Configure Manual Remote Access for Insteon Wi-Fi Cameras

 

When configuring Insteon Wi-Fi Cameras, you may be presented with a message stating that you need to configure port forwarding on your router to see your camera when you are away from home. There are several reasons why this may occur.

 

Previously Configured Insteon HD Wi-Fi Cameras

When adding an Insteon HD Wi-Fi Camera that has already been configured with a user name and password, the Insteon app does not alter any camera settings or attempt to configure Automatic Remote Access. Follow the steps in this article If you would like to enable Automatic Remote Access.

 

Configure Manual Remote Access with Port Forwarding

About Port Forwarding

Port forwarding is a process involving your home's router that allows you to access devices within your home when you are not using your home's Wi-Fi network.

Your home router creates a barrier that prevents your smartphone from talking directly to your Insteon Wi-Fi cameras. Port forwarding opens a door in your router's firewall for a specific function, in this case, access to your Wi-Fi cameras. This procedure needs to be performed for each Wi-Fi camera that you  intend to access from outside your home's Wi-Fi network.

 

Port Forwarding Instructions

Insteon Support has compiled instructions that should help you configure routers that you are likely to have in your home.

Because every router is different and manufacturers are constantly making changes, the steps outlined in these articles may not perfectly match the steps required for your particular router. If you don't see your router brand listed or if you feel uncomfortable with the instructions, contact Insteon Support for further assistance.

 

For step-by-step instructions, choose your router brand:

Dynamic DNS Services

In addition to configuring your camera and router for port forwarding, you will need to configure a Dynamic DNS Service to ensure reliable access to your camera when you are away from home. Learn more about Dynamic DNS Services and Insteon Wi-Fi Cameras by reading this article.

 
 

Unable to Configure Automatic Remote Access

 
 
 

When configuring an Insteon HD Wi-Fi Camera, you may encounter an alert stating that there was an issue configuring automatic remote access. There are several reasons why this may occur.

  • Your home's internet connection is offline

  • Your home's internet router or modem is not functioning properly

  • Your home has more than one router resulting in a Double- or Triple-NAT

  • Your home's router is incompatible with the Automatic Remote Access feature

  • In corporate or school environments, your organizations firewall and security settings may prevent Automatic Remote Access

  • Your Insteon HD Wi-Fi Camera may require a firmware update. Learn more about updating your Wi-Fi Camera's firmware.

  • Automatic Remote Access is not available on standard-definition Insteon Wi-Fi Cameras, standard-definition Insteon Outdoor Wi-Fi Cameras or Insteon HD Outdoor Wi-Fi Cameras that do not have a UID number printed on the rear of the camera housing.
 

Basic Troubleshooting

  1. Confirm that your internet router and cable or DSL modem are connected to power and turned on. Learn how to Identify your router and cable or DSL modem.

  2. Check that your internet connection is working by attempting to browse to a website using another device or computer in your home.

  3. Try restarting your router and cable or DSL modem.

  4. If your home has more than one router, connect Insteon Wi-Fi Camera to the router connected directly to your cable or DSL modem. If your Internet Service Provider has issued you a combined modem and router, connect Insteon Wi-Fi Camera to this device and attempt setup again.

  5. If you believe that your router is preventing Automatic Remote Access, you can try updating your router's firmware. Follow the instructions provided by your router manufacture.

  6. If you are attempting to setup an Insteon Wi-Fi Camera in a corporate or school setting, your IT department may have blocked the ports necessary for Automatic Remote Access to function. Contact your system administrator if you believe this to be the case.

If you are unable to alter your networking environment to enable Automatic Remote Access, you can still configure manual remote access using port forwarding.

 

Configuring Automatic Remote Access After Initial Camera Setup

You can enable Automatic Remote Access after adding your Insteon Wi-Fi Camera from camera settings.

Instructions for iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
Instructions for Android

iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Step 1

Navigate to Settings

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Step 2

Tap Devices

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Step 3

Select your HD Wi-Fi Camera from the list of devices

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Step 4

Scroll to the bottom of the camera settings and tap the switch to enable Automatic Remote Access.

Your camera will attempt to configure Automatic Remote Access. If your camera is unable to configure Automatic Remote Access, you will have to configure remote access manually using port forwarding on your router.

