Trying to use ZigBee devices for the very first time and bought a cheap dongle 2G4U04B. As I looked into the terminal, the device was showing up as ttyACM0. Thinking everything to be fine and running, I downloaded ZigBee Home Automation (ZHA) integration and set the serial port as “/dev/ttyACM0” choosing ZNP radio type.
Now, when I try to pair my ZigBee device by flashing the blink lights, this ZHA is unable to find my device despite of multiple attempts (about 30). What could have possibly gone wrong? Any advice?
What are you running HA on?
Whats your install method (core, HAOS?)
Using ZHA, cool.
Did you specify a Zigbee channel or just take default?
Whats your 2.4Ghz Wifi channel?
Are there any USB3 HDDs nearby?
How did you connect your dongle? (direct to the machine, extension cable, USB hub?)
I am running HA on docker container. I took the default. I have no idea about the channel that my 2.4g WiFi is running. I have connected SSD to raspberry pi 4 and inserted the dongle to on of the empty USB slot.
Zigbee runs in the unregulated 2.4Ghz wireless band, which means it’s in competition with everything else in that spectrum. Including Bluetooth, 2.4Ghz wifi (you really need to find out that channel) interference from phones, microwaves and one of the worst - USB3HDDs.
In addition the Pi usb bus is incredibly noisy. So… To combat this its almost mandatory that you use AT LEAST a half meter usb extension cable to get the coordinator away from the Pi USB bus.
Avoid USB3 ports (orange/blue)
Or use a USB2 powered hub (power can also be a problem on Pi)
If you do this and still have issues you could have interference from Wifi (search wifi Zigbee coexistence) but we’ll deal with that if it’s a problem AFTER you get the extension cord.