Zigbee2MQTT failed to start "Error: Connection not initialized"

Hi all, I have setup MQTT and Zigbee2MQTT on a Proxmox server and I can’t seem to start Zigbee2MTT. I’ve checked several posts but they are refering to the “failed to connect to the adapter” whilst in my case the error that I’m getting is “Error: Connection not initialized”.
I’ve located my Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus (ZBDongle-E) using “ls -l /dev/serial/by-id” and I’ve correctly edited the Zigbee2MQTT config file (added the “adapter: ezsp” for the ZBDongle-E).
Any help is appreciated.

root@zigbee2mqtt-ea:/opt/zigbee2mqtt# cd /opt/zigbee2mqtt && npm start

[email protected] start
node index.js

Zigbee2MQTT:info 2023-11-10 22:45:28: Logging to console and directory: ‘/opt/zigbee2mqtt/data/log/2023-11-10.22-45-28’ filename: log.txt
Zigbee2MQTT:info 2023-11-10 22:45:28: Starting Zigbee2MQTT version 1.33.2 (commit #ccc08a3f)
Zigbee2MQTT:info 2023-11-10 22:45:28: Starting zigbee-herdsman (0.21.0)
Zigbee2MQTT:error 2023-11-10 22:45:48: Error while starting zigbee-herdsman
Zigbee2MQTT:error 2023-11-10 22:45:48: Failed to start zigbee
Zigbee2MQTT:error 2023-11-10 22:45:48: Check Zigbee2MQTT fails to start | Zigbee2MQTT for possible solutions
Zigbee2MQTT:error 2023-11-10 22:45:48: Exiting…
Zigbee2MQTT:error 2023-11-10 22:45:48: Error: Connection not initialized
at Ezsp.execCommand (/opt/zigbee2mqtt/node_modules/zigbee-herdsman/src/adapter/ezsp/driver/ezsp.ts:551:19)
at Ezsp.version (/opt/zigbee2mqtt/node_modules/zigbee-herdsman/src/adapter/ezsp/driver/ezsp.ts:349:35)
at Driver.startup (/opt/zigbee2mqtt/node_modules/zigbee-herdsman/src/adapter/ezsp/driver/driver.ts:140:25)
at EZSPAdapter.start (/opt/zigbee2mqtt/node_modules/zigbee-herdsman/src/adapter/ezsp/adapter/ezspAdapter.ts:172:16)
at Controller.start (/opt/zigbee2mqtt/node_modules/zigbee-herdsman/src/controller/controller.ts:132:29)
at Zigbee.start (/opt/zigbee2mqtt/lib/zigbee.ts:60:27)
at Controller.start (/opt/zigbee2mqtt/lib/controller.ts:101:27)
at start (/opt/zigbee2mqtt/index.js:107:5)

As it turns out, removing the Zigbee stick does absolutly nothing to the error log :slight_smile: as in the stick isn’t the issue.

PS. I’ve followed this guide for the Zigbee2MQTT and MQTT install and config.

Hi, it seems that I am in the exact same situation. Switch to proxmox, followed the same guide. ZBDongle-E and I am stuck on the same error. Have you had any progress?

Bump for same error on new setup - Any joy on resolving anyone?

Hello Eddy,
I have the same problem. The only difference is that I am using a Nabu_Casa_SkyConnect_v1.0 with the latest firmware. I got my system to work for a short time, but it is very unstable. After changing only the Zigbee channel, my system won’t start even if I reset it.
Update: Today I tried again and there is an update from zigbee to version 1.34 and herdsmann to version 0.25.
My system is currently running. I hope this helps.

I have the same problem. I’m new to HA, installed it on Raspberry Pi 4 using the Zigbee Dongle-E. It didn’t work adding “adapter: ezsp” in serial…

I had the same error and had to recreate the VM to get it working. The steps I followed:

  1. Check your Haos VM is not assigned to the Sonoff USB if so, unassign the USB in Hardware.
    Hardware>Select the USB from the list>click remove

I performed this steps as running ls -l /dev/serial/by-id in the Proxmox shell failed to find the device. YMMV.

  1. Rebuild the Zigbee2MQTT VM in Proxmox
bash -c "$(wget -qLO - https://github.com/tteck/Proxmox/raw/main/ct/zigbee2mqtt.sh)"

I followed instructions here: How To Separate Zigbee2MQTT From Home Assistant In Proxmox
Note: I chose Advanced setup, Debian-bookworm, disabled ipv6, everything else was the default values.
during prompt mid-install I switched to Edge (Dev) branch, choose Y

My Configuration

frontend:
  port: 9442
homeassistant: true
permit_join: false
mqtt:
  base_topic: zigbee2mqtt
  server: mqtt://<MQTT ip>:1883
  user: usr
  password: pass
  keepalive: 60
  reject_unauthorized: true
  version: 4
serial:
  port: /dev/serial/by-id/usb-ITEAD_SONOFF_Zigbee_3.0_USB_Dongle_Plus_V2_<yourserial>-if00
  adapter: ezsp
advanced:
  pan_id: GENERATE
  network_key: GENERATE
  channel: 20