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Android

Step 1

Navigate to Settings by tapping the Settings button and then selecting Edit Settings

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Step 2

Tap Devices

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Step 3

Select your HD Wi-Fi Camera from the list of devices

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Step 4

Scroll to the bottom of the camera settings and tap the switch to enable Automatic Remote Access.

Your camera will attempt to configure Automatic Remote Access. If your camera is unable to configure Automatic Remote Access, you will have to configure remote access manually using port forwarding on your router.

 
 

Ethernet Cable Still Connected When Configuring Wi-Fi

 
 
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When configuring an Insteon Wi-Fi Camera to use Wi-Fi, you may encounter an alert informing you that the ethernet cable is still connected to your camera. Insteon Wi-Fi Cameras can use ethernet or Wi-Fi to connect to your network, but not both simultaneously.

 

Basic Troubleshooting

Step 1

Tap Try Again to dismiss the alert

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Step 2

Disconnect your camera's ethernet cable and power cable

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Step 3

Restart your camera by reconnecting your camera's power cable

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Step 4

Tap Next to begin searching for your Insteon Wi-Fi Camera.

Your camera will restart. Insteon HD Cameras restart in about 30 seconds. Insteon SD Cameras can take up to 2 minutes to restart.

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Connect to Wi-Fi When Adding an Insteon Wi-Fi Camera

 
 
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When setting up an Insteon Wi-Fi Camera, you may encounter an alert informing you to connect to your home's Wi-Fi network and attempt setup again.

If you are attempting to add a camera that is not on your local Wi-Fi network using the Add a Remote Camera feature, you must be connected to a Wi-Fi network before proceeding.

 

Step 1

Tap the Home button on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and navigate to settings.

Step 2

Tap Wi-Fi

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Step 3

Ensure Wi-Fi is on and tap your Wi-Fi network.

If you have more than one Wi-Fi router, it is important to join the Wi-Fi network created by the router into which your Insteon Wi-Fi camera is connected. Learn more about identifying your home's Wi-Fi router.

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Step 4

Tap the Home button on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and return to the Insteon app to resume camera setup.

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Factory Reset an Insteon Wi-Fi Camera

 

If you are unable to connect to your Insteon Wi-Fi Camera, have forgotten your camera's user name and or password or otherwise wish to reset your Wi-Fi Camera to factory settings with the default user name and password.

 

Factory reset your Insteon Wi-Fi Camera

  1. Connect your camera to your router using an ethernet cable.
  2. Ensure your camera is connected to power.
  3. Use a straightened paperclip to press and hold the recessed reset button for 10 seconds. If your camera was connected to power less than 60 seconds prior to attempting a factory reset, you may need to wait for the camera to completely start up before you can attempt the factory reset.
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On Insteon Wi-Fi Cameras and Insteon HD Wi-Fi Cameras, the reset button is located on the bottom of the camera housing.

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On Insteon Outdoor Wi-Fi Cameras and Insteon HD Outdoor Wi-Fi Cameras, the reset button is located at the end of the combined power and data cable.

 

Additional Information

Factory resetting your camera will restore these settings to default:

  1. Basic Settings
    • Camera Name
    • Logs
    • Camera Time settings including time zone and NTP options
    • User Accounts and Passwords. After resetting your camera, your camera's user name will be "admin" and the password will be blank
    • Multi-camera configuration (HD Cameras only)
  2. Network Settings
    • IP Address settings
    • After resetting your camera, your camera will use DHCP to obtain an IP Address
    • Wi-Fi Settings
    • Configured PPPoE settings
    • DDNS settings
    • UPnP Settings
    • Custom port settings
    • Email alert settings
    • FTP upload settings
    • Automatic Remote Access settings. After resetting your camera, Automatic Remote Access will default to enabled.
    • Camera firewall settings
  3. Video Settings
    • Video timestamp and on-screen display
    • Configured privacy zones
    • Configured snapshot settings
    • Configured IR LED schedule
  4. Alarm Settings
    • Configured motion detection settings
  5. Recording Settings
    • FTP upload settings
    • Alarm recording settings
    • Local alarm settings
    • Scheduled recording settings
  6. Pan and Tilt Settings (Indoor Cameras only)
    • Pan and tilt speed
    • Cruise settings
    • Power-on position settings
 
 

Insteon Wi-Fi Camera Not Found During Initial Setup

 
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When initially setting up your Insteon Wi-Fi Camera, you may encounter a message informing you that the app was unable to locate any cameras on your network. There are several reasons why this may occur.

