera is live or online.
Choose Your Phone Type
For Android users, below are the steps to factory reset you standalone camera.
- Open Swann Security then tap and select your standalone camera
- Tap
- Tap
- Read the reminder and if you still want to proceed, tap
Once factory reset is complete, it will be in Pairing mode (LED is blinking blue, slowly or for newer units, you will hear "Ready for pairing")
For iOS users, below are the steps to factory reset you standalone camera.
- Open Swann Security then tap and select your standalone camera
- Tap
- Read the reminder and if you still want to proceed, tap
- If you are sure, tap
Once factory reset is complete, it will be in Pairing mode (LED is blinking blue, slowly or for newer units, you will hear "Ready for pairing")
Factory Reset Using the Reset Button
If the camera is offline or cannot be accessed through the Swann Security app, you may be able to factory reset it using its physical reset button.
SWIFI-SE3KPT
- At the camera head, locate the Reset button (see below figure).
- Press and hold the Reset button for 10 seconds, then release it.
- After approximately 15 seconds, the LED indicator will turn red and then turn off while the factory reset is in progress. This process takes approximately 60 seconds.
- Once the reset is complete, the camera will automatically enter pairing mode, and you will hear “Ready for pairing.”
繁體中文(台灣)
- 按住重設按鈕 10 秒鐘,然後放開。
- 約 15 秒後,LED 指示燈會亮紅燈,然後在恢復原廠設定期間熄滅。此過程大約需要 60 秒。
- 重設完成後,攝影機會自動進入配對模式,您會聽到「Ready for pairing(準備配對)」的語音提示。
SWIFI-4KPTBC
- At the camera head, locate the SET button (see below figure).
- Press and hold the SET button.
- Once the blue LED turns off, release the button immediately.
- The camera will start the factory reset process which can take up to 2 minutes.
- Once the reset is complete, the camera will automatically enter pairing mode, and you will hear “Ready for pairing.”
SWIFI-SE2KBC / SWIFI-SESOL2KBC
- Locate the SET button (see below figure).
- Press and hold the SET button.
- When the LED indicator starts flashing red, release the button.
- The camera will start the factory reset process which can take up to 1 minute.
- When you hear an audible message saying "Ready for pairing", then factory reset is complete.
SWIFI-SE2KPT and SWIFI-SE2KIC
- Locate the Reset button (see below figure).
- Press and hold the Reset button (for 10 seconds).
- When the blue LED indicator on the camera turns off, release the Reset button.
- The camera will start the factory reset process which can take up to 1 minute.
- Once factory reset is complete, it will be in Pairing mode (LED will be in slow blinking blue).
SWIFI-4KFLOCAM
- Locate the Reset button (see below figure) on the SWIFI-4KOCAM. It is behind the camera module covered by a rubber flap.
- Press and hold the Reset button (for 20 seconds).
- When the blue LED indicator on the camera turns off, release the Reset button.
- The camera will start the factory reset process which can take up to 2 minutes.
- Once factory reset is complete, it will be in Pairing mode (LED will be in slow blinking blue).
SWIFI-COREPRO / SWIFI-CORECAM
- Ensure the camera has been fully charged for at least 4 hours prior.
- Locate the Reset button (see below figure) on the camera.
- Press and hold the Reset button (for about10 seconds).
- Once the LED indicator on the camera turns off, release the Reset button.
- The camera will start the factory reset process which can take up to 2 minutes.
- Once factory reset is complete, it will be in Pairing mode (LED will be in slow blinking blue).
SWIFI-2KICAM
- Locate the Reset button (see below figure) on the SWIFI-2KICAM.
- Press and hold the Reset button (for 20 seconds).
- When the blue LED indicator on the camera turns off, release the Reset button.
- The camera will start the factory reset process which can take up to 2 minutes.
- Once factory reset is complete, it will be in Pairing mode (LED will be in slow blinking blue).
SWIFI-FOURTIFY
- Locate the Reset button (see below figure) on the SWIFI-FOURTIFY. It is behind the camera module covered by a rubber flap.
- Press and hold the Reset button for 10 seconds.
- Release the Reset button after 10 seconds.
- You'll hear the camera say "Restore factory settings and format SD card". The camera will start the factory reset process which can take up to 2 minutes.
- Once factory reset is complete, it will be in Pairing mode (LED will be in slow blinking blue).
SWIFI-SEVDBC / SWIFI-4KBUDDY / SWIFI-BUDDY
- Ensure the camera has been fully charged for at least 4 hours prior.
- Locate the SET button and RST pinhole (see below figure) on the back of the camera.
- Press and hold the SET and RST button (pin required).
- After 2 seconds, release RST button.
- Once blue LED turns off (or after 15 seconds), release SET button.
- Once factory reset is complete, it will be in Pairing mode (LED will be in slow blinking blue) and you will hear it say "Ready for pairing".
SWIFI-4KXTRMECO / SWIFI-4KXTRM / SWIFI-XTRCM
- Ensure the camera has been fully charged for at least 4 hours prior.
- Locate the SET button and RST pinhole (see below figure) on the back of the camera. It is on the top of the camera covered by a rubber flap.
