FAQ & Troubleshooting

Help, FAQ & Troubleshooting

All the answers to master your JanusEye guardian

🛠️ Troubleshooting Common Issues

If the badges don't change color or you aren't receiving notifications, check these points in order:

1. Remote Access (Router/Internet Box)

  • Port Forwarding: Your router must forward the external port (e.g., 5000 or 443) to your Raspberry Pi's local IP.
  • Public IP or DNS: Verify that your DuckDNS or No-IP address points to your current public IP.
  • Firewall: Ensure your router's firewall allows incoming connections on the chosen port.

2. Permissions and System

  • Write Permissions: The JanusEye folder must be writeable.
    sudo chown -R user:user /home/user/JanusEye
  • Sudo Access: If the camera doesn't start, check if the januseye.service is active.

🖥️ JanusEye Control Commands

Enter these in the terminal after connecting via SSH:

  • Start JanusEye:
    sudo systemctl start januseye
  • Stop JanusEye:
    sudo systemctl stop januseye
  • Check Status:
    systemctl status januseye
  • View Real-time Logs:
    sudo journalctl -u januseye -f

3. Notifications (SMS & Email)

  • Free Mobile Account: Ensure the "SMS Notifications" option is enabled in your Free subscriber area (France).
  • App Passwords: For Gmail, you must create an "App Password" in your Google security settings.
 

🔑 Access and Security

 

What happens after 3 incorrect PIN attempts?

The system detects a potential intrusion. JanusEye immediately isolates the involved IP address and blocks all future access for this specific device.

How to regain access? Since the lockout is stored in the system's volatile memory (RAM) for enhanced security:

  • Option 1: Connect from a different computer or device (your IP will be different and therefore not blocked).
  • Option 2: Once logged in via another device, go to Settings and click "Restart Service" to reset the lockout list.
  • Option 3: As a last resort, manually restart the service via SSH using the following command: sudo systemctl restart januseye.service

I forgot my PIN code, what should I do?

Connect via SSH to your Raspberry Pi and edit the configuration file to read or change your secret code.

nano /home/user/JanusEye/config/januseye.conf
 

📹 Video & SSL Troubleshooting

Is the camera image black or frozen?

  • Is the camera ribbon cable properly seated (both on the Pi and the sensor side)?
  • Is "Legacy" mode enabled in your config.txt?
  • Use the test script: python3 test_camera.py.
 
"Mixed Content" Issue (Missing image over HTTPS)

If you are using an Apache Proxy, your page is in HTTPS but the video stream might stay blocked in HTTP. In your settings, use relative paths (/video_feed) to force it through the secure tunnel.

🖥️ Frequently Asked Questions

Will my SD card fill up?

No. JanusEye includes an Automatic Retention script. Old recordings are deleted every night to free up space.

The service doesn't stop when I get home, why?

The system waits until all registered occupants are present. If one phone is stuck on "absent" (dead battery), the camera stays active for safety.

Can I add a third phone?

Yes. Simply send a Webhook with a new name. It will automatically appear on the Dashboard.

Why are some history lines different colors?

This is a visual aid. Green indicates arming, Red indicates disarming or an alert. Blue is used for neutral information (presence detected when the service is already in the correct state) to avoid cluttering your attention.

 
⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTE: JanusEye is a private protection tool. IP ADDRESS recording and automatic blocking are strict measures to guarantee your privacy.
 

🚀 Expert Tip

Once everything is working, use the backup_januseye.sh script. In case of an SD card failure, you'll be back up in 30 seconds!

Need more help? Open a ticket on GitHub ↗

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