Zigbee

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name: Zigbee description: Deploy and troubleshoot Zigbee mesh networks for home automation. metadata: {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🐝","os":["linux","darwin","win32"]}}

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Mesh Network Traps

Battery devices don't route — only mains-powered devices extend mesh

Mesh needs routers every 10-15m — one coordinator alone has limited range

Adding routers requires rebuilding routes — devices don't automatically find new paths

First devices paired become mesh backbone — pair routers before sensors

Coordinator Issues

Only one coordinator per network — two coordinators create two separate networks

Coordinator stick placement matters — USB extension away from computer reduces interference

Coordinator migration loses all pairings — backup before switching hardware

Some sticks need firmware flash — Sonoff, CC2531 don't work out of box

WiFi Interference

Zigbee shares 2.4GHz spectrum — WiFi channels overlap with Zigbee channels

Zigbee channel 11 = WiFi channel 1, Zigbee 25 = WiFi 11 — pick non-overlapping

Default Zigbee channel 11 often worst — conflicts with common WiFi defaults

Changing Zigbee channel requires re-pairing all devices — choose carefully initially

Compatibility Issues

"Zigbee compatible" doesn't mean interoperable — some devices only work with their hub

Xiaomi/Aqara devices drop off generic coordinators — need specific handling

Tuya Zigbee often requires their gateway — may not pair with Zigbee2MQTT

Check device compatibility list before buying — not all Zigbee is equal

Pairing Problems

Pairing mode timeout is short — be ready before enabling

Factory reset required if previously paired — hold button 5-10 seconds

Distance during pairing matters — pair close to coordinator, move after

Some devices need multiple reset attempts — keep trying

Groups vs Binding

Groups: coordinator sends one command to all — requires coordinator online

Binding: direct device-to-device — works without coordinator, lower latency

Binding a switch to bulbs survives coordinator reboot — groups don't

Not all devices support binding — check before planning automation

Battery Devices

Battery sensors sleep aggressively — commands only received on wake

Check-in intervals vary by device — some wake every hour, others every few seconds

Reporting thresholds affect battery life — frequent updates drain faster

Replacing battery sometimes requires re-pairing — device forgets network

Common Failures

Device shows online but doesn't respond — try power cycle, check routing

Intermittent responses — mesh too sparse, add routers

Delayed commands — routing through many hops, add closer router

New device won't pair — network in wrong mode, coordinator issue, or device not reset