Unable to add Fibaro Z-Wave devices -> DEAD

Configuration Z-Wave
1

I’m quite new to HA and currently in the process to migrate all devices from OpenHab to my HA setup on a Pi.

Currently I struggle to add Fibaro Roller Shutters (FGR-222) which worked nicely with OpenHab for years.

I’m using Z-Wave JS UI with an Aeotec Gen5+ stick (FW 1.2), but already tried a Gen7 before. Both are said to support Z-Wave with HA. I replaced the Gen7 because HA showed warnings due to firmware issues. But even with the Gen5+ I have no success:

  • I’ve completely shut down OpenHab and it’s Z-Wave master to prevent interference.
  • Also I have reset the Roller Shutter to be added according to Fibaros manual (B-Button).
  • I generated new S-Keys as I’m including a fully reset device.
  • I tried many times already, but I always end up with a device like: Unknown manufacturer 0xXXXX - DEAD
  • Before switching to DEAD, there is obviously some communication to HA, because it even shows the firmware version (25.25) in the logs and a manufacturer ID.
  • I tried to include the device using the procedure in Z-Wave JS UI, but I already also tried it using the offline mode with the button on the Gen5+ stick. Same result.

Does anyone have ideas what to do or how to troubleshoot?

Thanks,
Mike

2

Hi,

I migrated from openHAB a couple of years ago, and have a few posts up discussing tips on the journey.

ISTR there were issues with the Gen7 chipset, but also remember reading all was fixed.

I moved tens of Fibaro Z-Wave devices across with a Gen5 Aeotec stick, and whilst some worked, factory resetting a few was needed to get them to reappear on the same coordinator, with the same S0 and same hardware. (My Gen5 is a hacked version with a hardware fix for the stupid USB design mistake that can fail with RPi4.)

The PITA with Fibaro kit (apart from NO FIRMWARE) is the small plastic button on the case and rubbish internal reset switch. A few FGD-212 needed a plastic probe (as the internal circuitry is referenced to mains voltage) to go through the colour sequence and reset/ pair.

My kit just repaired with HA and worked, so apart from not seeing enough router notes for a decent mesh, don’t know what to suggest.

I’ve not got any roller shutters myself, but have seen others commenting on them - try a forum search?

openHAB wasn’t able to mark a node as failed so a few years ago, but this might work now with HA (not tried it). You do need to remove a “dead” or “reset” mode as the coordinator can sometimes try to reach it - which used to cause 120S time outs on openHAB.

Worse case - try the Aeotec software and a firmware update? My G5 got a lot better back in openHAB days with newer firmware (hmm - seeing ZW090 AEON Labs Firmware: 1.2 so nothing to update potentially).

Generally, I’ve seen significantly longer battery life on Fibaro multi-sensors, and stuff working. Still miss Chris hacking on the protocol stack, even if HA is going for full Z-Wave certification in the near future.

TTFN,

James
If this helps, :heart: this post!

1 Like
3

Thanks for your reply, James.

Do I get it right: you transferred your z-wave devices by directly migrating the USB-stick used on OpenHab to HA therefore shifting the installation as a whole? I might try that as well.

I thought of going the hard way and exclude/include all devices manually to migrate step by step and include everything nicely.

I was able to go through the color sequence on the fibaro roller shutter multiple times. Also was I able to include it and communication was taking place in the beginning. Even the FW version was visible in HA. But whatever I do, after a few seconds the device goes → DEAD in HA.

4

Yes - same RPi3b, different uSD card to switch across, added the S0 key. Some devices worked, others needed a reset.

I later moved to a Yellow (RPi4 compute module), but that’s a different story.

I also bought a cheap Fibaro HClite under protest as Fibaro only allow firmware updates via their own kit. Exclude from HA, add to HC, upgrade, exclude, add to HA - horrid closed system that means no more Fibaro purchase!

Updated FGD-212 work well, but no thanks to Fibaro (pre v3.5 firmware was buggy as hell).

Given HA are now on the board of the Alliance and going for full Z-Wave certification, if the pairing process breaks consistently, raise an issue on GitHub. Personally, my guess is the issue isn’t HA!