IKEA Tradfri - Batteries in the remote controls are quickly discharged

Niels_Kloster · May 9, 2022, 7:24am

Sonoff dongle and ZHA: I was hoping a simple firmware update to the Sonoff dongle would help (20220219) but the Ikea on/off button still drained in 2-3 days. I really don’t want to venture into deconz or z2mqtt unless it is a verified solution.

sparkydave · May 11, 2022, 12:34am

I use ZHA and it’s fine…with a Conbee2 ZigBee stick. I’ve said it many times on here, the issue is the Sonoff dongle.

mtrista · May 11, 2022, 12:53am

It’s not the Sonoff dongle. I have a HUSBZB-1 and have the same problem.

Sousanator · May 11, 2022, 1:47am

I have the HUSBZB-1 using ZHA and was also running into this problem until I upgraded the firmware on Tradfri devices and replaced their batteries.
I went from replacing the battery every week to going 3 months so far on the same battery for multiple Tradfris.

mtrista · May 11, 2022, 4:51am

What versions did you upgrade them to? I upgraded my wireless switches and shortcut buttons a couple months ago with no luck, also with the HUSBZB

k8gg · May 11, 2022, 9:45am

@mtrista / @Sousanator / @sparkydave / @Niels_Kloster / @LoryTurro / @ur7x / @jeeftor / @ajithprabhakar / @anshul10s
(Apologies in advance for the huge @ mention list, but hear me out… trying to help here…)

To get to the bottom, I guess saying “no problem here” or “same problem here” does not go far. I propose we all collect data and compare notes… Maybe we try this format…?

I have “the IKEA remote control battery drain” problem (Y/N):
My zigbee dongle (or hub or bridge) is:
Firmware version of the zigbee dongle:
HA controller stack (zha / z2m / conbee):
The version of the controller stack:
Name / model # of the IKEA Tradfri device:
Firmware version of the IKEA Tradfri device:
Other things to note (observations, battery drain rate, etc.):

The hope is that, by doing so, we can find the smoking gun. This would only help developers to address the issue if we contribute. And data from “problem solved” and “same problem here” cases are equally helpful.

Maybe someone somewhere else is collecting the data already? If so, let me know, I can help report what we have got here over to other place(s).

Hellis81 · May 11, 2022, 9:52am

I would advice this was set up as a survey monkey or google form or something so that it’s collected without doing manual work.

k8gg · May 11, 2022, 10:19am

Thought about that also, but let’s all stay here. It would not be a huge list / huge ask so should be manageable here.

Danny2100 · May 11, 2022, 10:33am

You don’t actually have to lose everything if you do a backup you can restore the network.

Hellis81 · May 11, 2022, 10:37am

I have “the IKEA remote control battery drain” problem (Y/N): N
My zigbee dongle (or hub or bridge) is: ConBee II
Firmware version of the zigbee dongle: See screenshot below
HA controller stack (zha / z2m / conbee): ZHA
The version of the controller stack: 2022.3.3
Name / model # of the IKEA Tradfri device: SYMFONISK Sound Controller (among others)
Firmware version of the IKEA Tradfri device: 0x21024631
Other things to note (observations, battery drain rate, etc.): Working fine. 6-7 months battery time with heavy usage

I have no clue what part is the firmware of the ConBee but this is what I see.

FloatingBoater · May 11, 2022, 4:04pm

I have “the IKEA remote control battery drain” problem (Y/N): Originally Yes, reset remote, No
My zigbee dongle (or hub or bridge) is: Sonoff v3
Firmware version of the zigbee dongle: Texas Instruments CC1352/CC2652, Z-Stack 3.30+ (build 20210708)
HA controller stack (zha / z2m / conbee): ZHA
The version of the controller stack: 2022.5.3
Name / model # of the IKEA Tradfri device: IKEA of Sweden TRADFRI remote control
Firmware version of the IKEA Tradfri device: 0x23014631
Other things to note (observations, battery drain rate, etc.):
- Originally, the IKEA 5-button remote only lasted 1-2 weeks before dropping off the network with a dead battery. The remote was about 1m from the Sonoff v3 USB radio with only 3x devices in total. Replacing the battery required full re-inclusion / re-configure device several times.
- About a month ago, the battery stopped being a problem.
  I added several Sonoff TH01 temp sensors, and a IKEA of Sweden TRADFRI control outlet located centrally to act as a mains powered router (originally to reduce external temp sensor battery drain).
  Things seem to work now - making the mesh more complex and adding mains powered devices seems to have changed the behavior.

