# Is my Homey "dead-ish" or is z-wave transmission power very low? **URL:** \ **Category:** Questions & Help\ **Created:** [September 17, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807 "2018-09-17T17:11:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kaz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/kaz/32/10315_2.png) [@kaz](https://community.homey.app/u/kaz)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/1 "2018-09-17T17:11:14Z")
Hi, I’m trying to migrate my Smartthings home setup to a brand new Homey. In general I am impressed (Apart from processor speed and memory) it seems to integrate more than SmartThings. But my issues are that transmission FROM Homey to devices can be “challenging” to say the least. So just on my “ground floor” - covers about 70 sqm - (11m x 6.5 ish) - I have issues with range. Homey is in kitchen - roughly 4 meter in. But it have issues talking to SmartSensor 6 (fw 1.11) 4 meters away and Smart Switch 6 (fw 1.01) 7 meters away and WallMote about 3 meters away (through plaster walls) I have also tried with Fibaro relay’s and Fibaro motion sensors and qubino sensors - all have the same issues. I even had issues paring Smart Switch 6’s IN the kitchen until I moved them within 1m of the Homey (from 3 to 1m) - pairing would die randomly at 20-70% of adaptation procedure. It seems like ONCE a sensor is paired - Homey has very few issues receiving data from it - even from wide distances. But transmitting is a huge problem. Compared to Smartthings hub - I would say about 1/2 to 1/3 of the transmission range! And the box is bigger with room for much better antenna? So is my homey a “production” error and should I get it exchanged? - or does everybody else have the same issues? ---
**Author:** ![TedTolboom](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/tedtolboom/32/12081_2.png) [@TedTolboom](https://community.homey.app/u/TedTolboom)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 5:23pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/2 "2018-09-17T17:23:25Z")
Homey does not (yet) support inclusion over the mesh network… so the advise is to include the devices in close proximity to Homey. After the inclusion, the mesh network will take over to extend the range ---
**Author:** ![kaz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/kaz/32/10315_2.png) [@kaz](https://community.homey.app/u/kaz)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 5:45pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/3 "2018-09-17T17:45:39Z")
Hi Ted In my kitchen I only have Homey & the device(s) I was trying to setup. So no inclusion via Mesh at all. It was as direct as could be.All other devices was further away than Homey in the opposite direction so way past the Homey. Right now I just did another test of SmartThings vs Homey. One SmartThings socket vs one Smart Socket 6 - same distance each in either side of plug. SmartThings works no issues. Homey struggles and turns on/off every 6-7th try. ---
**Author:** ![PetervdK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/petervdk/32/20669_2.png) [@PetervdK](https://community.homey.app/u/PetervdK)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 10:27pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/4 "2018-09-17T22:27:20Z")
Sounds very familiar. I had/have the same issues. I installed coolcam plugs on every floor in every room to create a mesh network. This works better, but even now there are too many errors to be trustworthy. Same issues with 433 and 868 transmission, the range is very bad. Worse than my HomeWizard (even without the extended antenna hack on it, which covers the whole building and the shed in the back of the garden). Homey doesn’t even reach KaKu devices in the same room… Zigbee is even worse, never been able to add even one device. ---
**Author:** ![Michael](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/michael/32/110520_2.png) [@Michael](https://community.homey.app/u/Michael)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 9:32am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/5 "2018-09-18T09:32:58Z")
The 1.5.13 Final firmware should extend the range of 433 and 868mhz. " 1.5.13-rc.11 experimental ``` [433 Mhz] Improved signal reception and transmission [868 Mhz] Improved signal reception and transmission ``` … ---
**Author:** ![kaz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/kaz/32/10315_2.png) [@kaz](https://community.homey.app/u/kaz)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 9:52am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/6 "2018-09-18T09:52:50Z")
Hi Michael, the 433/868 Mhz is the ones they send/receive via the TI CC1101 chips - so .13 has NO (apparent) impact on Zigbee or Z-Wave as they run through other wireless chips. But I think Athom’s tuning of the Z-Wave chip is “wrong” - normally you tune transmission and receive parameters to get the best **balance** for sending and receiving. But I think they have turned down output dBm far too much. That then gives you great receive sensitivity but bad transmit performance. And that is exactly what I’m seeing compared to SmartThings on Z-Wave. The Homey has almost NO issues getting data from the devices (like power consumption data) but turning power on/off is close to impossible. - I just put in a Zipato Siren that works as extender (so for “fun”) and put it in the kitchen about 2m from the Homey - but same distance from “problem devices” - result - many devices now “semi” works through the Zipato siren. (The Siren is a crap device by itself - but seems to work “reasonable” as a z-wave repeater) ---
