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.
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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.