ur7x · May 11, 2022, 4:20pm

I have “the IKEA remote control battery drain” problem: No, Not any more.
My zigbee dongle (or hub or bridge) is: Sonoff zigbee 3.0 usb dongle plus
Firmware version of the zigbee dongle: Z-Stack_3.x.0 20220219 (current one)
HA controller stack (zha / z2m / conbee): Z2M
The version of the controller stack: 1.25:1-1 (current)
Name / model # of the IKEA Tradfri device: E1757 (roller blind) E1766 (up down button)
Firmware version of the IKEA Tradfri device: Current 2.3.088, 2.3.079 (updated via Sonoff and Z2M )
Other things to note (observations, battery drain rate, etc.): Batter life back to “normal” on both buttons and blinds. Also working well with Aqara buttons. Currently supporting 9 blinds, 9 IKEA buttons, 9 IKEA repeaters and 2 Aqara buttons

ur7x · May 11, 2022, 5:01pm

Interesting, I could not get the Conbee II to work on ZHA… nor did I have any success with the HUSBZB stick (also on ZHA)… both drained batteries within a day or two… But when I tried the Sonoff updated with the latest stable firmware and switched to Z2M suddenly everything started to work. Every now and then one of my 9 roller blinds will not get the HA automation “close” command… but now that I have good buttons no big deal.

I’m guessing that certain devices and firmwares (dongle and buttons) work together and others don’t.
It also looks like the environment of your house also plays here (size, interference sources, repeaters, etc.) These all used to work great in SmartThings… SmartThings did a firmware update and then any button that used a repeater would die… If the button was in the room with the SmartThings Hub it would last a little longer. The Blinds were a joke and were dead within a month… they are supposed to last 6 months.

bl8demast3r · May 15, 2022, 8:05pm

Update on my previous post, like others I have switched to the Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 dongle on latest firmware with Zigbee2Mqtt and I no longer have the battery drain issue. All of my other devices switched over very easily.

k8gg · May 16, 2022, 9:23am

@bl8demast3r - Could you help document what you have, so that to help future users coming to this thread understand what a good / working baseline would be…?

I have “the IKEA remote control battery drain” problem (Y/N): No
My zigbee dongle (or hub or bridge) is: Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 dongle plus
Firmware version of the zigbee dongle:
HA controller stack (zha / z2m / conbee): Zigbee2Mqtt
The version of the controller stack:
Name / model # of the IKEA Tradfri device:
Firmware version of the IKEA Tradfri device:
Other things to note (observations, battery drain rate, etc.):

FloatingBoater · May 16, 2022, 12:25pm

After seeing other positive comments around the Sonoff ZigBee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus stick, it’s worth mentioning that my original Zigbee experiments with HASS used the Sonoff Zigbee ZBridge which has history. The HASS documentation says not recommended however there is a bit more detail behind this comment.

Certainly, my experience with the ZBridge and no mains-powered Zigbee devices was poor - lots of replacement batteries (1-2 weeks life for the IKEA 5-button remote), and lots of re-configuration of devices.
Adding a mains-powered IKEA switch to the mesh to act as a router/ repeater happened first, but perhaps replacing the ZBridge with a Sonoff ZigBee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus made the crucial difference to IKEA Tradfri battery life.

Basically, if you have a Sonoff ZBridge, my recommendation is to hit it with a hammer!

bl8demast3r · May 16, 2022, 2:23pm

@k8gg Sure no problem I have filled out the documentation below

I have “the IKEA remote control battery drain” problem (Y/N): No
My zigbee dongle (or hub or bridge) is: Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 dongle plus
Firmware version of the zigbee dongle: Z-Stack_3.x.0 20220219 I followed this guide here to update the firmware.
HA controller stack (zha / z2m / conbee): Zigbee2Mqtt
The version of the controller stack: 1.25.1 commit: 3f6a1378
Name / model # of the IKEA Tradfri device: IKEA TRADFRI Wireless dimmer E1743 (Ikea article number 104.085.98)
Firmware version of the IKEA Tradfri device: 2.3.079
Other things to note (observations, battery drain rate, etc.): Battery life as it should be, I’m very happy I get to use my switch now. I don’t think this matters much but I have Zigbee2MQTT running on a separate VM from my HAOS Nuc.

bverkron · May 24, 2022, 11:53pm

I have “the IKEA remote control battery drain” problem (Y/N): Not so far (see below).
My zigbee dongle (or hub or bridge) is: Conbee II
Firmware version of the zigbee dongle: Not sure but can try to find out.
HA controller stack (zha / z2m / conbee): ZHA
The version of the controller stack: Not sure where to look
Name / model # of the IKEA Tradfri device: IKEA Tradfri Remote E1810
Firmware version of the IKEA Tradfri device: 0x23014631
Other things to note (observations, battery drain rate, etc.): Been running several IKEA Tradfri Remotes for nearly 3 months and while the % jumps around a lot (drops to 16% then back up to the 47%, 74% or even 80-something%) they have not died. But OTHER zigbee devices drain fast. I have some SecurFi open/close sensors that lasted ~4-6 months with the original battery, then 8 months with Amazon basics but now despite trying 3-4 different replacement brands (Energizer, Duracell, Ikea, and even Amazon Basics again) they won’t last more than 1-3 months.

albertoh · May 25, 2022, 11:04pm

Watching the MQTT logs, it seems the IKEA Tradfri remotes are interacting with the receiver constantly. This might be equivalent to pressing buttons non-stop, which might be why batteries are draining so quickly (see the sample log below). If this interaction could be limited, I believe the battery drainage could be limited.