  • Your Insteon Wi-Fi Camera is not connected to power

  • Your Insteon Wi-Fi Camera is not connected to your router with an ethernet cable

  • Your home's internet router or modem is not functioning properly

If you see a list already-configured cameras, ensure that you are connected to the correct Wi-Fi network. The Insteon app will display any Insteon cameras found on the connected Wi-Fi network, even if those cameras are already configured.

 

Basic Troubleshooting

  1. Ensure that your Insteon Wi-Fi Camera is connected to a working power outlet and that the ethernet cable is firmly seated. It may be helpful to unplug and reinsert the ethernet cable. If your the LEDs above the ethernet port on the rear of the camera are not illuminated, your Wi-Fi Camera is not connected to a functioning ethernet port on your router. Indoor Insteon Wi-Fi Cameras should initiate a motor test about 10 to 30 seconds after connecting to power.

  2. Try restarting your Insteon Wi-Fi Camera by unplugging its power cord. Wait about 30 seconds and then reconnect your camera to power.

  3. Ensure that your smartphone or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Insteon Wi-Fi Camera.

  4. Confirm that your internet router and cable or DSL modem are connected to power and turned on. Learn how to Identify your router and cable or DSL modem.

  5. Check that your Wi-Fi router is working by attempting to browse to a website using another device or computer in your home.

  6. Try restarting your router and cable or DSL modem.

If none of the above steps resolved your issue, follow the steps outlined in this article to perform a factory reset.

Identify your Air Conditioning System Type

 

There are many types of heating and cooling systems found in residential and commercial settings. Use the information in this article to help identify your system type and what Insteon devices can be used for control.

 
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Window Units

Window Air Conditioning Systems are typically installed in an open window and usually connect to power with a 110V or possibly 220V power cord. As these systems usually have an integrated thermostat, they are incompatible with Insteon Thermostat.

If your system resumes cooling or heating after being disconnected from power, you may be able to control it with an Insteon On/Off Module and Wireless Thermostat.

 

Mini-Split (Ductless) Systems

Mini-Split or ductless systems place one or several indoor units in your home that connect to an outdoor compressor. These systems usually operate as a heat pump.

Most mini-split systems are usually supplied with a proprietary, integrated thermostat and as such, are incompatible with Insteon Thermostat. If your system offers an adapter to connect 3rd-party 24V thermostats, it may be compatible with Insteon Thermostat for Heat Pumps.

 

Central Air Conditioning

Most standard central air conditioning systems consist of an indoor air handler and furnace as well as an outdoor compressor. Small vent registers are located throughout the home with ducting returning to the central air handler.

  • Insteon Thermostat is compatible with the majority of central air conditioning systems that have one or two cooling stages and one or two heating stages.
  • Insteon Thermostat for Heat Pumps is compatible with the majority of heat pump systems including those with auxiliary or emergency heat.

As these systems can vary greatly, it is best to inspect the wires connected to your existing thermostat.

Conventional Central System

  • Look for a white wire connected to W or W1 on your existing thermostat
  • Look for a yellow wire connected to Y or Y1 on your existing thermostat

Heat Pump System

  • Look for a brown or orange wire connected to O/B, W or W1
  • If you have wires connected to terminals labeled E or AUX and those terminals do not have any additional labels, you likely have a heat pump
  • If your home is "all electric" and lacks utilities for gas or propane and you have a central heating and cooling system, you likely have a heat pump
  • If your home uses a geothermal system, you likely have a heat pump

The colors of wires in your home may vary. If you are still uncertain, search for the brand and model number of the large condenser unit outside on the internet. 

 
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Portable Units

Portable units can be moved from room to room and usually connect to power with a 110V or possibly 220V power cord. As these systems usually have an integrated thermostat, they are incompatible with Insteon Thermostat.

If your system resumes cooling or heating after being disconnected from power, you may be able to control it with an Insteon On/Off Module and Wireless Thermostat.

