Zigbee sensors become unavailable after restart

Configuration Zigbee
1

Hello all, newbie here. I have created a small ZHA network with some sensors. The problem is that after a restart all sensors become unavailable and stay that way.

My installation details:

  • Home assistant OS (2024.4.1) running on a x86 mini-pc (dedicated)
  • Sonoff Zigbee USB Dongle Plus
  • Temperature/humidity sensor
  • Flood detection sensor
  • Open/close sensor
  • Presence sensor

All sensors are from Aliexpress (the zigbee/tuya most popular ones). They are all close by to the usb stick, one of them is 50cm away, so it’s not a range issue. They all show 100% battery in the interface (after I set them up).

What I tried so far:

  • Read other posts about this topic - seems to be unresolved (?)
  • Wait - after some hours only the presence sensor became unavailable due to me moving around
  • Reboot homeassistant PC - the sensors are still unavailable
  • Take out / reinsert dongle in PC - no change
  • Press reset button on each of the sensors - they connect and continue working as expected.

Could I try something else? Thanks a lot for the help.
Fred

2

Do you use an USB extension cable on your dongle ?

What is the version of the firmware ?

1 Like
3

Thanks for the quick reply, Francis. I use the dongle connected directly to the minipc. Does it matter in which USB port I plug it in? I currently use one of the front ports which should be USB 3.

The firmware version that I see from within HA looks like this:
Device info
Coordinator
by Texas Instruments

Firmware: Z-Stack 20210708

Fred

4

Yes it very much does so, (and you should not use USB 3.0), see → Zigbee networks: how to guide for avoiding interference + optimizing using Zigbee Router devices (repeaters/extenders) to get best possible range and coverage

5

I have plugged the zigbee adapter into one of the USB 2 ports at the back. When I restart the pc the sensors no longer show as ‘unavailable’ however their status doesn’t change (temperature is reported the same as the one just before restarting), until I push the reset button on the sensor, then it works as usual.

Is there anything else I could try?

6

The extension cable.

7

Try 20230507. . And use an USB extension cable

8

Small update - it seems that after a longer period of time the sensors are sending back data. I will test today to see how long it actually takes and if they are stable.

9

One thing that I’ve found working in same kind of situation, is to shut down the server, wait a minute, and then start the server. Just restarting the server makes the Zigbee sensors, and the Zigbee2MQTT unresponsive.

10

I tested again the system, by shutting down for 30 minutes then booting back up. I get data from the sensors after 3 or 4 hours (!). Is this normal behavior?

I also tested a USB 2 extension cable and placing the dongle where there aren’t any other electronic devices. Same result.

I guess next step is to try updating the firmware?