Message 61 received on homeassistant/device_automation/0x84ba20fffef6b07b/action_arrow_left_click/config at 7:03 PM:
{
    "automation_type": "trigger",
    "device": {
        "identifiers": [
            "zigbee2mqtt_0x84ba20fffef6b07b"
        ],
        "manufacturer": "IKEA",
        "model": "TRADFRI remote control (E1524/E1810)",
        "name": "Alberto IKEA Remote",
        "sw_version": "2.3.014"
    },
    "payload": "arrow_left_click",
    "subtype": "arrow_left_click",
    "topic": "zigbee2mqtt/Alberto IKEA Remote/action",
    "type": "action"
}
QoS: 0 - Retain: true
Message 60 received on homeassistant/device_automation/0x84ba20fffef6b07b/action_brightness_up_click/config at 7:03 PM:
{
    "automation_type": "trigger",
    "device": {
        "identifiers": [
            "zigbee2mqtt_0x84ba20fffef6b07b"
        ],
        "manufacturer": "IKEA",
        "model": "TRADFRI remote control (E1524/E1810)",
        "name": "Alberto IKEA Remote",
        "sw_version": "2.3.014"
    },
    "payload": "brightness_up_click",
    "subtype": "brightness_up_click",
    "topic": "zigbee2mqtt/Alberto IKEA Remote/action",
    "type": "action"
}
QoS: 0 - Retain: true
Message 59 received on homeassistant/device_automation/0x84ba20fffef6b07b/action_arrow_right_click/config at 7:03 PM:
{
    "automation_type": "trigger",
    "device": {
        "identifiers": [
            "zigbee2mqtt_0x84ba20fffef6b07b"
        ],
        "manufacturer": "IKEA",
        "model": "TRADFRI remote control (E1524/E1810)",
        "name": "Alberto IKEA Remote",
        "sw_version": "2.3.014"
    },
    "payload": "arrow_right_click",
    "subtype": "arrow_right_click",
    "topic": "zigbee2mqtt/Alberto IKEA Remote/action",
    "type": "action"
}
QoS: 0 - Retain: true
Message 58 received on homeassistant/device_automation/0x84ba20fffef6b07b/action_toggle/config at 7:03 PM:
{
    "automation_type": "trigger",
    "device": {
        "identifiers": [
            "zigbee2mqtt_0x84ba20fffef6b07b"
        ],
        "manufacturer": "IKEA",
        "model": "TRADFRI remote control (E1524/E1810)",
        "name": "Alberto IKEA Remote",
        "sw_version": "2.3.014"
    },
    "payload": "toggle",
    "subtype": "toggle",
    "topic": "zigbee2mqtt/Alberto IKEA Remote/action",
    "type": "action"
}
QoS: 0 - Retain: true
Message 57 received on homeassistant/device_automation/0x84ba20fffe9790a9/action_arrow_left_click/config at 7:03 PM:
{
    "automation_type": "trigger",
    "device": {
        "identifiers": [
            "zigbee2mqtt_0x84ba20fffe9790a9"
        ],
        "manufacturer": "IKEA",
        "model": "TRADFRI remote control (E1524/E1810)",
        "name": "Irina IKEA Remote",
        "sw_version": "2.3.014"
    },
    "payload": "arrow_left_click",
    "subtype": "arrow_left_click",
    "topic": "zigbee2mqtt/Irina IKEA Remote/action",
    "type": "action"
}
QoS: 0 - Retain: true
Message 56 received on homeassistant/device_automation/0x84ba20fffe9790a9/action_brightness_down_click/config at 7:03 PM:
{
    "automation_type": "trigger",
    "device": {
        "identifiers": [
            "zigbee2mqtt_0x84ba20fffe9790a9"
        ],
        "manufacturer": "IKEA",
        "model": "TRADFRI remote control (E1524/E1810)",
        "name": "Irina IKEA Remote",
        "sw_version": "2.3.014"
    },
    "payload": "brightness_down_click",
    "subtype": "brightness_down_click",
    "topic": "zigbee2mqtt/Irina IKEA Remote/action",
    "type": "action"
}
QoS: 0 - Retain: true
Message 55 received on homeassistant/device_automation/0x84ba20fffe9790a9/action_brightness_up_click/config at 7:03 PM:
{
    "automation_type": "trigger",
    "device": {
        "identifiers": [
            "zigbee2mqtt_0x84ba20fffe9790a9"
        ],
        "manufacturer": "IKEA",
        "model": "TRADFRI remote control (E1524/E1810)",
        "name": "Irina IKEA Remote",
        "sw_version": "2.3.014"
    },
    "payload": "brightness_up_click",
    "subtype": "brightness_up_click",
    "topic": "zigbee2mqtt/Irina IKEA Remote/action",
    "type": "action"
}
QoS: 0 - Retain: true

That’s just a sample.

k8gg · May 25, 2022, 11:30pm

Hello Alberto - Do you mind sharing what you have? See my post #351 above - We are trying to collect data.