March 04, 2015 51 Comments
Sometimes you just can’t pair a sensor or a switch with your Z-Wave hub, no matter what you try. You’ve done your research and installed similar devices without any problems. You’re positive this unit is compatible with your hub and yet it will not include.
We have found a solution that will work most of the time if everything else has failed. As strange as it may sound, the trick is to exclude the item from your network.
How to unpair a Z-Wave device that has not been paired with your controller yet?
Simply send the appropriate command to put the controller in “exclusion mode”. Keep in mind that every hub is a little different when it comes to executing this process and you’ll want to have your device manual around to perform the device-specific exclusion confirmation (e.g., a physical button press) which is unique for every device.
Here are the step-by-step exclusion instructions for the most popular Z-Wave systems:
Once exclusion is completed, please try adding the device again by clicking the "+" icon on the home screen, selecting "Add device" from the drop-down menu, and clicking on Scan Nearby or Scan QR Code if your device supports SmartStart.
While the app is looking for new devices, perform the device-specific inclusion confirmation (e.g., a physical button press).
After the exclusion process, try including the device again. And don't forget to check if the product is supported by Wink here.
NOTE: Sometimes, you will have to repeat the above process a few times before the unit is excluded. Always look for the appropriate indicator that the device is ready to be paired, like a flashing LED light.
December 12, 2019
The SmartThings guidance is just what I needed. I tried GE’s manuals and other recommendations on Z-Wave instructions for my GE Outdoor Plug-In module, but nothing worked until I tried the exclusion setup. Thanks for saving me the additional aggravation time and effort!
September 04, 2019
Hi Larry! Nope, you need to activate each Z-Wave device to exclude it from the hub so enrolling Wink in exclusion mode will not in itself remove all devices from your system.
August 31, 2019
If I use the exclusion option on the Wink app for a Z-Wave device that I am unable to make work on the Wink app;. will it exclude all Z-Wave devices on the Hub?
August 27, 2019
Hi Jim,
That’s possible. We’ve never carried Piper and it’s not use by many of our customers so we’d recommend getting in touch with Piper support to get this one resolved for you!
August 26, 2019
I cannot get either of my get either of my GE Jasco Z-wave outdoor switches to pair with my Piper unit anymore. They do not show up on the accessories which means I cannot uninstall and start over. They just will no longer install. Wondering if this is Piper in the process of “obsoleting” everything to do with their security system that got shelved after a couple of takeovers of bigger security providers.
August 03, 2019
Great to hear, we’re happy we could help Cris!
August 02, 2019
You are a genius. This worked after numerous failed pairing attempts. Thank you!
August 31, 2018
Hi Jeremy, yes, you need to activate each device according to its manual since each one works a bit differently. Some require a triple press of the z-wave button, some require a quick triple-click on the switch paddle. They all need to be activated during exclusion and inclusion though. Wink support should also be able to guide you through the process.
August 29, 2018
I have my z-wave devices connected to adt hub.(outlets/door locks/thermostats/ect) I want to stop using adt. i bought a Wink2 but can’t get any of my devices to pair. do i need to do anything with each switch or outlet to get it to pair with Wink2? Seems like i can’t get the devices to go into learning mode.
Thanks
August 07, 2018
Hi Bill, unfortunately we don’t have any experience with Frontpoint security and wouldn’t even be able to confirm they’re Z-Wave. Alarm panels usually use the Z-Wave protocol for automation devices like plugs, switches, locks, or thermostats but they tend to use the 433 MHz frequency for their security devices. And while the idea is similar, the technology is quite different and to our knowledge, SmartThings wouldn’t recognized these devices. We recommend getting in touch with either Frontpoint or SmartThings so they can confirm our assumptions for you. Sorry we couldn’t be more helpful here!
August 06, 2018
I am leaving Frontpoint for home security and using a SmartThings hub. I know the motion and door sensors on the Frontpoint system are Z-wave, but they were programmed at the factory and do not have an obvious pair switch. I have excluded the devices thru Frontpoint from the hub. Wondering if you know of a way to re-pair devices like this… or if there’s a way to use a connector directly on the board to force it into learning/pairing mode. I’ve paid for the equipment outright and would like to reuse the door and motion sensors.
July 20, 2018
Hi Mario, every Z-Wave device needs to enroll in exclusion mode, this is an official requirement from Z-Wave Alliance. Sometimes you won’t be able to find it in the manual but it’s usually the same trigger as you use for inclusion so simply click on Retry on your Vera and follow the steps for inclusion in your lock. Another thing to try would be to perform a hard reset on the lock, you should be able to find it in the instructions but if you can’t, get in touch with Yale support and they should be able to walk you through the process.
