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 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!
June 24, 2026

You've probably heard the term Z-Wave thrown around if you've been shopping for smart home devices, especially anything related to security systems, door locks, or home automation hubs. But what actually is Z-Wave, and why do so many serious smart home setups rely on it? Here's everything you need to know to get started!
The most important thing to understand about Z-Wave is that it's completely separate from your home's Wi-Fi. Z-Wave devices communicate on their own low-power radio frequency, which means your smart home traffic isn't competing with your streaming, video calls, or anything else on your internet network.
June 04, 2026
If you’ve ever tried shopping for smart switches, you already know how quickly things can spiral. What starts as “I just want a smart dimmer for my kitchen” somehow turns into reading about 3-way wiring, traveler wires, load ratings, relay switches, neutral wires, smart bulb mode, and whether your exhaust fan will explode if you accidentally install the wrong dimmer.
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December 26, 2025
If you love a good DIY project and a touch of smart home magic, you’ll be blown away by what YouTuber DIY With Vinny pulled off. His YouTube tutorial transforms a simple closet into a fully automated, jaw-droppingly smart space, from leak detection to mood lighting and robot-friendly automation.
The best part? It’s powered by some seriously smart Zooz Z-Wave gear that makes everything run seamlessly behind the scenes. All of the Zooz devices featured here support the new Z-Wave Long Range protocol, so your smart home stays connected and responsive, even across floors, garages, or detached spaces.
Let’s take a tour of this build and peek at how you can recreate it in your own home.
ST
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.