- Press and hold the SET and RST button.
- After 2 seconds, release RST button.
- Once blue LED turns off (or after 15 seconds), release SET button.
- Once factory reset is complete, it will be in Pairing mode (LED will be in slow blinking blue) and you will hear it say "Ready for pairing".
SWIFI-CAM
WARNING! Do NOT perform the following if your camera's firmware is 3.4.1076 (or prior). Factory reset will revert back to firmware 3.4.944. Simply REBOOT the camera instead either via app or button (press and hold Reset for 5 seconds)
- Ensure the camera has been fully charged for at least 4 hours prior.
- Locate the Reset and Pair buttons (see below figure) on the camera.
- Press and hold the Reset and Pair button.
- After 2 seconds, release Reset button.
- Once blue LED turns off (or after 25 seconds), release Pair button.
- Once factory reset is complete, it will be in Pairing mode (LED will be in slow blinking blue).
SWIFI-PTCAM2
- Locate the Reset button (see below figure) on the SWIFI-PTCAM2.
- Press and hold the Reset button (for 20 seconds).
- When the blue LED indicator on the camera turns off, release the Reset button.
- The camera will start the factory reset process which can take up to 2 minutes.
- Once factory reset is complete, it will be in Pairing mode (LED will be in slow blinking blue).
SWIFI-FLOCAM2 / WHD-FLOCAM
- Locate the Reset button (see below figure) on the SWIFI-FLOCAM2 / SWWHD-FLOCAM. It is behind the camera module covered by a rubber flap.
- Press and hold the Reset button (for 20 seconds).
- When the blue LED indicator on the camera turns off, release the Reset button.
- The camera will start the factory reset process which can take up to 2 minutes.
- Once factory reset is complete, it will be in Pairing mode (LED will be in slow blinking blue).
SWIFI-TRACKCM
- Locate the Reset button (see below figure) on the SWIFI-TRACKCM.
- Press and hold the Reset button (for 20 seconds).
- When the blue LED indicator on the camera turns off, release the Reset button.
- The camera will start the factory reset process which can take up to 2 minutes.
- Once factory reset is complete, it will be in Pairing mode (LED will be in slow blinking blue).
SWIFI-2KOCAM / SWIFI-SPOTCAM / WHD-OUTCAM
- Locate the Reset button (see below figure) on the twin cable of the SWIFI-2KOCAM / SWIFI-SPOTCAM / SWWHD-OUTCAM.
- Press and hold the Reset button (for 20 seconds).
- When the blue LED indicator on the camera turns off, release the Reset button.
- The camera will start the factory reset process which can take up to 2 minutes.
- Once factory reset is complete, it will be in Pairing mode (LED will be in slow blinking blue).
SWIFI-ALERTCAM / WHD-INDCAM
- Locate the Reset button (see below figure) on the SWIFI-ALERTCAM / SWWHD-INDCAM.
- Press and hold the Reset button (for 20 seconds).
- When the blue LED indicator on the camera turns off, release the Reset button.
- The camera will start the factory reset process which can take up to 2 minutes.
- Once factory reset is complete, it will be in Pairing mode (LED will be in slow blinking blue).
What Happens After a Factory Reset?
After a successful factory reset, the camera enters pairing mode.
It will either do one or both:
- A blinking blue LED, or
- A voice prompt saying "Ready for pairing"
This means the camera is ready to go through the pairing process again.
A factory reset does not remove the camera from the Swann Security account it is currently paired to.
- If you reset a camera because you want to pair it with another Swann Security account, the reset alone will not do this.
- If the camera is still registered to another account, you'll have to unpair it from the current account first, then pair to the new account
See also: How to Unpair Swann Security Device
If the Issue Still Happens
If the camera continues to have the same problem after a factory reset:
- Complete the camera's setup and pairing process again.
- Check whether the original issue is still present.
- Make sure the camera is using a compatible Wi-Fi network and has a stable connection.
- Check for any model-specific troubleshooting steps.
- Contact Swann Support if the issue continues.
Related Questions
Will a factory reset unpair my camera from my Swann Security account?
No. A factory reset restores the camera's settings but does not remove its existing account association.
Why does my camera say "Ready for pairing" after a reset?
This is expected. After a factory reset, the camera enters pairing mode so it can be set up again.
What does a blinking blue LED mean after a factory reset?
- Slow blinking blue LED indicates that the camera is in pairing mode and ready to be set up
- Fast blinking blue LED means it is trying to connect to a network
Should I factory reset my camera if it is not working?
Factory resetting should generally be a last troubleshooting step. Reboot the camera first and complete the recommended troubleshooting for the issue before performing a factory reset.
Can I factory reset my camera if it is offline?
Yes — After you have ensured that the camera is powered/charged and you have already tried rebooting.
Summary
Factory resetting can resolve persistent camera settings, setup, connection, and unusual behavior issues when other troubleshooting has not worked. Reboot the camera first, complete the necessary troubleshooting, and use a factory reset as the final step.
Remember that a factory reset puts the camera into pairing mode but does not unpair it from its current Swann Security account.