Recovery Firmware for the HD SPOT Module

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Affected Roles: Administrator

Last Edit: February 5, 2026

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System Recovery

In the event of system errors, program corruption, or display issues, recovery firmware files can be applied as a final troubleshooting step.

By running the recovery process, the DW Spot Monitoring Module will be defaulted and reverted to an older version of its firmware, resolving most operational issues. Once the recovery is complete, the device firmware can be upgraded back to the latest release.

This article will outline the recovery process for the DW HD Spot Module.

**NOTE: Running firmware recovery will completely default the system. As a result, repeating the initial device setup will be required.

Supported/Affected Devices

• DW HD Spot™ Monitoring Module
  • DW-HDSPOTMOD
  • DW-HDSPOTMOD16

Before You Begin

• When preparing the USB flash drive for firmware recovery, it is recommended to format the drive to FAT32 before beginning.
• When running the firmware recovery program, there should be no other items on the USB flash drive other than the recovery firmware files.

Required Equipment

• USB Drive (FAT32 format)
• Display Monitor (connected to the HD Spot Module)
• USB Mouse (connected to the HD Spot Module)

**NOTE: It is recommended to avoid the use of Kingston and San Disk brand USB flash drive, if possible, as the unit may not recognize these USB brands.

Part 1: HD Spot Module Firmware Recovery Files

Identifying the Model Generation

To determine the hardware generation of your device, and which firmware recovery version is right for you, you can use the following as a reference:

• Consider the model number.
• Compare the filename of the firmware.
• Check the Serial Number (S/N) on your unit to determine the product generation.
• Inspect the physical positioning of the USB ports.

Generation 1

• One (1) USB Type-A 2.0 port at the front of the device.
• One (1) USB Type-A 2.0 port at the rear of the device.

Generation 2

• Two (2) USB Type-A 2.0 ports at the front of the device.
• No USB Type-A 2.0 ports at the rear of the device.

Download Firmware Recovery

1. Use the following links to download the recovery files, according to the generation of your HD Spot Module.

1^st Generation

• DW-HDSPOTMOD 1st Gen (4-CH)
• DW-HDSPOTMOD16 1st Gen (16-CH)

2^nd Generation

• DW-HDSPOTMOD 2nd Gen (4-CH)
• DW-HDSPOTMOD16 2nd Gen (16-CH)

3^rd Generation

• DW-HDSPOTMOD 3rd Gen (4-CH)
• DW-HDSPOTMOD16 3rd Gen (16-CH)

2. After downloading the firmware files, open and extract the zipped files from the compressed folder.

3. Copy the recovery files to a blank USB flash drive (FAT32 format) with the following considerations:

• 1st & 2nd Generation – place the recovery files directly into the root directory of the USB flash drive. The system will be unable to locate the files if they are placed into a folder.
• 3rd Generation – place the recovery files folder in the root directory USB flash drive. Name the folder as “recovery_files”.
  Once the files are copied to the USB flash drive, you may eject the USB flash drive from the computer.

**NOTE: When running the firmware recovery program, there should be no items on the USB flash drive other than the recovery firmware files.

Part 2: Recovering the System

To perform a firmware recovery:

1. Power off the HD Spot Module.
   There is no power button on the HD Spot Module device. If you are unable to shut down using the toolbar at the bottom of the user interface due to firmware corruption issues, disconnect the power cable to the HD Spot Module.
   
   You will know that the device has powered off when there are no LED lights illuminated on the front panel of the HD Spot Module.
    
2. Insert the USB flash drive into one of the two USB ports of the device. USB port location varies, depending on the hardware generation of your HD Spot Module.
    
3. Power on the HD Spot Module.
   Reconnect the power cable to the device. The HD Spot Module will recognize power input and begin to boot.
   The NVR will begin running the recovery process from the USB flash drive automatically.

4. Once the firmware recovery program has completed, the HD Spot Module will reboot automatically.
   Disconnect the USB flash drive when the process is complete.

**NOTE: Following the recovery process, the HD Spot Module will have been factory defaulted and will be using an outdated firmware version (v1.3.5.2). Use the Startup Wizard to complete the initial setup process after allowing the unit to reboot. Click Here to download the Quick Setup Guide for the HD Spot Monitor Module.

Step 3: Upgrading Firmware

Follow the instructions below to update the HD Spot Module to its latest firmware build:

1. From a computer, open a web browser and visit the Digital Watchdog Resource Library.
   Select the Model Number of your HD Spot Module (DW-HDSPOTMOD or DW-HDSPOTMOD16) then click the “Search” button.
   The model information is located on the sticker, physically located on the underside of the HD Spot Module hardware.

2. Locate the “Firmware” section of the search results and download the correct firmware version for your HD Spot Module according to the hardware generation.

You can compare the new firmware version with the current firmware version on the device in the HD Spot Module’s System Information menu to confirm that you have the correct firmware generation.

• 1st Generation (firmware version starts with HS)
• 2nd Generation (firmware version starts with FS)
• 3rd Generation (firmware version starts with DW-HDSPOT)

3. Insert a blank USB flash drive into the computer and copy the update files to a blanks USB flash drive (FAT32 format).
   Ensure that the files are placed directly into the root directory of the USB drive. The system will be unable to locate the files if they are in a folder.
   Once the files have been copied to the USB flash drive, eject the flash drive from the computer.

**NOTE: If you have just completed a firmware recovery, please remove the firmware recovery files from the USB flash drive. Only the firmware update files should be present on the USB flash drive at the time of the firmware upgrade.

4. Insert the USB flash drive into the HD Spot Module.
   Log in to the HD Spot Module as the Admin or as a user with Administrator privileges.

• Default User: Admin
• Default Password: <no password>

5. At the HD Spot Module, right-click with the mouse and select the Setup Menu.
   Navigate to the System Information menu then click the Upgrade button (located next to the current firmware Version).
   
   Set the Method to "USB", then click the Scan button. The HD Spot Module will detect the USB and firmware update file.
   
   Click the Start button to begin the firmware upgrade. The upgrade process will be displayed in the Progress bar. Allow the device to download and install the update. Once the firmware upgrade is complete, the HD Spot Module will reboot automatically and begin to use the new firmware.

6. Remove the USB flash drive from the device once the update has completed and the unit has finished rebooting.

**NOTE: This completes the firmware recovery process. User and System settings will have been defaulted if you have performed a firmware recovery on the HD Spot Module.

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