DAHUA gDMSS Plus app not working on wifi

cpippen

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We recently began using the gDMSS Plus app (Version 4.30.003, from Zhejiang DAHUA Technology Co, Ltd) on Andriod. It allows us to view our security cameras live, on a mobile phone.

And although it's a popular app, with apparently over 1 million downloads, we cant see the camera output, if using the app over our wifi on a mobile phone. It will work using telco data on the mobile phone. The app comes with a FAQ page, which advises that if "Failed to configure wifi of device" then "Do not use dual band router with 5G function."

I dont know much about WiFi, but it looks to me like we are indeed getting dual band wifi including 5Ghz from our Unifi access points. My question is, should we disable dual band? Is that how everyone else deals with this problem?

Thanks
Craig
 

Maat

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When you say you you can't see camera output via wifi, do you mean that you cannot connect to camera and if so it's always useful to post exact error message if present. Or you mean you can connect but no video stream is shown.
Are you using vpn for connecting to camera.
I think there may be 2 probable scenarios, causing the problem, from the info you've given. I may be wrong, please post more details of how exactly you're trying to connect.

1. Scenario: you are trying to connect to camera using vpn when on local wifi, which won't work unless you turn on NAT loopback on router.
If on the same network, vpn is not needed an should not be used, because vpn tries to connect from outside, via public address of your network.

2. Scenario: you are not using vpn but are in fact trying to access camera via public ip address (or hostname) of your network, that was setup with help of port forwarding (not recommended, big security problem). Again, internal network devices when you are connected via wifi and on the same network as device, should not be accessed by public address but with the local ones.

Both scenarios are based on the assumption that when you say wifi, you mean the same local network to which camera is connected. Please post more details of your setup.

I would recommend you use vpn when on mobile data and on any other external network, and no vpn when on the same local network with camera.
 
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cpippen

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Thanks Maat!

What I mean is, in "Live Preview" I can select from a list of our cameras, but when I choose one, it says "Failed to connect - [Name]" and no footage displays. But if I instead use telco data, rather than wifi, I can see the camera footage live. When I say "wifi" I do mean the local wifi that is probably on same local network to which the cameras are connected.

I dont believe we are connecting with VPN. Your scenario #2 is probably what we're doing, because yes we do enter our public IP into the app, although Im not aware of port forwarding having been set up.

Thanks so much. Ill forward your advice to our more senior IT gurus.
 

Maat

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Port forwarding may be automatic, you may have upnp and or nat-pmp enabled in router, and upnp in camera by default. It's very dangerous, leaving your network and camera vulnerable for hacking. Especially camera.

Setup vpn ( preferably openvpn) for your network (the local one with camera) and connect through vpn to that network when on external or mobile networks. Anyway, setup the same camera in gDMSS, but a new entry, this time with local ip address.
Use this local address camera entry for viewing, always. When connected via wifi locally on the same network, don't use vpn. When on other networks, first use vpn to connect to your network with camera, and then connect to camera via its local address. Vpn will effectivelly connect you to your network in a secure and encrypted way. If set up carefully. Also disable upnp, nat-pmp on router, and p2p/cloud and upnp in camera.
 

Bryan

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Having the same problem AT HOME ONLY. Can't connect w gDMSS using wifi direct at home on my smartphone. If I disable wifi calling on my phone and use 4G it works. I can be at someone else's house and connect to their WIFI with my phone, then it works great. Just not at my house.
 

Bryan

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It got complicated and with a lot of reading so I solved it another way. Just created another NVR device on my phone. Called it NVR Internal. Used the local internal address for the NVR. Boom. Works like when I'm away from home but much faster.
 

Bryan

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When you are on your home wifi, try to use the internal address of the NVR, or cameras direct, something like 192.168.1.108
Could have saved myself 2 hours reading about hairpinning and NAT Loopback if I had saw your response.. It hit me, I just created another NVR on my phone and called it NVR internal. Used the local address 192.168... and it works!
 
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