Switchbot bots going through constant available-unavailable cycle

[idanyd]

I’m running HAOS on a dedicated Raspberry Pi 4, running the latest version (Core 2024.9.2, OS 13.1 as I type this). I also have a few Switchbot bots that control my curtains, which are connected to my HA using Bluetooth, no hub.

A few weeks ago I noticed the bots started responding erratically, and I only now found the time to look into it.

Looking at the logs, I can see each of them is in a constant loop of becoming available, then coming back online after a minute or so, only to become unavailable again a few minutes later.

I noticed this post, which seems to present the same issue:

Switchbot Bot Keeps Becoming Unavailable

Hi, I am very new with Home Assistant and a beginner so bare with me! I just got a switchbot bot, I didn’t get the hub as I read it will work with Home Assistant. However I am running into an issue where the bot will become unavailable after only a few minutes. I have scoured the internet and heaps of forums but I haven’t found a solution. I am using the switchbot integration and it automatically comes up when adding a new device and connects with no issue. I am able to use the switch with n…

However, they claim that the issue has been resolved after updating the OS to version 10.3, and I’m running a later version.

Is there anyone else who’s experiencing similar issues, or knows how to solve this?

Thanks!

[Sir_Goodenough ((SG) WhatAreWeFixing.Today)]

Hi idanyd,

The native bluetooth on a raspi is meant for VERY short range connections to a mouse or keyboard, headphones. It gets radio interference with the internal workings of the PI.

You would be best off adding a couple of espHome Bluetooth proxies near the curtains.

[idanyd]

Thanks for the reply.

I’m not saying you’re wrong, and your suggestion does make sense, but this setup worked flawlessly for about 2 years now. So I don’t think that the BT range of the RasPi suddenly became an issue.

[Sir_Goodenough ((SG) WhatAreWeFixing.Today)]

Don’t have to believe me. Put this into your search engine and see what others say.

raspi4 bluetooth range

And my suggestion to fix…

Ready-Made Projects

[idanyd]

I figured, before buying an additional accessory I’d run a small experiment - I took one of the Switchbot bots and put it right next to the Raspi for a couple of hours to see if there’s any change in the connection cycle.
But the behaviour, I’m afraid, stayed as it was - the device keeps on losing connection, then regaining it and losing it again and so on.

[tan]

Im not using a raspberry pi and my switchbot also goes unavailable exactly every 5 minutes. I am using a dell optiplex and proxmox.
I will probably try a recommended bluetooth adapter next since the one i have is not on the list

[tan]

I just updated home assistant to 10.4 and that fixed the problem