July 17, 2018
Hi… I just purchased a new Yale Lock YRL210 as I was having trouble with an older Yale lock and my Veralite. I reset the veralite and added my hue lights again. Now I try to add the Yale Lock without success. Vera people advised to exclude and include as you also suggest. The problem is that my new Yale lock does not allow exclusion option (#7 and #3), is not avalilable option. So the exclusion/inclusion trick does not work in this case. Any ideas? best regards. Mario
June 12, 2018
No problem Alan, glad we could help!
June 11, 2018
Thank you…..this worked perfectly!!!!!
June 05, 2018
Hi Mario, good question! Z-Wave devices can only be included to one network (one hub) because they communicate locally via radio signal, not in the cloud like Nest or Ring. This keeps the communication fast, private, and secure but unfortunately ties devices to single controllers unless the hubs are interconnected between one another, a good example would be the joint offer from ADT Pulse and SmartThings. If you’d like to have your ADT security system working nicely with a good smart home hub, this may be a better solution for you.
June 05, 2018
Yes, unpairing and pairing worked perfectly with the Watercop and Winkhub2. The first attempts at pairing were unsuccessful. I am using the Dome leak sensor and the Watercop and the setup works flawlessly with the Wink Hub 2
June 02, 2018
Hello, is it possible to connect switches/outlets/etc. to multiple hubs? I’m trying to use wink and adt pulse. So far I can only get the switches and outlets to one or the other. Ring and nest connect to both no problem.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks!
June 01, 2018
Glad it helped Dave :) Good luck building your Z-Wave network!
June 01, 2018
Best advice ever for Z-Wave problems !!! Worked like a charm on two Kwikset Locks.
May 05, 2018
Hi Barry,
The trick is to actually exclude the devices which are not showing up so you need to make sure you’re using the SmartThings Classic app and follow the steps for general exclusion for EACH of the switches and other z-wave devices you want to add to your network. If you’re running into problems, feel free to reach out to our support or contact SmartThings for assistance.
May 05, 2018
I had a successfully working Samsung Hub with 4 various GE Z Wave switches. Because of a rogue command that switched my bedroom light on unasked for, I reset the hub to factory settings, deleted the SmartThings app and started over. Now, while the hub works, I cannot get any devices to pair. I am trying to exclude the hub (it is the only device showing up) but it seems to be in a permanent loop. The Samsung hub is V.2. Can you help?
April 06, 2018
Hi Brent, it’s hard to say what’s going on since we don’t have any details on the platform (Z-Wave hub) you’re working with. But if you contact the support for your system, they should be able to answer any questions about connectivity.
April 03, 2018
Hi. I have 2 Leviton dimmers that the icon shows a cloud with an ‘x’ on it. The message at the bottom says ’ 2 lights offline’. However, I am able to turn these lights on and off with the app as if all is ok. Any idea what’s up? I have done the Zwave network rediscovery a few times but that doesn’t seem to have any affect.
December 12, 2017
No problem! We’re happy we can help ;)
December 10, 2017
I could not get 2 Z-wave smart outlets to work. This page helped me figure it out. I can’t thank you enough for having this out here for us to find !!
November 25, 2017
A friend talked to me about smart house ones, had no idea what this was about it no with this info I like to learn more about it, I’m very interested so i hope i can get some emails from you in order to learn more about this smart home and later on try to get some of this items at home, good work thanks for post such a good info.
October 04, 2017
Thank you for this! I was trying to setup a hub for the first time and about 6 THINGS would not connect. I see this was written in 2015 and now it 2017 it is still relevant.
July 29, 2017
I answered my own question on controlling one device with Nexia bridge and SmartThings hub… no.
July 29, 2017
I am just starting to experiment with smart home devices and had two different systems working before activating a SmartThings hub: 1) iHome ISP6X SmartPlug (compatible with SmartThings) controlled by the Android app, and 2) Nexia RP100 wall plug controlled by a Nexia wi-fi thermostat with built-in Z-Wave bridge. Do the two devices need to be removed from the iHome and Nexia controllers before they can be added to SmartThings, or can each be connected to two controllers (e.g. Nexia bridge and SmartThings hub)?
July 07, 2017
Thanks work perfect
May 29, 2017
This worked for me! Thanks!
May 02, 2017
Our pleasure John, it’s great to hear the article solved your issue!
May 02, 2017
Excellent work. This resolved a days old issue with my GE switch in seconds. Thanks so much for a great solution.
March 10, 2017
Thanks for the feedback Pablo, we’re glad we could help :)
Enjoy your new Z-Wave device!
March 08, 2017
Wow!!! I had the problem with a GE outdoor outlet, tried for several days trying to pair, did a research, asked in Amazon questions and NOTHING!! Until I read this post, it took me less than a minute to exclude and then FINALLY could pair my ge outlet, I just can say THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH!! I already was doing the paper work to return it to Amazon.
