way too much work to get Z-Wave to connect . Thought it would be a good solution to Iris when it announced it would be shutting down, but I only got 1 out of 5 to pair after resets and exclusions .
What type of devices are you trying to pair with your HE hub? Iris first gen devices are generally not compatible. Other devices (locks and other Z-Wave Plus devices) sometimes need to be very close to the hub to be able to securely pair.
Thanks. I am trying to pair Z-Wave Switches and Wall outlets. I tried the one that is closest to the hub and it would not work.
Return policy/options would be a better question to email support about. I don't think you will get a real answer on this in the forums.
If you are actually looking for suggestions on how to get it work, I would open a different post with details on what isn't working, what you have tried, and the make model of devices you have.
not stupid at all and I really appreciate the great community response. I tried selecting Z Wave Exclude, but it only said it was running for 30 seconds. Is there something more that I should be doing for each device
Sometime you just need to reboot the hub and start the device discovery again. It did work for me many times before.
What type/make of devices are they?
Can you do a factory reset on them which should make sure they are excluded.
In general.. Include failures are actually Exclude failures. No Zwave device will Include if the Exclude didn't work fully.
Begin with Live Logs: Right Click on Logs in the left menu and choose Open in new Tab. You will get an empty log to start with, and you leave this running. Go back to your main tab and:
Settings:Zwave Details:ZWave Exclude
Perform the exclude ritual on the device you are trying to exclude, per the manufacturers instructions. Look at live logs, You should see "Excluded unknown device" If you don't, then the exclude didn't work.
Here's a thread from an ex-Iris owner that starts the opposite way.
Oh... and one thing about the discovery page that's caught me out repeatedly... you can only pair one device at a time while you're on that page.
Worse than that... you can only pair one device WHILE THAT PAGE IS LOADED ON ANY BROWSER, ANYWHERE. If you have a strongly tabbed-workflow, you're going to end up in trouble. And woe betide you if you're doing some of it on your desktop, and some while you're away walking around the place with your mobile. The desktop browser open on the discovery page will stop any more discovery happening anywhere. Not at all obvious to me, but once that was pointed out, apart from starting a fight about 'you have too many tabs open', things got much clearer.
-- Jules
While the hub is in General Exclusion mode, you must follow the device manufacturer's instructions to complete the exclusion process.
Since you still have a working Iris hub... do these devices still respond to commands from Iris? You can use the Iris 'remove device' functionality to perform the exclusion of z-wave devices as well. Again, you must still follow each device's specific instructions to complete the exclusion process. Also, Iris has a General Exclusion mode as well that you can use if you already "Force Removed" these devices from Iris.
Zigbee devices usually have a factory reset procedure that you can use to get them ready to pair with a new hub. Again, the process varies by product so you have to find the manual for each device to see what the procedure is.
Thanks for all the suggestions and attempts to help. This is just not the system for me - too much work. I have emailed support on return, but supsect that it is a 100 dollar lesson in going with the more user friendly device.
you can only Join one ZWAVE device at a time while you're on that page.
the single "discover page" will pair multiple Zigbee devices.
This probably makes it MORE confusing, independent of open tabs, but it is how it works, today.
Iris is notorious for not properly completing exclusion on Z-Wave device. If the switches still think they’re connected to a hub, you’re going to have these issues no matter which system you switch to. I’m not trying to advocate for Hubitat in any way, just looking out for you and what you’re going to run into in the future.
THanks - I guess I will buy all new switches with the Iris credit - I am getting back about 650 and I only need the most basic functionality. Ill buy new and go with something like the samsung smart things.
I would attempt to factory reset the devices using the procedure that should be in the user manual.
burke182 - I'm not sure I have followed your entire experience. I certainly feel your frustration.
Depending on the size of your environment and what other devices you have (or want to have), you might want to look at Lutron.
SmartThings is not going to "fix" a bad Z-Wave mesh nor will it "fix" Z-Wave devices that have not been excluded from their previous home. BTW - getting the Z-Wave devices excluded from SmartThings was the hardest part of my transition over to Hubitat.
I bring up Lutron because it eliminates the Z-Wave "issues" and it runs on a frequency that is less prone to interference. The pairing and removal of devices is simple and reliable. It is a "closed" ecosystem meaning is supports only Lutron devices. Other devices can be integrated through other hubs or services (Hubitat, SmartThings, Alexa, Google Home/Assistant, etc.).
Lutron's Caseta Pro is limited to 50 devices and an advertised 30 foot range. It supports switches, dimmers, some fan controls, and some types of shades. It integrates very nicely with Hubitat (and also with SmartThings). Hubitat can support multiple Lutron Caseta Pro hubs to help overcome the limit on the number of devices as well as the range limitation.
I am now running a hybrid environment with my lighting switches and dimmers (mostly) on Lutron using two Lutron Caseta Pro hubs and everything else runs on or is integrated with Hubitat.
Since you have to move off of Iris, I thought I would throw out an alternative for your consideration.
Best of luck whichever way you go!
Sorry to see you head to Smartthings but totally understand the decision. Moving zwave devices to a new system is a PITA even for seasoned HA folks sometimes.
If you plan to buy new equipment and start from scratch, I would consider purchasing equipment that is compatible with both systems. I'm not going to disparage ST, but there are reasons MANY of us are smartthings refugees. With that in mind, it's always good to have the option to switch back if that is your ultimate decision.
Just my 2 cents.
PS. +1 for Lutron Caseta devices. They work really well on both systems...but they are outstanding on Hubitat.
thanks - so what is the best way to work through the PITA stuff for a non-experienced HA person? I had one switch connected and one wifi bulb was starting to connect. Ive tried the exclusion (assuming im doing it right) Ive tried flipping the breakers to no avail. If I shut down the IRIS and then buy new switches (ZWave) will that work? Cost is not that much - there are only 5 or 6 that were on the IRIS and I put them all in myself. My hope is to have hubitat so that I can control some lights when I am traveling (to give the appearence that someone is home) and then add something like nest or simplysafe to replace the camera's and sensors that I had on IRIS.
You are, of course, correct. And for what it's worth... yeah... I don't think that makes it make any more sense