HSM200 Update Firmware 2.8 - errors, faults, fixes, solutions

[fredvs79]

Posting for posterity.

I recently bought a HomeSeer HSM200 off Amazon and it came with firmware version 2.7. But since 2021 firmware has been 2.8.

Add HomeSeer HSM200 Firmware 2.8

Instructions did not list any update method.
https://help.zwaveproducts.com/zwaveproducts/manuals/homeseer-z-wave-multi-sensor-hsm200-hsm200-manual.html

I noted that several topics online discuss challenges people have updating this device, even with HomeSeer's USB dongle and software.

Using the firmware update method in Hubitat, I received an error :

"Device Firmware Updater: ERROR. Device expected an authentication event to enable firmware update"

and my logs kept showing errors:

skip:FirmwareUpdateMdRequestReport(status:1)

skip:FirmwareMdReport(manufacturerId:12, firmwareId:19785, checksum:15443, firmwareUpgradable:false, numberOfTargets:0, maxFragmentSize:null, firmwareIds:[], hardwareVersion:null, cc:false)

I found one thread (now closed) discussing several anecdotal tips, and one poster saying they were able to accomplish the update.

Trouble updating Homeseer device with Firmware Updater app

Did you have any luck? I came upon this thread trying to update firmware on 2 of these that I just bought. Very frustrating as I'm getting the same error you got!

I found another thread discussing the same thing, with more clarification on a method.

[RELEASE] HomeSeer HSM200 Multi-Sensor

if its a bad or wrong hex file it should fail after the whole thing is copied over. i think kahn’s recommendation of ensuring the hsm200 and the hub are VERY close to each other, like no more than 3 ft/1m and try again. If you have S2 enabled on the device re-pair the device to hubitat w/o S2. Finally there are 2 versions of hsm200, make sure you are using the correct version for your hardware. 2.8 for the version w/ a tab, 1.10 for the version w/o a tab. 2.8 [IMG_0635] 1.10 [IMG_0636]

Using my C8 Hub and the z-wave device firmware update, I was able to update my HSM200 after several failed attempts. The three things that I changed that made the update possible are

1. moving the HSM200 to right next to the hub
2. exclude the HSM200 and re-include it without S2 security.
3. pressing the button on the side of the HSM200 right before clicking 'start update' of the firmware.

The firmware update took about 4.5 minutes.

I believe the HSM200 checks RSSI signal strength and that acts as an authentication gate check to accept firmware updates. If the signal strength is too low it never properly handshakes for accepting the firmware update.

Hopefully this may help someone in the future.
Good luck