January 03, 2017
Hi Tom, this is a question for Wink support. We don’t work with this platform enough to have encountered a similar issue. Scene or event inclusion with other Z-Wave systems requires full configuration for the device so it’s possible the switch was not recognized properly and you may have to configure it. We recommend contacting Wink’s customer service though for best guidance on this.
December 30, 2016
I just added a GE outdoor smart switch to my wink 2 hub. It is used to power a low voltage transformer that light a carport. The device paired immediately. Works fine turning on and off from the app and works on a schudule. I can’t get it to respond to a simple robot. Ex: when garage door closes for 15 minutes turn of carport lights. Any ideas why it does not respond to a robot? Thanks
December 20, 2016
Hi ST, Unfortunately, Wink does not give you the option to change the device type within the interface so if a product is not recognized correctly out of the box, it means the product is not supported and you won’t be able to take full advantage of it using your Wink hub. Sorry!
December 19, 2016
Hello.
Through the use of exclusion/inclusion option provided here, I was able to add my ‘legacy’ Z-Wave devices in the Wink hub. Challenge is that they are getting added as Sirens and not the actual appliance or lamp module that they are. This only allows me to power on/off these devices and nothing else with them. Any suggestions on how to transfer the sirens to light or other areas of Wink app.
December 16, 2016
Hi Todd, there should be a confirmation message saying that the device has been successfully excluded. If you don’t see it, please try tapping the switch a few times very fast. If you’re still having issues connecting, then the device may be out of range and you may need a hand-held secondary controller (remote) to perform inclusion.
December 13, 2016
I have a Samsung Hub and trying to pair a GE Smartswitch model 12722. Once your in the “general device exclusion” screen and you put switch in pairing mode (which is supposed to be just turning the rocker switch on and off) should something change on the screen that would indicate to you that it worked?
December 02, 2016
Wow. Thanks man. A full hour wasted, this worked immediately!
November 10, 2016
Hi Annette, sorry it took me forever to reply, Almond’s documentation base is very modest so we had to actually go out and get their system to see how to perform exclusion. It looks like it’s the same screen where you Add devices, instead just click on Delete device on your panel and trigger the Aeon Labs module by pressing and releasing the action button a few times very quickly so the command can go through. Hope that helps!
October 08, 2016
I am trying to unfair, then repair a aeon appliance switch from a Almomd+ to another almond+.
No matter what I do, it will not disconnect, even though the hub does not recognize the switch…worked for hours and can not find a solution.
October 02, 2016
Thank you! How is it that you are the only person on the whole internet (including GE and SmartThings support) who knows about this? I was at a complete loss as to why my device could not be found.
April 29, 2016
Thanks for the feedback Anon! It’s great to hear that you found the tips helpful. Let us know if you ever have any questions about Z-Wave.
April 27, 2016
this did the trick!!! after a bunch of manual resets, using the controller’s exclusion step-by-step and trying a bunch of times – was about to throw in the towel but found these steps for the wink hub worked! thank you!!!
January 03, 2016
Billy, we’re glad to hear this trick worked for you! It’s good to remember this process in the future since it’s a common issue when switching between controllers or pairing devices which are not right next to the hub. Good luck building your Z-Wave network!
January 01, 2016
I took back an Iris system and kept 2 devices that I wanted to hook up to new Nexia Bridge. The glass break sensor hooked up immediately. The GE Outdoor Switch Module was stubborn, until I found this remedy. I had to unplug the bridge and take it under battery power and hit the minus button on the back holding it next to the GE switch 3 times (3 cycles – hit button, watch it blink for 30 seconds, and then glow steady – 3 times). At first this confused my Nexia app with an unknown error, so I had to remove the battery to reset the bridge. Upon re-hooking the bridge back up to my router and power supply, the app came back online as nothing ever happened and the GE switch was found in the very next attempt and is working like new! Thanks for this fix and posting it!!!
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John Mitchell
January 10, 2020
There are many places that will provide an answer to the following questions:“Why can’t I get my GE Z-Wave Dimmer to Exclude?” “Why can’t I get my GE Z-Wave Dimmer to pair?”
I had to exclude and re-pair about 40 GE/Honeywell/Jasco switches, dimmers and fan controllers. I was able to get all but two of them to go pretty smoothly…a GE 12724 and a GE 14291. They would simply not exclude even though in both cases the switch right next to it in the junction box had no problem. For these two I kept looking for a magical solution to get the darn things to exclude from Smartthings. Nothing. I was aware of the “hand waving” so I tried that a few times. No luck.
Answer: Hand wave continuously and quickly! Just like the kid in class with the answer. Just keep pushing the switch very quickly until it shows up as excluded. Then do the same thing to join. Still can’t believe that was it.