Warning message - Don't Update Remotely

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1

I went to check on an update for a hub (C-8) we have at another location and for the first time got this message:
Updating over Remote Admin is not recommended. Consider updating while physically present at the hub’s location. Continue anyway?

Recently I did have an issue updating that remote hub and lost the ability to control it remotely.
When we were at the location I to get it back online I had to restore to an earlier version and then update it on site.

What gives? I was always able to update it to the most current version earlier this year.

2

This has always been the recommendation (i.e., there is nothing specifically new about that much). It's always been a bad idea because there are rare cases where something like whatever happened in your case does, and something in-person is necessary to fix.

Now it's just smarter about sensing this and letting you know. :slight_smile:

3

i have hubs in 4 locations and have never had an issue updating remotely.. nor have i got that message. but i vpn in using openvpn when doing upgrades and all hubs are wired not wifi.

i also have each on a kasa wifi switch that i can reboot remotely using the kasa app not through hubitat.

4

For the exact reason you mentioned is probably why it is a bad idea. To feel confident you can do updates with a very high degree of success you need probably a few things hubitat can't provide.

  1. A way to power cycle the Hub
  2. Access to the hub that isn't dependent on Hubitat cloud.
  3. You probably should also have a documented the Mac address to have access to the diag page if needed.

^^^^^ What he said.

5

Obviously that’s why not, your hub doesn’t know you’re remote if you’ve VPNed into your LAN.

I agree that this is a general best practice when updating any always-on server.

It’s not limited to Hubitat; sometimes things go sideways during a system update and if you’re not on-site to manage the aftermath, your options might be pretty limited (though there are of course ways to try to work around those limitations).

6

I would add....

"Warning message - Don't Update Remotely ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE OUT OF TOWN BUT WIFE AND KIDS ARE STILL AT HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7

At least in that scenario, there’s manual button pushers at home that can still be commanded remotely.

Unless they’re teenagers…

8

Add a few more "!" and you're on to something. :stuck_out_tongue:

9

My 8-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter are button pushers definitely. Unfortunately, they don't know the concept of double press and if a button doesn't work immediately they just start pushing the buttons over and over and over and over again and then getting mad at me because whatever is not working. My wife does the same

10

Thanks for the mental image of your wife and kids each standing in front of a button and mashing them repeatedly. I'll be giggling all afternoon... :wink:

11

It does beg the question of what is the "Update Software" button on the remote admin login page? Clearly not firmware, but what?

Screenshot 2026-05-19 072636
Screenshot 2026-05-19 0726361912×423 22.5 KB

12

Just used this button to run a database update to 2.5.0.143.

The link runs the update locally for you. It's a bit different in that you don't see the usual screens while waiting for the hub to reboot. Had to wait and try to connect later.

Wanted to get the update to resolve the remote access issue. We're out of town for R+R. Doing Hubitat while it rains.....

13

I started this thread but want to give an update.
Based on what someone said I ordered a Wi-Fi plug that can be accessed remotely for $13,31 for 2 on Amazon

Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini 15A, Smart Home Wi-Fi Outlet Works with Alexa, Google Home & IFTTT, No Hub Required, UL Certified, 2.4G WiFi Only, 2 Count (Pack of 1)(EP10P2) , White