Z-Wave Pairing

Despite extensive research and seamless installation of similar devices, you are unable to connect a switch or sensor with your Z-Wave device. Before you fret, there is a solution to the inconvenience that has kept you from moving forward with your device, and it involves excluding the item from your network.

Unpairing a device that has never been included in your network may seem like an unlikely resolution to a successful connection. However, two reasons suggest the need to do so. Should a configuration error occur, not only is the device is unsuccessfully paired, but it is also no longer ready for another attempt to pair. Before moving forward, it needs to be excluded. Another reason could be your item’s previous association with a different Z-Wave network. Even if your item is brand new in the box, it went through quality assurance before it was sold to you. Manufactures have gotten a bad reputation for not excluding the device before it reaches their resellers and then into your hands. Fortunately, it is possible to unpair a Z-Wave unit from any network by using your Z-Wave controller.     

Tips to Consider Before Beginning:

*Our favorite method to excluding a device is to use the Aeon Labs Z-Wave USB controller. If you are doing a big install and need to quickly reset devices this should be in your tool belt! Simply hold down the button on the USB controller and wait for it to rapidly flash. Then activate your Z-Wave device. Right after you should see the USB flash quickly notifying you that it was successfully excluded. At this point you're ready to pair this device to your Z-Wave Hub.

*All Z-Wave Controllers can be placed into excluded mode. Keep in mind some controllers use different terminology for exclude. (Remove, Factory Reset, Unpair, etc.) When in doubt, double check your Hub’s instructions. You can always google, “How to exclude a device on (nexia, fibaro, vera, etc.) and find the proper instructions.

*When excluding you typically want to be in the house by yourself or warn people not turn on and off lights while you are  in exclude mode. This can prevent a huge headache of paring back devices you never intended to exclude in the first place.

Need to exclude devices with SmartThings?

For Android and iOS users:

1. Tap the menu  
2. Tap the Hub
3. Tap Z-Wave Utilities
4. Tap General Device Exclusion
5. When you see the message "Please follow manufacturer's instructions to remove the Z-Wave device from My SmartThings," perform the required exclusion process (e.g., pressing a button on the device)

For Windows users:

1. Tap the three dots at the bottom right
2. Tap Locations
3. Tap Edit
4. Tap your Hub
5. Tap Z-Wave Utilities
6. Tap General Device Exclusion
7. When you see the message "Please follow manufacturer's instructions to remove the Z-Wave device from My SmartThings," perform the required exclusion process (e.g., pressing a button on the device)

If the reset is executed successfully, you will see a message that says the device has been successfully removed from SmartThings. You will then be free to connect the device by following these steps.

Excluding a Device with Wink

(This is all done by using your phone app)

1. Log into your Wink hub
2. Click the Menu button in the upper right hand corner
3. Under "Hub Units", click on "Hub" and then "Z-Wave Controls"
4. This pulls up the menu to add generic Z-Wave devices: click on “Exclusion Mode”
5. Once in Exclusion Mode you just need to active the device you are trying to exclude. You will be ready to pair the device again!