 

Millivolt Heaters

Direct-vent millivolt heaters are usually older single-room systems that are controlled by a 2-wire or battery-powered thermostat. Some are large and mounted on a wall, others may be integrated into a floor register. Examining the thermostat, you should find only a red and white wire.

As these systems do not supply power, they are incompatible with Insteon Thermostat without additional products.

You may be able to control this type of heating system with Insteon:

 

Electric Baseboard Heaters and Line Voltage Systems

Electric baseboard heaters are usually long and shallow metal enclosures located along the baseboard throughout rooms in your home, controlled by a thermostat or wall switch located in the same room. Some line voltage systems may also be enclosed in a wall vent with a blower fan.

Examining the thermostat, you should find thick wires connected with wire nuts. You may also see labels warning 110V, 220V, or high voltage.

These systems are not compatible with Insteon Thermostat but may be controllable using other Insteon devices.

If the heater load is less than 17A, you may be able to control this heater with an Insteon On/Off Switch and Wireless Thermostat.

 
 

Control Insteon Devices from your Logitech Harmony Hub

 

With Insteon Hub (2245-222) and Harmony Ultimate Home, Harmony Home Control or Harmony Home Hub, you can integrate your Insteon-controlled lights and appliances with your home entertainment system.

 

Add Insteon Hub to the Harmony App

Step 1

Launch the Harmony app on your smartphone and navigate to Devices. Tap the Edit Devices button.

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Step 2

Tap the + Device button.

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Step 3

Tap Home Control

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Step 4

Tap Insteon Hub

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Step 5

To connect your Insteon Hub to your Harmony Hub, you will need to enter your Insteon account information. Tap Sign In.

 

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Step 6

Enter your Insteon account user name and password.

 

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Step 7

After a few moments, you will see a list of supported Insteon devices that can be used in Harmony activities.

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Configuring On/Off Devices

If your home includes On/Off devices like On/Off Outlet or On/Off Module, Harmony requires that you categorize the controlled device as either a Light or a Plug.

Step 1

To specify the type of controlled device, tap the device name.

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Step 2

Tap Lights or Plugs to change the Harmony's categorization for that device.

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Control Insteon Devices from Logitech Harmony Home Control Buttons

 

With Insteon Hub (2245-222) and Harmony Ultimate Home Control or Harmony Home Hub, you can control Insteon lights and appliances directly from your remote control using the Home Control buttons.

 

Assign Insteon Devices to your Remote's Home Control Buttons

Step 1

From the Harmony app, open the settings drawer

Step 2

Tap Harmony Setup

Step 3

Tap Add/Edit Devices & Activities

Step 4

From the Settings screen, scroll down and select Remote & Hub

Step 5

Tap Harmony Home Control Button Customization

Step 6

Tap Home Control Buttons

Step 7

Tap the button for which you would like to assign an Insteon device and then tap the Assign button to chose an Insteon light or appliance.

Repeat these steps for the four Home Control buttons and, when finished, tap the next arrow.

 
 

Include Insteon Devices in Logitech Harmony Activities

 

After you have added Insteon Hub to your Harmony Home Ultimate, Harmony Home Control or Harmony Home Hub, you can add Insteon devices to your Harmony Activities.

 

Add Insteon Devices to a Harmony Activity

Insteon devices can be added when you create a new Harmony activity or added to an existing activity. These instructions show you how to add Insteon devices to an existing Harmony activity.

Step 1

From the Activities tab in the Harmony app, tap Edit Activities.

Step 2

Tap the activity for which you would like to add Insteon devices.

Step 3

On the Activity Summary screen, scroll down and tap Re-Run Activity.

Step 4

Tap the checkbox for each Insteon device that you would like to include.

Step 5

Follow the on-screen instructions to move through the setup wizard until you reach Adjusting Devices.

 

Tap the checkbox for each device that you would like to include when your activity starts.

Step 6

Adjust the devices to their desired states, making sure to tap the power symbol if you want the light or appliance on. To brighten or dim a light, drag the vertical black line between low and high.

Step 7

You can chose when Harmony will control these devices by tapping the When to Adjust button. 

Step 8

Tap the next arrow and repeat the adjustment steps for when your activity ends. When finished, tap the next arrow to save your changes and complete setup.

