Hi all. Long time user. My HA system runs on a RP4 with an Aeotec Z-Stick Gen 5 USB controller. I have a variety of devices from different manufacturers, like most I would assume, LIFX, WIZ, Phillips Hue, Aeotec, TP-Link/KASA etc.
I use Google Assistant via Nabu Casa.
I constantly experience devices being not available. Not the same device, not the same time. On time Ill look at my webpage and see a light unavailable. Five minutes later it shows as accessible. Often Ill use voice control and Google Assistant says it doesnt know what device Im talking about. Ill repeat the same command 3 or 4 times and then it works. Other times Ill run a routine and some lights wont turn off. Run it a day later and different lights dont work. Just now Im looking at the relevant lovelace page and two devices show as unavailable, then 1 by one they became available again.
Overall its annoying. It often breaks routines. Its annoying enough that my wife doesnt use it anymore, she just asks me to turn a light on or off.
Im wanting to fix this issue. I am wondering if moving to a HA Yellow would help? I really like the HA function but recently Im more annoyed by it and think that getting up and flicking a switch or such would be less hassle.
And ideas as to how to identify why this is occuring and how to go about fixing it?
So assuming your Pi is running OK otherwise, this sounds to me like a network problem but not really much to go on.
You would need to look at some of the traces of automations that do not work as expected, logs for what kind of errors, etc.
Just saying random things sometimes don’t work is not a fixable problem I’m afraid.
I assume it means Admin for the topic created by me?
I know its not much to go on. There are no notifications in the Notifications tab.
The logbook shows entries like:
Study Lamp Top turned on
3:48:40 PM - 7 minutes ago
Study Lamp Top became unavailable
3:48:12 PM - 7 minutes ago
Study Lamp Top turned on
3:47:50 PM - 7 minutes ago
Study Lamp Top became unavailable
3:45:16 PM - 10 minutes ago
Study Desk Lamp turned on
3:44:15 PM - 11 minutes ago
Study Desk Lamp became unavailable
3:42:45 PM - 12 minutes ago
Study Desk Lamp turned on
3:41:46 PM - 13 minutes ago
Study Desk Lamp became unavailable
3:41:04 PM - 14 minutes ago
Study Desk Lamp turned on
3:40:34 PM - 15 minutes ago
I triggered none of these nor did the lights go on or off.
The routines run fine. Its the voice control that’s flaky. I dont see any log entries indicating a problem with HA when a voice command is used. It seems like there is a problem with the connection between Google Assistant and HA. Its Google Assistant reporting no such device, or that device is not responding. Usually I can pick up my phone and turn the light on or off using HA or the devices relevant app. Even if Google Assistant is telling me no such device exists.
Occasionally, a few times a week, a device wont function with an automation but the next time an automation runs it works. I know last night one of the bedroom lights didnt turn off with voice command but the logbook doesnt show an entry for the relevant light.