Not necessarily, I had some devices that just wouldn’t route the traffic through an IKEA repeater. I even cut power to all other devices, and the sensor was around 1 meter from the IKEA repeater and more than 10 meters with thick walls in between from the coordinator but it just didn’t pair.
Uhh all of those are xiaomi 
But then after adding this repeater I could just re-pair them right? They then should connect to the best signal source? Cause those devices are sometimes connecting now to my PI but it’s random and signal strengh is usually 0%
Normally yes, but Xiaomi devices are special xD No matter how hard I tried, some of them would just not route their traffic through some mains powered devices.
They should re-evaluate and adjust routing again any again.
Just installed a new Zigbee network at my parent‘s property (11.000m2) and - so far - about 40 devices (mains and battery)
I paired every device next to the coordinator (Raspee II), then installed it at it’s final location. It took up to 2 days after install time for the network to stabilize, but now it is running all smooth.
Looking at the current network map, only 2 devices are currently directly communicating with the coordinator, the rest has found and alternative path.
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Well the ones I need to get too are door sensors.
Hi,
That’s a good one actually. I did not know that they work like that. I was thinking about them like a wifi device. Connect and that’s it not finding best route.
You may be correct about the Zigbee protocol picking it’s own route. However you definitely can add a zigbee device from the Zigbee ZHA integration by clicking on a repeater that was previously added and clicking the “Add Devices via this Device” button.
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I second that. I have some Xiaomi devices I can’t get to change route, no matter how many times I try to re-pair them.
Without exception, if I have range issues, I just throw one of these INNR Outlets into a vacant wall outlet near the sensor and the mesh is extended: https://amzn.to/3iGMUFK
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Hi
I realise this is an old thread but thought it better to post here than start a new one.
I am currently using smartlife app with wifi light switches and blind motors. I have had some issues with routines not processing when I was on holiday so am looking to get started with home assistant to keep things local.
I’m at the planning stage and trying to decide between tuya local or changing my devices for zigbee. I would need some zigbee repeaters and have seen the recommendations for Ikea products. However I would rather use something that I know will never be switched off so am thinking about zigbee wall sockets.
Has anyone any experience with any sockets acting as repeaters, any issues working with home assistant?
I am in the UK.
Thanks
Welcome to the forum 
You should definitely go for Zigbee. Especially if you are after:
Make sure the Zigbee devices are supported by ZHA or Z2M before you buy and you should be good to go.
Wow, fast response. Thanks for the info
I can personally recommend “IKEA Trådfri Signal Repeater” as repeaters and also reflashing “ITead SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus” adapter with latest Zigbee Router firmware in a USB-changer.
Also recommend reading and follow tips/advice here, they apply to all and any Zigbee solution set up:
https://github.com/home-assistant/home-assistant.io/pull/18864
and
Zigbee signals are weak so reply on a strong Zigbee network mesh (meaning many Zigbee Router devices) and are very sensitive to RMF/EMI/RMI interference so it makes it much easier to troubleshoot and find the real root cause if have already optimized your setup and environment to work around that.
Ex: from ZHA docs; * Note that some Zigbee devices are not fully compatible with all brands of Zigbee router devices. Xiaomi/Aqara devices are for example known not to work with Zigbee router devices from Centralite, General Electrics, Iris, Ledvance/OSRAM, LIGHTIFY/Sylvania, Orvibo, PEQ, Securifi, and SmartThings/Samsung. Better results can usually be achieved by using mains-powered devices IKEA and Nue/3A Home or dedicated DIY routing devices based on Texas Instruments CC253x/CC26x2 and XBee Series 2/3 Zigbee radios.
Thanks for the replies. I know about all the recommendations for Ikea repeaters. What I meant by a socket was the actual socket installed in the wall. Something like this:
I live in a fairly old house with solid walls so will need a few repeaters. This would make things a lot tidier then having the Ikea ones plugged in everywhere.
The one I linked is listed as compatible with zha. Just wondering if anyone has experience with this type of thing.
Thanks again
Related to the above, but is there any way to add devices via a repeater?
I have a powered bulb which acts as a repeater, but I only seem to be able to add devices when they’re close to the co-ordinator… this is fine in most scenarios but I have a fixed blind which is some distance away and really could use adding via the bulb… (just to add, I have tried the option under the device itself, doesnt seem to make a difference)
EDIT, nevermind. It seemed to work eventually at around 2cm. I’m actually trying out Zigbee2MQTT now, and it seems a bit more reliable
hello,
i have flashed a SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus -P as an router, to get my aqara t&h sensors better connected. I pluged the repeater in usbpower-adapter, but how do i get it in ZHA? it don´t appear via add device…
thanx for any replies!
br
Frank
i should perhaps note, that i have the same sonfoff zigbee USB dongle plus still in ZHA as an coordinator. now i want to add a second one as repeater to extand range and device count…
After you have flashed the router firmware into the USB dongle and added it to the Zigbee devices I can see the dongle in the “network” but how do I know it’s repeating the signal or do I have to do something more to have it function correct together with the USB dongle Coördinator?
ZHA configuration UI has a tab to view visualized device links in your Zigbee network topology, but you do not have to do anything → https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/zha#zigbee-network-visualization-in-zha-ui
Once you paired/joined a Zigbee Router device the routing function will work automagically, (each device will evaluate its best connection options and if needed automatically move around once every 24-hours to the best Zigbee Router devices), see → Zigbee networks: how to guide for avoiding interference and optimize for getting better range + coverage
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