 
 

No Insteon Devices found when Adding Insteon Hub to Logitech Harmony Home

 

You may occasionally encounter a message informing you that Harmony Hub couldn't find any supported devices in your Insteon Hub account. There are several reasons why this might occur.

  • You don't have any devices setup with your Insteon Hub
  • You don't have any controllable devices setup with your Insteon Hub
  • An error may have occurred while downloading your Insteon Hub configuration
 

Refresh your Insteon Hub Devices

Step 1

Tap Refresh / Re-Login

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Step 2

Wait while Harmony Hub discovers your Insteon devices. If Harmony still doesn't discover any devices, try removing and re-adding Insteon Hub from the Harmony app.

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Supported Insteon Devices with Logitech Harmony

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While Logitech Harmony Home supports control and monitoring of many Insteon devices, not all devices are supported and some devices may not support all features. Use the table below to identify if your device is supported.

Logitech Harmony Home requires Insteon Hub (2245-222).

Identify your model of Insteon Hub

 
Device Supported in Harmony
Dimmer Module Supported
On/Off Module Supported
Outdoor On/Off Module Supported
LED Bulb (A19)

Supported
LED Bulb for Recessed Lights (PAR38)

Supported
Dimmer Switch Supported
Dimmer Switch (1000W) Supported
Dimmer Switch (2-Wire) Supported
On/Off Switch Supported
Dimmer Toggle Switch Supported
On/Off Toggle Switch Supported
Dimmer Keypad (6-Button) Controls connected light only
Dimmer Keypad (8-Button) Controls connected light only
On/Off Keypad (6-Button) Controls connected light only
On/Off Keypad (8-Button) Controls connected light only
Dimmer Outlet Supported
On/Off Outlet (2011) Supported
On/Off Outlet (2014) Controls top outlet only
Wired Thermostat -
Wireless Thermostat -
Venstar Thermostat Adapter -
Ceiling Fan Controller Controls connected light only
Dimmer DIN Rail Module Supported
On/Off DIN Rail Module Supported
Dimmer Micro Module Supported
On/Off Micro Module Supported
Open/Close Micro Module -
0-10V Ballast Dimmer Supported
Dimmer In-Line Module Supported
On/Off In-Line Module Supported
220V Load Controller (Normally Open) -
220V Load Controller (Normally Closed) -
WiFi Cameras -
Open/Close Sensor Monitoring only. Not currently supported as an activity trigger.
Hidden Door Sensor Monitoring only. Not currently supported as an activity trigger.
Motion Sensor Monitoring only. Not currently supported as an activity trigger.
Leak Sensor Monitoring only. Not currently supported as an activity trigger.
Smoke Bridge -
IO Module -
Mini Remotes -
Door Lock and Deadbolt Controller -
IR Transmitter -
IR Receiever -
Serial Bridge -
iMeter Solo -
SynchroLinc -
 

Incorrect Account User Name or Password during Hub Setup

 
 
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You may occasionally encounter an alert informing you that your account user name or password is incorrect during initial Insteon Hub setup. There are several reasons why this might occur.

  • The user name or password was mistyped.
  • The user name or password has been changed since the last login with the Insteon app.
  • Your account entry in Insteon's database may be damaged and need to be recreated.
 

Resolution

If you encounter this message while attempting to add an Insteon Hub for the first time, please contact Insteon support and reference this article.

If you encounter this message while attempting to add a second Insteon Hub, try signing out of the Insteon app and then begin the add process again. If you still encounter this message, please contact Insteon support and reference this article.

 
 

Connect to Wi-Fi and Scan the QR Code Again

 
 
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When setting up an Insteon Hub (2014) for the first time, you may encounter an alert informing you to connect to your home's WiFi network and scan the QR code again. This alert will appear for Insteon Hubs with firmware versions 1005 and prior.

 

Step 1

Tap the Home button on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and navigate to settings.

Step 2

Tap WiFI

Step 3

Ensure WiFi is on and tap your home's WiFi network.

If you have more than one WiFi router, it is important to join the WiFi network created by the router into which your Insteon Hub is connected. Learn more about identifying your home's WiFi router.

Step 4

Tap the Home button on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and return to the Insteon app.

 
 

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