Updating Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus V2 firmware using secondary stick (ZHA)

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Hi everyone! (this is my first post! :partying_face:)

I am running Zigbee/ZHA using the ‘Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus V2’ with NCP firmware 7.3.1.0 build 176. I am experiencing some issues with devices dropping off and have already investigated other measures for improving network performance. Hence I would like to update the Dongle-E to the latest firmware.

I have a secondary Dongle-E unit which I would like to prepare with the latest firmware before swapping it with the ‘production’ unit.

Question 1: What would be the process for replacing the currently running Dongle-E with the secondary one, once updated? Will either of the options ‘DOWNLOAD BACKUP’ or ‘MIGRATE RADIO’ in the Zigbee ‘Network Settings’ page be required? Or can the sticks simply be exchanged while the HA unit is powered down?

Question 2: What are the considerations in choosing between firmware versions provided directly by itead (link - latest fw 7.4.4) vs. darkxst’s (link - latest fw 7.4.5)?

Question 3: Will the update necessitate any changes to the driver setting for EZSP vs Ember, or is this only needed when running z2m?

Question 4: The latest Home Assistant Update (2025.4) includes update functionality for HA Yellow Zigbee/Thread unit and HA ZBT-1 directly through Home Assistant. Considering that ZBT-1 and Sonoff Dongle-E share the same chip (EFR32MG21), will a similar update function be implemented for the Sonoff Dongle-E at some point?

Side Note: I did come across this related topic for updating the Dongle-E firmware in place, however it does not fully apply to my situation with the two Dongle-E sticks.

Thank you very much for your support!

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  1. Why bother with the second dongle? Just upgrade the current one. Less trouble, and probably safer than going through the migrate process.

  2. I use darkxst’s firmware, but still at an older version. I don’t know if there is any clear advantage either way.

  3. Only a z2m thing.

  4. I can’t speak to that. 2025.4 is not on my radar yet (I only update every 3-6 months unless there is a pressing need). I use the si labs updater addon.

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I was thinking that I could revert to the original stick in case something doesn’t work out with the updated Dongle-E. Is this not valid?

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It just seems like more trouble than its worth. I’ve done a few dongle-e firmware upgrades, and all have been uneventful in my experience.

The sticks can’t be swapped without migrating. You’ll end up with two adapters with the same ieee address.

That might cause problems if you want to redeploy the original as a router.

I assume the ieee can be changed with the router firmware, but I’ve never tried it myself. If it can be changed, I don’t know if it is a one time only change like the older coordinator firmwares, more dynamic like the new coordinator firmwares, or if it works at all. I assume it’s a one time only change, at least for the Sonoff 6.x router firmware. I haven’t seen a 7.3.x or newer router firmware, but I haven’t looked very hard.

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ok, understood. Thank you!

So the course of action would be:
-Install Silabs Flasher Add-On
-Disable ZHA Integration
-Flash pre-existing Dongle-E with latest gbl firmware file
-Reboot(?)
-Re-enable ZHA

Any steps missing?

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Just plug the dongle into the USB port of another PC and use the web flasher. Takes all of 2 minutes. Then plug it back into your HA rig and you’re done. might need a restart.

Just make sure you have the serial port drivers installed first.

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Perfect, thank you!
Disabling ZHA or shutting down the HA unit while the stick is unplugged is still advised though, correct?