NO. 1 Z-WAVE PAIRING TRICK

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. 

1. Configuration errors sometimes occur during the pairing process. As a result, the device is not successfully paired but neither is it ready for another pairing attempt - it needs to be excluded first.
2. You might have received an item that has been previously associated with a different Z-Wave network (maybe it was tested at a factory and is still part of that network). Luckily, you’re able to exclude a Z-Wave unit from any network using your controller.

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:

Z-Box Hub

1. Click the gear icon in the sidebar menu to access Settings.
2. You will be redirected to the Devices menu.
3. Click the red Remove device button in the top right corner.
4. Select the Z-Wave Device option.
5. Get ready to activate your Z-Wave device and click Start.
6. While the Z-Box Hub is in exclusion mode, perform the device-specific exclusion confirmation (e.g., a physical button press).
7. The Z-Box Hub will confirm that the device has been removed and you can now try adding it again to your system.

Home Assistant

1. In Home Assistant, go to Settings > Devices and Services > Z-Wave JS > Configure.
2. Click on Remove Device.
3. Click on Start Exclusion.
4. While Home Assistant is in exclusion mode, perform the device-specific exclusion confirmation (e.g., a physical button press).
5. Home Assistant will confirm that the device was removed, and you should now be able to pair your device with the system.

Hubitat

1. Go to Settings
2. Click on Z-Wave Details
3. Click on Z-Wave Exclude
4. While Hubitat is in exclusion mode, perform the device-specific exclusion confirmation (e.g., a physical button press).
5. You should receive confirmation of exclusion once the unit is excluded

SmartThings

1. Make sure your device works manually or is powered up
2. Go to the Devices tab in your SmartThings app
3. Tap Home hub (or custom name of your ST hub)
4. Tap the 3-dot icon in the top right corner
5. Tap Settings
6. Tap Z-Wave Utilities
7. Tap Z-Wave Exclusion
8. The app will show this message: “To delete Z-Wave devices, follow the manufacturer's instructions.” There will also be a spinning circle over the message.
9. While Exclusion Mode is active, perform the device-specific exclusion confirmation (e.g., a physical button press).
10. The app will confirm device exclusion
11. Tap Done

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).

HomeSeer

1. In the web interface, go to the PLUG-INS drop-down menu and select Z-Wave
2. Click on Controller Management
3. Look for the the Z-Wave Interfaces area and expand your Z-Wave Controller section
4. Open the Actions menu and select Remove/Exclude a Node
5. Click the Start button and perform the exclusion sequence on the Z-Wave device you need to reset
6. When the process is complete, you’ll see a confirmation message on your screen: "DONE - Remove Node Operation is Complete."

Wink

1. Go to the main Hub page within the app
2. Click on the three dots (Settings) in the upper right corner
3. Click on Wink Hub
4. Scroll down and click on Z-Wave Controls.
5. Select Exclusion Mode
6. Perform the device specific exclusion action on your device (see manual for details)
7. Your Wink hub LED indicator will go from blinking blue to solid green to indicate exclusion was successful

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.

Nexia

1. Press the exclusion ("-") button on the hub
2. Activate the device for exclusion (e.g., a physical button press, check your manual) to reset it

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