How to Fix Hikvision OSD Settings Parameter Error?

Hikvision OSD settings parameter error is a common issue with CCTV camera users.

Fortunately, fixing that is no big deal, as we will teach you below.

Hikvision is not compatible with some browsers, but sometimes you do not have enough permissions to change some settings. Alternatively, some settings are conflicting, and you must find the source.

If the above sounds too much, you can remain at ease as we will walk you through complete troubleshooting.

What Is Causing OSD Settings Parameter Error?

Although annoying, OSD settings parameter error usually occurs when you do a slightly wrong thing.

It has little to do with the system being buggy but just how it is supposed to work.

The most common causes are the following:

1. Misconfiguration in the cameras – Some parameters of your cameras might conflict with the general NVR settings. 

2. Unsupported browser – Nowadays, not all browsers support Hikvision’s OSD settings correctly.

3. Lack of access to admin privileges – Sometimes, you must log in or launch the browser as admin to access all settings.

4. Wrong place – Perhaps you are trying to change OSD parameters on the camera web page, while you should do that on the NVR page. 

How to Fix Hikvision OSD Settings Parameter Error?

We’ve discussed the probable causes of your getting the “parameter error” message when adjusting OSD settings.

Now it is time we dive into the solutions.

Most of them are very simple, and you will have everything running perfectly at the end of this guide.

Solution #1: Check That You Are In Right Virtual Place

It might just be that you are not in the correct virtual place, and any settings you try to alter are conflicting!

When changing OSD settings, you must ensure you are in your NVR control panel. 

Some users have already reported that changing OSD settings via the camera webpage/panel control result in a “parameter error”!

Solution #2: Check Your Cameras’ Settings

Some settings might conflict if you are using a Hikvision NVR with cameras of a different brand. 

A common issue, already reported by some users, happens when they use a camera that does not require authentication.

The users would then leave the field name blank in the OSD settings. 

That causes a parameter error, as Hikvision NVR does not accept that the field name is left blank.

So, how to fix it?

The issue is very silly, and the solution is very silly too! All you have to do is attribute a name to each connected camera.

If your cameras already have names attributed or require authentication, then ignore the above.

It could be that other settings are conflicting. How to discover that, though?

Review The Manuals

We recommend you review your NVR’s manual, your cameras, and the configurations you set up for each device.

You might have overlooked some crucial settings, and it is conflicting. 

Tip: If you don't have your device's manual anymore, you can find them online on the manufacturer's site!

Solution #3: Switch Your Browser

It may sound absurd, but Hikvision OSD still doesn’t support all internet browsers nowadays. 

Many users report the “parameter error” message when they attempt to set things up via Firefox or Opera.

The issue is that, originally, Hikvision OSD only supported Internet Explorer and needed a plug-in.

But, as you might be aware, Internet Explorer is no longer working, as Microsoft Edge has replaced it.

Try Google Chrome or Edge

Hikvision is not very clear about which browsers do support their NVR management.

However, they state that Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge can handle a few of their products without a plug-in.

For a complete list of the products and initial firmware versions supported by Chrome and Edge, check below:

Tip: The best thing is to try Edge in IE mode immediately, as most functions should be available that way.

Solution #4: Use Microsoft Edge in IE Mode

Suppose that using Chrome or Edge still didn’t do the trick. Or worse, you have a device not supported in plugin-less Chrome or Edge. 

In those cases, what is left for you is enabling the Internet Explorer mode on Microsoft Edge.

As archaic as that might sound, let’s check how you can do that:

1. In the Microsoft Edge address bar, type “edge://settings/defaultbrowser” 
2. Press Enter;
3. Enable the “Allow websites to reload in Internet Explorer” selection;
4. Restart Microsoft Edge.

Now that the mode is enabled, follow the steps below to load a website using this feature:

1. Navigate to the website you want to view with mode enabled;
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the browser window;
3. Select “More tools” and “Reload in Internet Explorer mode.”

Exiting Internet Mode

To return to browsing without mode enabled, go to the info bar at the top of the screen and click Exit.

Alternatively, close your current tab and open a new tab in Microsoft Edge.

Compatibility Mode in Internet Explorer

Sometimes websites in the above situation continue to have errors, with the mode enabled in Edge or the browser itself.

For example, images may not load, tabs may be out of place and text may get scrambled. 

That could be caused by a compatibility issue between your browser and the website.

Another way to fix this problem is to include the domain in your Compatibility View list.

See how:

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Click the Tools button;
3. Choose Compatibility View Settings;
4. On “Add this site,” type the URL you want to include in the list 
5. Click “Add.”

Alert: If you've tried all the steps above and the page has gotten worse, the problem may not be one of compatibility, and you should exclude the site from the list.

Solution #5: Admin Rights In Windows and Browser

The NVR may not allow you to change OSD settings because you lack admin privileges.

There are three levels in which you might be required to access NVR settings as an administrator:

• Admin in the NVR settings
• Launch the browser in admin mode
• Windows in admin mode

The first thing we suggest doing is launching your browser in admin mode.

Running Chrome As Admin

There are two stages in running your Chrome browser in admin mode. First:

1. Right-click the Chrome icon
2. Choose “run as administrator.”

The browser will open up, then next:

1. Go to “admin.google.com”
2. Enter your credentials

Suppose you don’t have an account to log into admin.google.com.

In that case, you can immediately try logging into the Hikvision control panel and see if simply running Chrome as admin makes any difference.

If not, you will have to create an admin account at the address you typed in before.

Running Edge As Admin

To run Microsoft Edge in admin mode, do the following:

1. Right-click Edge where it is installed
2. Click Properties 
3. Go to Compatibility 
4. Check “Run this program as an administrator.”

When opening Edge, you will be prompted to enter your admin password.

Using Windows As Admin

Using a personal computer, you probably already have admin rights. If you are not sure your account is set to allow you admin rights, do the following:

1. Open Control Panel
2. Go to User Account and find your account
3. Under your email and username, you should see the Administrator

If you don’t have admin privileges, do the following:

1. Open the Settings App
2. Click Accounts and Family & other users
3. Click your username 
4. Change account type 
5. Select Administrators 
6. Click OK.

Alert: Running browsers as admin all the time is not advised. Some are not very safe, such as Chrome.

Solution #6: Permissions In The Hikvision Control Panel

Maybe your Hikvision account doesn’t have permission to change some settings, thus not allowing you to change OSD parameters.

Only the admin can change your account’s permissions. 

To change a user’s permissions in the Hikvision control panel, do the following:

1. Log into the control panel
2. Find Configuration
3. Now click User Management
4. Click the user you want to change permissions
5. Select a different option in Level OR customize permissions in the boxes below

Note: The recommended permission level for another user is Operator, which should allow them to change camera settings but not much else.

What We Learned

Is the Hikvision OSD settings parameter error bothering you?

The solutions involve finding conflicting settings, adjusting them, and checking if you have enough permissions to change OSD parameters. 

Further, you might try using a browser not officially supported by Hikvision. Then, following the solutions we instructed, you should be able to regain full access to your CCTV system.