I’ve got a new dongle on order and it was listed as having Z-Stack pre-flashed. Do I need to consider doing any flashing as mentioned in this thread before I start using it or go ahead and set things up with what it was flashed with?
It is not an absolute must but yes it is generally recommended to upgrade the firmware before you start using it the very first time (since they still ship them with a very old firmware with many known bugs that have been fixed in newer versions), …however also note the tip that it then also generally recommended to update again and again later if and when you have issues with any devices as future versions can contain bug fixes for issues with devices that have not yet been released yet, (so after the initial firmware update you can follow the rule “if it ain’t broke then don’t fix it”) see:
https://github.com/Koenkk/Z-Stack-firmware
and
https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/guide/adapters/#flashing-cc1352-cc2652-cc2538-based-adapters
PS: Other than upgrading Zigbee Coordinator firmware the very first time, another tip is that the “if it ain’t broke then don’t fix it" rule also applies to other Zigbee devices too (for example the IKEA Trådfri Zigbee devices having problems with latest firmware so better not to upgrade firmware if not having any issues).
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@Hedda thanks. I was able to easily use the ti-cc-tool Docker image to flash the latest Z-Stack. I got it plugged into my Raspberry Pi on and extension and got my entire Zigbee network migrated over to it with almost no effort.
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for the record : may 2024 , on a raspberry pi 5 , i stuck it in a usb 3.0 port when i got it, and put a 2 meter usb3(blue…) extension in it when i read that was the thing to do, and it works just fine. Matter o fact when i re-plugged it into 2.0 trying to fig the herdsman error for 2mqtt it seems i had to manually reconfigure the whole thing and nothing worked anymore so i plugged it back into the original 3.0 and i had to kinda manually reconfigure it again, which worked fine up until the point where i choose “keep network settings” then i get “an” error … which apparently is fixed by after that point rebooting
this really is like doing linux in the 1990s …
so stuff might need revisiing in '24 for ra-pi 5s … i dont know and im by no means an expert but it works fine in a 3.0 slot
You only have to change the port configuration when moving it between different USB ports if you have not configurated the seriel device path as /dev/serial/by-id/
So suggest changing path in the configuration from /dev/ttyUSB0 to /dev/serial/by-id/ path as that will not change if change USB ports or add other USB devices.
Do not combine USB 3.0 port with a USB 3.0 cable as you will then get EMI interference. Use either a USB 2.0 port or a USB 2.0 cable (or both) to avoid EMI interference from USB 3. In fact, do not even place it close to other USB devices or cables. See:
Which include link to
And
Just jumped into the game and have a P with 20210708 loaded. However I want to go mainly with IKEA Tradfri Switches and Plugs for the beginning.
What is the latest stable Zstack recommended which does not have trouble with IKEA ?
It is newer IKEA device firmware updates that are known to cause issues so just do not update firmware on your IKEA devices unless you are already having major problems with them, (you really should not try to fix what is not broken, at least not when it comes to IKEA devices Zigbee firmware as IKEA’s newer firmware is known to have problems), but that is enough discussion about that in this thread, (please start a new thread if you want to discuss that more).
As for this Zigbee Coordinator adapter (which is what this thread is only about), as long as you follow other best practices then the latest Z-Stack Zigbee Coordinator version from Koenkk’s master branch is generally what is recommend for all CC2652/CC2652P based radio adapters, see → Z-Stack-firmware/coordinator/Z-Stack_3.x.0/bin at master · Koenkk/Z-Stack-firmware · GitHub
Again, first also make sure that you do your best to try to follow follow all other best practice tips as per this guide as it tella how to avoid the root causes for most issues and problems most users have if they do not optimize their Zigbee setup. Please start a new thread if you want to discuss that further:
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FYI, there is a new experimental Z-Stack 20240710 firmware build available for those with issues in previous release who want to test + preferably also give feedback to the Z-Stack firmware developers:
Other testers have been testing it for three weeks now and most look to be reporting it as stable so far.
If no one reports it as troublesome then that version will likely soon become the next “master” version.
Note! Always remember to do a Zigbee network backup to file before upgrading firmware for restoring.
