IRIS V1 devices.
On a C7 hub, I have found that I am unable to pair an Iris V1 motion sensor, button, or plug with the current firmware(2.3.9.201). However, I am able to pair those devices if I revert back to firmware version 2.3.8.123. Reverting back and forth between different firmware in order to connect Iris V1 devices is very disruptive. Does anyone have any ideas as to why the current firmware does not work for these devices?
Tagging @mike.maxwell
In general, it is worth reiterating that Iris V1 devices are obsolete by more than a decade, and continuing support for them on an older Hubitat hardware platform (C-3/C-4/C-5/C-7) is not guaranteed.
Thank You for your reply. I understand that the Iris devices are old, but they work extremely well. I understand why they wont pair to a C8, as that is new hardware technology. Im talking about the C7. Iris works very well with that hardware, its the current firmware that is the problem, so it isnt a problem with them being technologically outdated.
Well, I don't know the details. However, it is always possible that firmware changes to add compatibility to modern, currently available, ZHA 1.2 (or zigbee 3.0) devices impinges on Iris V1 functionality.
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That is true, but their functionality is perfect regardless of the firmware. Its only a pairing issue with the newer firmware. They get stuck at the initializing stage. But once paired using the older firmware, then updated to the new firmware, everything fine. They just wont pair with the new firmware
Do you frequently have to pair new Iris v1 devices? Maybe revert, pair all that you have, then roll forward again.
The problem is that HE is unlikely to prioritize figuring out Iris v1 issues, it's going to fall very low (or not at all) on their to-do list. So you are likely better off working out a plan that doesn't rely on HE maintaining V1 compatibility. Like get a cheap used hub (C7 or C5) and keep that on an older FW, pair V1 devices to that hub, and then use hub mesh to share V1 devices to your other hubs. 
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That's a similar reason why these devices will not work with C-8 and higher hubs. Iris V1 devices migrated to a C-8 or C-8 Pro will work on those hubs.
Sometimes changes in pairing are implemented to support newer devices.
For now, I would rely on what @danabw suggested. Or stay with a platform version that fully supports Iris V1 devices.
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There haven’t been any changes in 2.3.9 to Zigbee on pre c8 hubs to my knowledge, but I will check.
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I just moved all my V1 devices from a C5 to a C7 on the latest firmware. That being said it was not a simple process.
The process took several days to work out. This is the process I used and it worked on every device I had. I paired V1 buttons, contact , motion and Smartplugs.
Reset the device, and start the pairing process on hub.
In every case it would time out. As soon as it did I would wait a beat and just click V1 inclusion again, don't do anything to the device. Just leave it in pairing mode, LED should be flashing. In most cases it would pair on the second round.
In some cases it would pair, when it actually did not. I could see that the device did not in fact pair, as it would still be flashing. In these cases remove the battery. Just give the device it created a bogus name and immediately go to device details page and remove it. Then go to your device page and make sure it didn't create other devices called device. If it did remove them as well. If you don't it will say it found an existing device and won't let you pair the device again. I saw it create as many as three devices, so refresh and check the device page a few times before you try again.
Once you have removed the bogus devices just start over. I had some devices that paired fairly easily and some that took many tries before I got them connected , but I got every device I had re-paired.
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Thank you all for the replies. I will try these suggestions. I love the fact that this community exists and that everyone is willing to help. I have both the C7 and C8, and its folks like all of you that reinforce that I made the right decision in choosing Hubitat
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This is very dangerous, and I hate to suggest it. I might also be forgetting a step along the way. There is mention of this below method in other posts on this forum from 3-4 years ago. Please dig around the forums before you try this, if you even want to attempt it in the first place.
So I have had this issue with Iris before. They seem to not want to re-pair once they fall off the network for whatever reason. Typically in my case it is when I let batteries sit dead too long in a device.
Do a backup first just in case!
My solution (again, I might be forgetting something along the way) is to edit the Zigbee ID of the problematic device. I usually just change 1-2 digits (I usually just increment the last digit or two, like 0A to 1B), and be sure it isn't the same as another device I have. Be sure to write down the old ID before editing, or remember how you altered that number. Press Save once you have done that.
Somehow that allows the device to pair again. I don't know how or what makes it work, but that fixes something. Anyway after that, you have to take the ID from the original device (before you altered the ID), and place it on the now working device. That makes the database happy, and I think it preserves all automations, if I recall correctly.
Again, do this at your own risk, but I think you could try it by only editing the Zigbee ID, and if it pairs then explore the rest of the procedure.
Examples here: Iris V1 Contact Sensor Reconnect - #26 by m4ha7m4 and [Resolved] C7 - Unable to pair Iris V1 plugs, are Iris V1 devices still compatible with C7? [Yes, they are.] - #5 by neonturbo
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I'm running 2.4.0.144 on a C7 and am having the same problem. I've moved and am setting up the new space, some of it with Iris V1 devices. They keep getting stuck on initialization. I tried Terminal's fix and it didn't work for me. Mike, please check to see if initialization changes were made on pre c8 hubs as indicated. Thanks.
There have been no changes to that part of the code in some time
Something I maybe should have mentioned. I paired every device right next to the hub. I guess I just assumed that would be the case.
You couldn't get any to pair?
I actually couldnt get them to pair while next to the hub. I had to be in another room, approx 25 feet away. Weird.
That sounds like certain repeaters are interfering with the pairing process and getting farther from them is allowing them to pair via different repeaters or the hub.
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Just had a V1 button fall off today. I could not get it to pair, after using my described procedure.
I then remembered something else that I had to do occasionally, and that was to reboot the hub.
After rebooting the button paired first try.
I am sure you have tried that but I thought I would mention it.
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Thanks for checking, Mike.
I tried Terminal's suggestions and have been able to successfully join another V1 device (plug), but the original problematic device (smart button) still won't join. I was able to complete the process once, but the button didn't actually join, as the device kept blinking. Now, it won't even do that, though I've tried many times.
In my recent experience with a V1 device, sometimes the device will only partially join. When this happens, the light will continue blinking. In this case, the device sometimes wont appear under your device list. However, if you go to settings then zigbee details and then scroll down, you should see it listed. Just click on it, delete it, and then start the pairing process over again. You may have to do this several times to get it to fully join.
I was able to delete the device when it only partially joined. I rebooted the hub but could not get the device to even partially join again.
