Reolink RTSP URL: how to enable RTSP and find your stream
The exact URL format for Reolink cameras and NVRs, the setting you need to switch on first, and what to do when the stream won't open.
RTSP is the standard way to read a camera's live video from another app: VLC, an NVR, Frigate, Blue Iris, or a smart home platform like Gladys Assistant. Reolink cameras support it, but recent firmware ships with RTSP turned off, and the URL format isn't obvious.
Here is everything you need: how to enable RTSP, the URL for the main and sub streams, the format for NVR channels, and fixes for the most common problems.
Step 1: enable RTSP on your Reolink camera
On recent firmware, RTSP is disabled by default for security. Turn it on before trying any URL:
- Open the Reolink app or the Reolink desktop client and select your camera (or your NVR).
- Go to the camera settings, then Network, then Advanced, and open the server or port settings (the exact menu names vary with the app version).
- Switch RTSP on and note the RTSP port: 554 by default.
- Give the camera a fixed IP address in your router (a DHCP reservation), so the URL doesn't change after a reboot.
While you're in the settings, check the camera's username and password: the RTSP URL uses the camera account, not your Reolink cloud account.
Step 2: the Reolink RTSP URL format
Replace USER, PASSWORD and IP with your camera's account and local IP address:
| Stream | RTSP URL | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Main stream (camera) | rtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:554/Preview_01_main | Full-resolution recording |
| Sub stream (camera) | rtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:554/Preview_01_sub | Live view, dashboards, low bandwidth |
| Older format (most models) | rtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:554/h264Preview_01_main | Same stream, used by many guides and apps |
| NVR or Home Hub, channel 2 | rtsp://USER:PASSWORD@NVR_IP:554/Preview_02_main | Camera connected to the NVR's 2nd channel |
| Custom port | rtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:PORT/Preview_01_main | If you changed the RTSP port |
The channel number is 01 for a standalone camera. On an NVR or a Home Hub, it's the number of the channel the camera is connected to (02, 03…). Test the URL in VLC (Media → Open Network Stream) before using it anywhere else.
Step 3: fix the most common RTSP problems
If the stream doesn't open, it's usually one of these:
Recent firmware disables RTSP by default. Double-check the server or port settings, and save.
Characters like @, :, # or / break the URL. URL-encode them (@ becomes %40) or use a password without them.
Some players can't decode H.265. Use the sub stream for live view, or switch the main stream to H.264 in the camera settings.
Battery models go back to sleep: Reolink limits their RTSP sessions to about 5 minutes. They're not made for continuous streaming.
RTSP only works on your local network. From outside, use a VPN rather than exposing port 554 to the internet.
Reolink notes that 4K cameras on some NVR hardware only expose the fluent (sub) stream over RTSP.
View your Reolink cameras in Gladys
Gladys Assistant gives you two ways to add a Reolink camera, both local:
- The Reolink integration (recommended): scans your network, and exposes images and motion detection for every camera, plus battery, spotlight, siren or PTZ presets depending on the model. No Reolink account, nothing goes through the cloud.
- The generic camera integration: paste the RTSP URL of any camera, Reolink or not, and display it on your dashboard.
- Then use your cameras in scenes: get a snapshot on your phone when motion is detected, turn on the spotlight when a door opens, or have the AI describe what the camera sees.
Everything stays on your network: Gladys reads the stream directly from the camera.
Local cameras, no subscription required
Reolink is one of the few camera brands that work fully locally, with RTSP and no mandatory cloud. Gladys keeps it that way: your video goes from the camera to your own machine, and nowhere else.
Gladys is free and open-source. An optional Gladys Plus subscription adds encrypted remote access to your cameras from anywhere, without opening ports on your router.
Go further
Build a complete, local security setup:
Combine your cameras with motion and door sensors, locally.
The generic camera integration for any RTSP or HTTP stream.
Let the AI look at a camera image and decide whether to alert you.
The other brands and protocols supported by Gladys.
Frequently asked questions
What is the RTSP URL of a Reolink camera?
rtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:554/Preview_01_main for the main stream and rtsp://USER:PASSWORD@IP:554/Preview_01_sub for the sub stream, where USER and PASSWORD are the camera's account and IP its local address. The older h264Preview_01_main path also works on most models.
How do I enable RTSP on a Reolink camera?
In the Reolink app or desktop client, open the camera settings, then Network, Advanced, and the server or port settings, and switch RTSP on. Recent firmware ships with RTSP disabled by default. The default RTSP port is 554.
What is the RTSP URL for a camera connected to a Reolink NVR?
Use the NVR's IP address and the channel number of the camera: rtsp://USER:PASSWORD@NVR_IP:554/Preview_02_main for the camera on channel 2, Preview_03_main for channel 3, and so on.
Do Reolink battery cameras support RTSP?
Only in a limited way. Battery-powered cameras are designed to sleep, and Reolink limits their RTSP preview sessions to about 5 minutes, so they aren't suited to continuous streaming. Cameras on permanent power (PoE or plugged-in Wi-Fi models) are the right choice for 24/7 RTSP.
Why doesn't my Reolink RTSP stream work in VLC?
The most common causes are RTSP still being disabled in the camera settings, special characters in the password that need to be URL-encoded, and an H.265 main stream the player can't decode. Try the sub stream first, and check that you're on the same local network as the camera.
Can I view Reolink cameras without the Reolink app or cloud?
Yes. Over RTSP, any compatible app can read the stream locally. Gladys Assistant also has a free Reolink integration that talks to your cameras directly on your network, with no Reolink account, for images, motion detection, spotlight, siren and PTZ presets.
Watch your Reolink cameras locally
Gladys is free, open-source and runs on your own hardware. Add your Reolink cameras in a few clicks and keep your video at home.