Thread devices become unavailable

Configuration Matter/Thread
1

Hi,
I have 17 Matter Thread devices - all but one are Onvis S4 Matter over Thread plugs (which also function as repeaters).
Every once in a while one or a few of the S4 plugs suddenly become unavailable. And unfortunately they don’t reconnect after a while. - even after hours of waiting.
The only way to reconnect it is to power cycle the S4 plug.

I have experienced similar issues with Z-wave switches - but in those cases I can “ping” the node, and that will reactivate it.
I can’t find a similar command for Thread to recover a thread node from within Home Assistant (without having to power cycle the S4 switch).

I am using SkyConnect as Thread Border router.

Ideally I’d like to find a solution to make the network very robust, and to auto recover by itself if issues arise.

If that doesn’t work, then I’d like to find a way to re-connect Thread nodes from within Home Assistant, so i can write a script to heal the network if needed.

Or if that also doesn’t work, then I’d like to understand why - is it maybe the S4 plugs that aren’t working properly and require a firmware update? Something else?

Thanks!

2

Onvis S4 Matter over Thread plugs was released with a buggy firmware that does exactly what you describe.
You need to update the firmware, but Onvis have a convoluted update process and it can only be done through an Apple Matter hub, so hope you have such one.

Onvis do not really publish this information though, so you will have to search a bit for it.

3

Thanks a lot, Wally.

4 of the S4 are slightly older and have Firmware: 1.1.0-315.
The other 12 are newer and have Firmware: 1.1.0-442

Indeed, the problematic plug is usually (as far as I can remember) one of the first 4.

Do you know what the latest firmware version is and which one includes the stability fix?

I will have to get in touch with Onvis - I do not have an Apple hub.

4

On the Onvis page here (Onvis Smart Plug S4, Matter over Thread, 15A/1800W Max, Works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home & SmartThings) they write:

【Critical Firmware Update 】Smart plug firmware version at 1.1.0-315 needs to be upgraded to 1.1.11, please upgrade the firmware via iOS Onvis Home app.

So it seems all of my plugs should get updated - but for sure the 4 older ones.

5

I think 442 is the newest one and 315 is the bugged one.

You need the Onvis App 4.3.1 to update and you also need an Apple Matter Hub last time I checked.

I had to “test” an Apple HonePod and return it when I had updated them.