I have a relatively simple Hubitat setup, it mainly controls Lutron RadioRa2 devices through a bunch of rules/scenes. I also recently added the Google SDM integration so I can pull in Nest cam snapshots into dashboards.
Over the last two weeks, my hub has been unreachable for days at a time, and then it will just snap back. Right now its accessible though I'm guessing that won't last long. I can tell that when it is not accessible its also not running its rules/scenes.
How can I debug the cause here? Any particular logs to look for and also where do I look at them? Internet connectivity doesn't seem to be the issue because many other devices in the home do work (e.g. Nest cams) and also there's no reason for the hub not to execute its schedule/rules even if it doesn't have internet connectivity. My guess is its stuck in some loop and after a few days somehow reboots or something like that. Would love directions on how to debug this.
Note: I use Hubitat's remote access service but I've also tried to access it locally via port forwarding. When its down it does not respond either way.
1: Go to yourhubip>>settings>>backup & Restore> Scroll to the bottom and click create and download and save the download to your pc.
2: Go to yourhubip:8081 and click soft reset. Follow instructions.
3: Upon reboot when promped to restore, use the file you saved to your pc.
4: After restore shutdown from the settings menu, unplug at the wall (not the hub) for 5 mins and power back up.
5: Update to the latest platform (yourhubip>>settings>>check for updates
6: Check to see if your z-wave firmware is up to date (yourhubip>>settings>>z-wave details. Look for the button at the top that says z-wave firmware update. If it's not there you've already done it.
7: Go to yourhubip>>settings>>network setup and make sure Set Ethernet Speed is at automatic
Now that we've got that out of the way (database cleaned, everything up to date) if it continues to do it look at the follwing
Network cable (they do go bad, not often but they do)
Switch or switch port (Do you have a switch you can swap in to test
Something in your network setup (do you have any vlan's or firewalls?
When it's not accessable is that from a pc or phone? Does cloud access work? When it happens can you get to yourhubip:8081 ?
Go through and answer those and lets see where we're at
I'm not physically there right now (traveling) so won't be able to look into the physical stuff. As for the network setup I have a Unifi setup that has been going strong for several years, no other device has ever exhibited prolonged physical disconnects. The Hubitat is wired with an ethernet cable into a managed switch, together with many other devices that seem to be happily online.
When I can't access it there is no response either via the remote admin or 'locally' at port 8081 (with port forwarding to the local IP as I'm traveling right now). This is the same from both the phone and computer.
Is it possible to configure the Hubitat hub to fall back to Wifi? Or use Wifi primarily? that would be more feasible for me right now than switching ports/cables.
I do not have any ZWave devices.
Is there any risk in backup and restore? I wouldn't want to lose anything about my setup because it would take me way too long to manually restore that.
There is a hub update waiting which I haven't applied yet.
There is no built in WiFi. It's possible to connect a WiFi adapter (see Settings - Network setup page), but that will require someone physically present at the hub location.
Which makes me think of one more thing to try... Settings - Network setup - turn DHCP auto reconnect setting on.
I would put this driver and app on there for starters. You can setup the Hub Monitor to send you push notifications. Turn on all the alerts in Hub Monitor to start with. Hopefully it can send something out before the hub goes dark.
I hope that you have that just temporary to try it. Port forwarding to the hub is a bad idea. Setup a secured VPN server on your home network to get access to local devices with forwarding.
I've done a soft reset, restored the backup, updated the Hub software and will now give it a few days to see if it stays online. If it goes down again I'll find a way to replace the cable and switch port.
You should only do one. I would keep the dhcp reservation, then press the reset button on the bottom of the hub for 7 seconds. This will reset the network settings. Since you have a dhcp reservation already for the hub, your ip will not change but your network settings will be clean. We have seen issues with static ip address' causing no connectivity due to DNS issues.
Got it, I'm looking at my Network settings screen and it is unclear to me whether the hub itself is configured for a static IP or for DHCP. I'll upload an image would appreciate feedback. At any rate the Networking gear is configured to provide a static IP. I am unable to access the hub physically right now so I prefer to take action via configuration if possible.
The hub says currently using DHCP at the top. Hitting the reset button couldn't hurt though. Change the DNS to 1.1.1.1 instead and see if that improves things.
Though that may not be necessary since you're already on DHCP... I still have a feeling though if you use the reset button on the bottom of the hub that will help clear things up
Yes my Networking gear is setup to provide the Hubitat with a static IP. Would it help if I configured my gear to switch the Hubitat to a dynamic IP and then switched it back to the static IP? Like would that cycle through the same potentially helpful things?
As for the button I can try to get that done, is that just a regular tap on the button or holding it down for 7 seconds?
No no, let your dhcp server issue the reserved ip. I'm just saying clearing the network settings on the hub via the reset can't hurt. For the button use a toothpick or paper clip for 7 seconds...
