I have just replaced a Sonoff wi-fi Relay which controls my bedroom downlights with a Zigbee one. It has installed OK and I have assigned it to the correct area. I then exposed the main entity to Alexa in Voice Assistants settings and it immediately appeared in the Alexa app.
However whilst I can turn it on an off in both HA and Alexa app, it no longer responds to voice control. If I now say “Alexa bedroom lights on” it gives the acknowledgement tone, as if trying, but nothing happens.
I am wondering if I need to expose more entities. Here is the list of available additional entities to expose
Switch is not a light
Use helper to change it into light in HA or I think in Alexa you can change it into a light
Thanks @tmjpugh . I had already done that in Alexa. However it made no difference. I think part of the problem may have been that I had forgotten to remove the Wi-Fi Sonoff device from the Sonoff custom integration and had two devices with effectively the same name.
I had to completely remove the zigbee device because it stayed on and could not be controlled through Alexa or Home Assistant or even the external switch. I will add it back again and retry.
Thanks
HA UI >> system >> settings >> devices and services >> helpers (tab at top of screen) >> create helper >> change device type of switch
If this device is actually a light you should use helpers to change it to a light. It corrects its appearance in UI and allows HA voice to properly control it. It will also ensure Amazon see it as a light. Since you are newly adding the device now is good opportunity to prevent what could be long term trouble.
Many thanks @tmjpugh that has finally resolved it. I had to remove the exposure in Voice Assistant and then remove the zigbee relay from Z2M and reboot the system. I then added the relay back and re-exposed the entity in Voice Assistant (which incidentally shows a phantom bedroom light (see below). It then showed in the Alexa app but was not controllable. As soon as I added the helper Alexa asked where the new light was and it all work again.
Incidentally do you have to add a helper to all mechanical relays which operate a light? I have an Aurora dimmer on my Spotlights and that works ok with Alexa as do my bedroom LEDs which are on a RGBW dimmer? Should I add helpers to both of these?
Not sure where to find this Ghost device. It could be left in a yaml file somewhere perhaps the Sonoff integration?? Would spook find it?
It is best that you do.
Light and switch are treated differently by assist. There are other small areas where it matters( creating automations for one)
These should already be lights.
HA UI >> settings >> devices and services >> entities (tab at top on PC and bottom in APP next to helpers)
Many thanks @tmjpugh I appreciate your help and advice.