Z-Wave // Raspberry Pi 3B - Unable to connect to Z-Wave controllers

Configuration Z-Wave
1

Hello,

I am new to the HomeAssistant community and not computer science savvy. I will try my best to be descriptive as possible about what I’m trying to accomplish and what my issues are:

System Info:

  • Home Assistant Core: 2025.2.5
  • Home Assistant OS: 14.2
  • Hardware: Raspberry Pi 3B // micro-SD
  • Zwave JS Add On: Version 0.10.0

Goal:
Install USB Z-stick controller to Raspberry Pi 3B and connect device via Zwave JS add-on.

  • Aeotec Gen5+
  • Zooz ZST39 LR

Add Zwave switches and outlets to Zwave network for HAOS integrated control and automation.

Issue / Troubleshooting Log:

  1. Installed Aeotec Gen5+ directly onto available Raspberry Pi 3B USB ports.
  2. Upon plugging in, lost connection to HA.
  3. Repeated trial and error 5 or 6 times until randomly, Aeotec Gen 5+ was successfully added. (Debugging nightmare… works but not sure why)
  4. Runs smoothly for a week
  5. Update Zwave JS add on from 0.9.0 to 0.10.0
  6. HA crashes, I end up back in the cycle of Aeotec Gen 5+ clearly being the source of the crash and unable to successfully reconnect.
  7. Buy Zooz ZST39 LR, thinking Aeotec Gen5+ was the issue.
  8. Install ZooZ ZST39 LR. Confirm HA sees the device. Add Zwave integration to try and connect. Connection fails. See log attached for more troubleshooting info:
  9. Repeat attempts to connect Aeotec and Zooz controllers using a dongle USB hub between Raspberry Pi 3B and Zstick.
  10. Same results

Found a thread suggesting that disabling the USB auto suspend on the Raspberry Pi 3 might solve this issue:

So I attempted to edit the “cmdline.txt” on the Raspberry Pi boot partition to add the following:

usbcore.autosuspend=-1

Quickly realized I was in over my head and unable to mount the boot partition. Decided it was time to seek help!

Let me know what else I can provide to make troubleshooting easier. Thank you in advance to anyone that takes time out of their day to help find an answer!


Home Assistant Core Log: Failed attempt to connect Zooz
Logger: homeassistant.components.zwave_js.config_flow
Source: components/zwave_js/config_flow.py:340
integration: Z-Wave (documentation, issues)
First occurred: 12:23:26 PM (9 occurrences)
Last logged: 12:24:06 PM

Failed to get Z-Wave JS add-on discovery info
2

Evidence Zooz hardware is recognized:

IMG_7917
IMG_79171206×1168 65.4 KB

3

IMG_7919
IMG_79191206×2190 160 KB

4

Z-Wave JS Log:

IMG_7924
IMG_7924804×4168 1.04 MB

5

Dumb question - Is the Pi’s power supply large enough to run both it and the USB device(s) plugged into it???

6

Great question. I’m using a 5V, 2.5A power supply. The z-stick devices appear to be lighting up their LED(s) without issue, but I suppose that doesn’t mean there could be intermittent power supply issues I’m not aware of.

No clue if 2.5A is enough

1 Like
7

Is there any other USB device connected to the Pi, such as a keyboard, mouse, or cooling fan???

8

No, no other USB devices. Still no luck reaching a solution on this unfortunately.

9

You need to have it on an usb extender cable.

10

Hello,
Did you ever find a solution I seem to be having the same problem?

Thanks

11

Just responding to let people know that this behavior started with an update to HA around April 2024. I updated my system (3B+ and aeotec gen 5 z stick) and it killed it. Only way to boot was to physically remove the stick. Worked great for years prior tot that update. I’ve tried off and on with a brand new installation with nothing but the gen 5 stick and, as soon as you start Zwave, it freezes. I’ve tried usb hubs and extension cables. Nothing works. Not sure what the big change was the broke this combo but it’s now just a paper weight. I since moved on to a Pi5 and gen 7 stick.