Before you start — warnings & notes

• Reset = full wipe. A factory reset returns the camera to factory settings and removes all configuration, apps and user settings (including the IP address) — you will need to reconfigure the device afterward. (Axis Documentation)

• Safety: the manual warns about optical/IR emission — don’t stare into the operating lamp while the camera is powered. (Axis Documentation)

• Have an Ethernet cable and access to a DHCP network (or be prepared to set a computer to a compatible static IP) so you can find the camera after the reset.

Method A — Hardware (control-button) factory reset (recommended when you’ve lost the password)

1. Power down the camera — remove PoE or unplug the power/PoE injector/switch.

2. Locate the control button. (See the product overview in the P32 user manual if you need the exact location — often under the dome cover.) (Axis Documentation)

3. Press & hold the control button, then reapply power while still holding the button.

4. Keep holding for 15–30 seconds until the status LED flashes amber.

5. Release the control button when you see the amber flash. Wait — the status LED will turn green when the reset completes (may take up to a minute).

6. When green, the camera is back to factory defaults. Use installation tools to assign IP and set passwords as needed. (Axis Documentation)

(That exact 15–30 s sequence and LED behavior comes from Axis’ P32-series instructions.) (Axis Documentation)

Method B — Software (web interface) factory reset

1. Find and log in to the camera’s web interface (enter its IP in a browser).

2. Go to Settings → System → Maintenance (or similar) and click Default (factory default).

3. Confirm the action. The camera will revert to factory defaults and reboot. (Axis Documentation)

After the reset — finding & accessing the camera

• If there’s a DHCP server, the camera will get an IP via DHCP. If no DHCP is available, the camera’s fallback IP depends on firmware/OS version: on newer AXIS OS versions the camera will use link-local (169.254.x.x); on older versions it will fall back to 192.168.0.90 (or within that small range). Use AXIS IP Utility or AXIS Device Manager to locate the camera on the network. (Axis Documentation)

• Default admin account behavior: the default administrator username is root. On modern Axis devices there is no default password — you are prompted to create/set the admin password the first time you access the device. If you lose that password, perform the factory reset. (Axis Documentation)

Important follow-up steps (do these right after reset)

1. Use AXIS Device Manager or the web UI to assign a secure IP (or confirm DHCP).

2. Immediately set a strong root/admin password when prompted. (Axis Documentation)

3. Update the camera firmware to the latest AXIS OS release.

4. Reinstall any third-party apps and reconfigure VMS, users, event rules, storage, etc. (a reset removes those). (Axis Documentation)

Troubleshooting quick tips

• No amber LED after 30s? Try: power cycle and repeat the exact sequence (button held while power is applied). Use a different PoE port or inline injector if you suspect power issues. (Axis Documentation)

• Still can’t find the camera on the network? Temporarily set your laptop to a static IP on 192.168.0.x (e.g., 192.168.0.10/24) and browse 192.168.0.90, or use AXIS IP Utility to discover link-local addresses (169.254.x.x). (Axis Documentation)