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FYI, Koenkk’s community build of Z-Stack_3.x.0 coordinator 20240710 firmware version has now officially been released as the new “master” which means that is the latest cutting-edge release image available:
-
Release Z-Stack_3.x.0_coordinator_20240710 · Koenkk/Z-Stack-firmware · GitHub
Please post feedback on Z-Stack_3.x.0 coordinator 20240710 firmware specific issues that → Z-Stack_3.x.0 coordinator 20240710 feedback · Koenkk/Z-Stack-firmware · Discussion #505 · GitHub
While this version now being the new “master” implies that it is mature enough for everyone to start using, but be aware that it does cutting-edge so it has still not been proven to be stable in the long-run, therefore if you stumble into issues you might need to revert to an older firmware version and restore your Zigbee network from a backup (thus you always remember to do a full Zigbee network backup to file before upgrading firmware for restoring!). Not sure how well it has been tested with the ZHA integration and zigpy-znp as Koenkk himself only test it with Zigbee2MQTT (because he is the leas developer of that project).
Note! Regadless of which Zigbee gateway software application that you are using it is common that zstack firmware flashing restore the adapter to factory default and therefore it is generally recommended and best practice to always do a full backup before flashing firmware and then restore that backup directly after flashed the adapter. Personally I always temporary stop/disable my Zigbee gateway software application use zigpy-cli as a stand-alone tool on a other computer for external backup and restore:
As always, flash at your own risk and be prepared to revert to older firmware if not working well for you with your specific devices (and then needing to restore backup from file so save that in a good place).
Again, post feedback on Z-Stack_3.x.0 coordinator 20240710 firmware specific issues on GitHub here:
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I am on 20210708 firmware without a single issue. The same one that was on the dongle when bought from itead 
Hi!
I was having issues pairing some ikea remotes and had the great idea of upgrading the firmware to CC1352P2_CC2652P_launchpad_coordinator_20240710
My current network still work great. I havent seen any existing device disconnecting, but I seem unable to pair any new device.
Before I go and downgrade the firmware again. is there any tip on how to do this properly? I used cc2538-bsl and it said the flash was successful.
Can I just downgrade? Do I need to take any specific precaution when doing this?
thanks.
Well, that’s strange. I have upgraded a Dongle Plus (coordinator) to 20240710 lately and pairing new devices is working without issues.
Have you tried by shutting HA down, pulling the coordinator out of the server for ~3 minutes (to make sure it’s volantile memory is cleared) and then putting the coordinator back in and boot your HA machine? It’s worth a try before you get into the hassle and downgrade the firmware.
@Tamsy Im not sure what happened. I rebooted the whole computer, took out the dongle, etc but nothing would pair. (existing devices kept working!)
In the end I freaked out and downgraded to a previous version and it went worse, so I went back (again) to the newest firmware and existing devices work again.
I did manage to pair 1 device after the last flash, but otherwise doesn’t seem like the process is as good as it was before.
You use an extension cable inbetween the HA server and the coordinator to minimize interference, hopefully?
@Tamsy I already do. the original firmware worked fine (from 2021), I updated it because I was having issue with some specific devices and was out of ideas.
at least existing devices keep working, but I’ll see if I can find the original firmware I had (the github project only has firmwares from 2022 onward.)
Updated my Sonoff ZBDongle-Plus-P Coordinator to fw 20240710. Tried to reconnect all my Sonoff ZBDongle-Plus-P & E Routers by removing them from the USB power adapter.
After putting in back, using the Sonoff ZBDongle-Plus-P Coordinator to “add devices via this device” is not working.
Do I miss something in the procedure here?
Resolved by reverted to coordinator fw 20221226.
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After 3 months running 20240710 I had to revert to 20221226 because one day (without having made any changes to my configuration for several weeks) I woke up to my entire zigbee network unresponsive. Devices would appear in Z2M as if nothing was wrong. But trying to run any commands in Z2M (map scan, interview, permit join all, etc.) resulted in a BUFFER_FULL error. Tried all combinations of restarting, with no change at all. Reverting the firmware to the older version finally fixed it. Have noticed at least one other person in the github issues reporting a similar problem. I have a network of about 15 devices, almost all of which are IKEA devices.
I had the same problem. Reverted back to 20221226 after reading your post.