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If you own a Hikvision DS-7604NI-E1/4P, DS-7608NI-E2/8P, or DS-7616NI-E2/8P (Hikvision NVR or other Hikvision cameras and Hikvision devices) and you’re trying to view the recorded or live video feed in Google Chrome, then this is your lucky day. Got a supported NVR from Hikvision? Wondering why it won’t work in Google Chrome? The problem is NPAPI, and we have a solution.
Problem 1: Google Chrome Plugin Compatibility Problems
IP Cameras and Network Video Recorders are designed to work out of the box. Yet, you may experience system-related connection issues. This guide will help you troubleshoot common connectivity issues and seamlessly integrate your IP Cameras and Network Video Recorder with Google Chrome.
For some reason, maybe because you are using an older computer or Chrome is not supported, or you have a different version of Chrome installed upgrade your system with the latest security patch / use a different browser or reset Google chrome, and so on. The text with the error message when the Hikvision chrome plugin not working is:
Would you please click here to download and install the Hikvision web plugin? Close the browser when installing the Hikvision web plugin.
How To Fix This?
You will see an error message if you are still using an unsupported browser. If you want to view the dashboard on Chrome, you must first download and install the IE Tab extension. Please note that this only allows access to Java apps, Silverlight, ActiveX controls.
Install and activate the ‘IE Tab’ extension to emulate the local IIS environment on Google Chrome. This will allow you to install the Hikvision plugin without launching the IE browser.
Problem 2: No Video Display In Google Chrome
Hikvision has acknowledged Google’s plans to discontinue NPAPI support but is making a commitment to provide alternatives to the Chrome browser that complies with upcoming Chrome changes. (1)
They regret to inform you they have discontinued support to use NPAPI in Chrome. To continue using H.264 cameras on a browser, please install an alternate browser. Due to a security issue with plug-in support in older browsers, a decision to suspend NPAPI support in Chrome (and other browsers) follows.
How To Fix This?
After visiting the link to IE Tab, go to the top right and select ADD TO CHROME option. The installation will prompt you to complete the extension setup.
IE Tab is an extension for Google Chrome that allows you to open multiple IE browser windows straight from your browser. As many people probably know, IE can be a little clunky and difficult to use compared to other browsers. Many people also don’t like using Internet Explorer because of the security problems it has had over the years.
What Does NPAPI Do?
Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface (NPAPI) was a deprecated feature in older browsers. It provided Native Code support for Netscape Navigator 2.0 browsers, starting in 1995. Subsequently, it found its way into other browsers such as Firefox.
Firefox engineers discontinued NPAPI support because the architecture looks different now and had caused massive crashes, hangs, and security incidents. Hikvision, a Chinese security camera manufacturer, announced that it would be removing access to its devices via Google Chrome, a move that came about just months after IronNet Cybersecurity informed the FBI of a vulnerability that affected many services including Hikvision.
Problem 4: IE Extension
Hikvision’s IP camera web management and LiveView software are no longer officially supported on Internet Explorer starting January 31, 2019. The IE Tab Chrome extension can run on the Hikvision support pages in legacy, Chinese, or English with any browser other than Internet Explorer.
How To Fix This?
Support for the old Netscape Plugin API (NPAPI) support was obsolete in Chrome 51. Modern websites need to use secure connections, but most legacy web applications require NPAPI to work. This extension re-enables NPAPI support, allowing NPAPI plug-ins to run inside Chrome.
As technologies change and new web protocols are set up, sometimes some older Internet applications may stop working. The screen tools feature of your Security Center software suite provides a solution to this problem.
Pale Moon is a free and open-source web browser based on the Mozilla codebase which retains support for legacy plugins such as the one that Hikvision asks you to install. The Pale Moon browser is a better choice than Firefox/Mozilla for running the Hikvision plugin. By using it you will be able to access your IP network Hikvision cameras and view live video.
- Install Pale Moon browser for the Hikvision camera NVR
- Input the IP address of the IP camera or Hikvision NVR
- Input username and password of the Hikvision camera NVR and log in
- Take advantage of the live view!
Remote NVR Display Success
The Hikvision camera DVR app allows you to view live video from your network-connected Hikvision camera DVR or any Hikvision device. We’ve tested the app against a variety of Hikvision devices with no known issues. Simply connect to the IP address of your D-Link NVR (set via the DHCP function of your modem/router) to view live video from your network. (2)
References:
(1) NPAPI support – https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chrome-npapi-replacement/okoafaojkokbmieeefnflkiklhanpeoc?hl=en
(2) DHCP function – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/technologies/dhcp/dhcp-top
