Zwave network unusable since latest firmware 2.4.0.145

[user3539]

---

(C7 on 2.4.0.145).

Applied this update last night and now this morning my zwave network is unstable. Device repairs are failing even one by one. I do see some devices states update, but there's no repairs that seem to work. I've tried powering down the hub which has helped when this has happened once or twice in the past 4 years. But it isn't helping now. What should I do?

Repairs time out while updating neighbors; even the nodes that have updated their states (which is only 3 of 11)

[danabw]

Nothing in .145 related to Z-Wave that would have had an effect on your Z-Wave mesh, so the reboot likely tripped a problem waiting to happen.

I'd try the shut down/pull power/wait 30s/restore power dance one more time, just in case. That almost always clears these types of events after a reboot.

No significant changes to your hub recently? No new Z-Wave devices added or removed?

[user3539]

I did the restore and trying to refresh all devices with no 'last message'. Maybe it was just as unstable with the version prior and I hadn't noticed. So far, each node is responding. Thanks for the suggestion as it seems to be working now. Much appreciated.

[danabw]

@user3539

Thanks for the suggestion as it seems to be working now. Much appreciated.

At this point with my own hub, this is when I back away from it w/both hands in the air...

But...at some point if you are having problems w/your Z-Wave devices you might want to post screen shots of your entire Z-Wave details page so folks can ID and help you resolve any issues found.

[user3539]

I spoke too soon. This morning I'm back to the same issues. Repairs fail on 3 or 4 of 15 devices that have always had at least 5-10 reachable neighbors. Nothing else has changed other than updating firmware. I'm going to try reverting to prior firmware to see what happens.

UPDATE; reverted to 2.3.9.201 and all but 2 devices completed a zwave repair without timing out. I don't get how these devices show 6 neighbors but can't respond! I'm stuck and out of ideas.

[user3539]

Somehow, running repair is killing everything. I shutdown again. Once booted and allowed 5 minutes of idle time, I am able to control everything. I don't know how or why running Repair and letting it finish (successfully or failing) would cause the entire network to be unusable. I'm leaving firmware at 2.3.9.201 till some explanation is offered or new firmware indicates something was discovered and fixed.

[jtp10181]

@user3539

I don't know how or why running Repair and letting it finish (successfully or failing) would cause the entire network to be unusable.

Because it causes every single node to go into route discover mode. Then every single device one by one pings every other device to determine neighbors and routes. I have seen a zniffer log of the this process and it is pretty intense.

When things are unstable, the more you run repairs the WORSE it will get. Repair does not do what you think it does.

If you have any dead/ghost nodes on the mesh that can compound the problem because every device will be trying to reach dead nodes for discovery.

[rlithgow1]

For giggles can you post your z-wave details page in it's entirety? (Use windows snip)

[tony.fleisher]

@user3539

Somehow, running repair is killing everything. I shutdown again. Once booted and allowed 5 minutes of idle time, I am able to control everything. I don't know how or why running Repair and letting it finish (successfully or failing) would cause the entire network to be unusable.

This is the nature of Z-wave repair. If some devices are having communication problems, or the network is very busy, a network wide repair could cause increased instability in the network. In general, network wide repair should not be necessary and is generally not recommended unless you have relocated the hub or made significant changes to the network (e.g. adding, removing, or moving many mains-powered devices).

Here are a few post from Hubitat Staff that may help you understand what repair is doing (and perhaps when it is and isn't a good idea to use it):

Z-Wave Repair

Z-Wave repair re-creates routes for nodes on your mesh. There is no magic behind this process, and it will not revive failed devices. Most of this process is for legacy devices, but it can help to occasionally run repair on a Z-Wave plus network as well. Z-Wave Plus was designed to not need repairs and will self-heal. What happens during a Z-Wave repair: The Hubitat Hub will do a quick assessment of your network and create a repair plan that organizes the nodes to repair. It does this to ma…

Facts about Z-Wave Repair

With results in from various social media outlets, here is what people believe the right answer should be: [image] 31% thought true is correct answer [image] [image] 47% thought true is correct answer [image] [image] 28% thought true is correct answer [image] And the right answer is: FALSE And here is why: According to Bryan Copeland, our Z-Wave specialist, for the repair process to work, the hub must be able to reach the device. The first task of the repair is to request the list…

[user3539]

Uploaded device list as suggested. I'm leaving things well enough alone for now since it works.

[user3539]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know Repair caused more problems. I also had 2 or 3 failures of individual device repairs. I only tried the full repair button at the top once and never will again.

[jtp10181]

Just realized you have a C7, check if you have a "Firmware Update" button on the zwave details page. If button is there you have an update for the z-wave firmware.

@jtp10181

Z-Wave Issues

For C-7 Hub, make sure you do not have a Z-Wave firmware update: [Instructions HERE]
The Update Firmware button is hidden when the Z-Wave firmware is already up to date.
Use http://YOUR.HUB.IP/hub/zwaveVersion to check your version info.

[user3539]

I did this step " yourHubIP*/hub/advanced/installZipgateway715"
It is said it was successful and to reboot. I did.

It then says to click Update Firmware which is not on my zwave details page.

I then did this " yourHubIP*/hub/advanced/installZipgateway718"
Also said again "success, please reboot" which I did.

Still don't see any "Update Firmware" button.

I used the URL to find my zwave version and it says this:

VersionReport(zWaveLibraryType:7, zWaveProtocolVersion:7, zWaveProtocolSubVersion:18, firmware0Version:7, firmware0SubVersion:18, hardwareVersion:1, firmwareTargets:1, targetVersions:[[target:1, version:7, subVersion:18]])

[TheRetiredViking]

I am about as ignorant in these matters as I am in how to cook a proper souffle, but, let me take a huge shot in the air and see where the bullet lands.

How about this? Shut down your hub, using the proper shutdown sequence. Pull power. Then, before restoring power, go around and shut off the power to the circuits feeding the Z-Wave devices. I am assuming wall switches, outlets, and other mains-powered devices. Maybe 30 seconds on each. I suspect one or two are jumbled in some way, and need a jump start as much as or more than your HE does. Again, I don't know what I am doing...

[jtp10181]

@user3539

Still don't see any "Update Firmware" button.

@jtp10181

The Update Firmware button is hidden when the Z-Wave firmware is already up to date.

Showing 7.18, you are already updated.