Sonoff USB Zigbee 3.0 dongle configuration error

Configuration
1

I just got two of these. I have updated one with the latest firmware and left the other one with it’s factory firmware. Both exhibit an error when I try to config.

The environment is an 8GB raspberry pi4 in an Argon case with 512GB SSD as the storage medium for the device. I have tried both the canned HA OS install as well as a Debian linux install with supervised HA on top.

The device is automatically discovered, but when I click on configure, I get a dialog box to choose the network settings for the device. Upload manually or erase settings and form a new network. Since this is a virgin install, I choose “erase and form a new network.” I get a spinning icon and “Loading next step for Zigbee Home Automation”. After about 30 seconds I just get a popup that just says “error”.

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Any suggestions on how to proceed? I have done all the prelim configuration, but am stuck on this since all of my devices are zigbee based.

Best,

2

I also have one of these:

And that one is also automatically discovered and seems to allow me to configure it. I bought the sonoff ones because I’d read they are more reliable. hmmmm

Best,

3

You should choose the first option, not the last one.

4

I’d love to. Any idea why the Sonoff would just give me an error while the other one just works?

Best,

5

I meant when choosing the Network Formation you should choose the “Choose the network settings for your radio” option.

Also, did you try to configure the stick with Zigbee2MQTT previously? You can only have one stick paired with one Coordinator software.

Also check the HA logs under Settings > System > Logs.

This is not a problem with the stick but a configuration one.

1 Like
6

Thanks for the tip. This appears to be the problem:

zigpy.exceptions.FormationFailure: Network formation refused: there is too much RF interference. Make sure your coordinator is on a USB 2.0 extension cable and away from any sources of interference, like USB 3.0 ports, SSDs, 2.4GHz routers, motherboards, etc.

I guess I’ll get an extension cable and try again.

Best,

7

Update…

I ended up just using the Nortek dongle. I’ll keep the Sonoff ones around just in case I have second thoughts later. I read mentions that the Nortek periodically drops connections, but that hasn’t happened to me in the past 3-4 days.

Best,

8

I finally fixed this issue! I spent HOURS trying to fix this. I’m not even sure what caused it to stop working in the first place, I never updated anything on HA. I tried restoring HA from back ups. Using the dongle on different systems, opening up and resetting it. EVERYTHING. The only thing that fixed it was to wipe the firmware and reinstall it.