How to Set Up Your Logitech Harmony Elite

What's in the Box

The Logitech Harmony Elite is an advanced universal remote control system that combines a touch-screen remote, a hub, and voice control capabilities. Inside the box, you'll find the Harmony Elite remote with a color touch screen, the Harmony Hub (the brains of the system), a charging station for the remote, a USB charging cable, an IR mini blaster, two AA batteries for the remote, and a quick start guide. The Harmony Elite can control up to 15 entertainment and smart home devices using infrared, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.

Prerequisites

Before setup, make sure you have:

• A smartphone or tablet with the Harmony app installed (iOS or Android)
• A Wi-Fi network and the network password
• Your entertainment devices powered on and accessible (TV, receiver, streaming box, game console, etc.)
• Knowledge of your device brands and model numbers for quick configuration
• A clear line of sight from the Hub's location to your IR-controlled devices, or the IR mini blaster positioned near enclosed cabinets

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Place the Harmony Hub in your entertainment center, facing your devices. The Hub sends IR signals to control your equipment, so it needs line of sight to IR receivers. If your components are behind cabinet doors, use the included IR mini blaster — plug it into the Hub and position it inside the cabinet.
2. Connect the Hub to power using the included USB cable and a USB power adapter (or a USB port on your TV or receiver). The Hub's LED will begin flashing, indicating it's ready for setup.
3. Open the Harmony app on your phone. Create a Logitech account or sign in. The app will guide you through connecting the Hub to your Wi-Fi network.
4. Add your devices to the Harmony system. The app has a database of over 270,000 devices. Search for each device by manufacturer and model number. The app will download the correct IR codes and control profiles for each one.
5. Create Activities. An Activity is a one-touch command that turns on multiple devices and sets them to the right inputs. For example, a "Watch TV" Activity might turn on your TV, switch it to HDMI 2, power on your soundbar, and set it to the optical input. The app walks you through creating each Activity step by step.
6. Place the remote on the charging station to charge it. Insert the AA batteries as backup power. While charging, customize the remote's touch screen layout and button assignments through the Harmony app.

App Pairing and Remote Configuration

The Harmony Elite remote syncs with the Hub via RF (radio frequency), not IR, so the remote doesn't need line of sight to the Hub. The Hub receives commands from the remote and relays them to your devices. In the Harmony app, you can customize the touch screen with your favorite channels, adjust button mappings for each Activity, and fine-tune IR timing if a device isn't responding correctly. The remote's motion sensor wakes the screen when you pick it up, showing context-sensitive controls for the current Activity.

Smart Home Integration Tips

• The Harmony Hub integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control. Say "Alexa, turn on Watch TV" to trigger your Activities without reaching for the remote.
• Connect smart home devices like Philips Hue lights, smart plugs, and thermostats directly through the Harmony app. Create Activities that dim lights and set the thermostat when you start "Movie Night."
• The Harmony Elite works with Home Assistant and other home automation platforms through the Harmony Hub's local API, allowing you to incorporate entertainment control into broader whole-home automations.
• Use the Harmony app as a secondary remote on your phone when the physical remote isn't handy — it provides the same touch screen controls and Activity triggers.

Quick Troubleshooting

If a device doesn't respond to the remote, verify the Hub has line of sight to the device's IR receiver. Adjust the IR mini blaster position if components are enclosed. If an Activity doesn't set inputs correctly, edit the Activity in the Harmony app and adjust the input switching sequence or add delay between commands for slower devices. If the remote loses connection to the Hub, remove and reinsert the batteries, then let it reconnect. For persistent Wi-Fi disconnections on the Hub, assign it a static IP address in your router settings to prevent DHCP conflicts.