**Author:** ![remco\_de\_wit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/remco_de_wit/32/11346_2.png) [@remco\_de\_wit](https://community.homey.app/u/remco_de_wit)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 11:34am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/7 "2018-09-18T11:34:51Z")
1.5.13 rc 11 release, the connections between homey and zwave sensors is so poor. connection loss, tamper alerts. before the update everything worked fine ---
**Author:** ![kaz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/kaz/32/10315_2.png) [@kaz](https://community.homey.app/u/kaz)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 12:02pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/8 "2018-09-18T12:02:51Z")
Im on 1.5.12 and I find z-wave really bad from Homey - so if 1.5.13 makes it worse? Wore you on 1.5.12 before? ---
**Author:** ![remco\_de\_wit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/remco_de_wit/32/11346_2.png) [@remco\_de\_wit](https://community.homey.app/u/remco_de_wit)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 2:32pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/9 "2018-09-18T14:32:55Z")
made it worse for me. i had no troubles. the troubles began with 1.5.13 . ---
**Author:** ![DaneedeKruyff](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/daneedekruyff/32/964_2.png) [@DaneedeKruyff](https://community.homey.app/u/DaneedeKruyff)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 2:37pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/10 "2018-09-18T14:37:47Z")
Did you check if there’s an issue for it [here](https://github.com/athombv/homey/issues) and added your findings? Athom is not actively monitoring this forum. ---
**Author:** ![PetervdK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/petervdk/32/20669_2.png) [@PetervdK](https://community.homey.app/u/PetervdK)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 5:26am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/11 "2018-09-20T05:26:43Z")
> [@remco\_de\_wit](#): > > made it worse for me. i had no troubles. > > the troubles began with 1.5.13 . But which version did you run before updating to 1.5.13? ---
**Author:** ![remco\_de\_wit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/remco_de_wit/32/11346_2.png) [@remco\_de\_wit](https://community.homey.app/u/remco_de_wit)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2018, 10:04am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/12 "2018-09-20T10:04:16Z")
the normal update s which athom provides, i dont update myself , if it works i dont give a damn about the version number . ---
**Author:** ![Yaya](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/yaya/32/941_2.png) [@Yaya](https://community.homey.app/u/Yaya)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 8:16pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/13 "2018-11-14T20:16:14Z")
Hi all, I have the same problem. My Homey can’t talk with my two Fibaro Motion Sensors and my Zipato Keypad (Z-wave) if they are more than 1m away ! It works fine with my Aqara sensors (Zigbee) which are in other rooms, 10 or 15 meters away. It is weird as Z-wave is supposed to have a better range than Zigbee… Is there any way to correct this without having to put a wall plug as repetitor every single meter ? Because as of now, my Brand new Homey is absolutely useless ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Jamie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/jamie/32/5274_2.png) [@Jamie](https://community.homey.app/u/Jamie)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2018, 5:32am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/14 "2018-11-15T05:32:02Z")
Could you try putting a (powered) Zwave Node between the Homey (1m) and your devices. As that will now become the ‘transmitter’ If that solves your problem then I would suggest you contact support as there may be something wrong with your Homey. * * * If as you suggest you need to put a ‘wall plug/repeater’ every 1 meter then you might have much bigger problems, and its not related to Homey. (ie. The transmission power of homey is irrelevant once it moves on to the next node in the mesh). ---
**Author:** ![Yaya](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/yaya/32/941_2.png) [@Yaya](https://community.homey.app/u/Yaya)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2018, 9:38pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/15 "2018-11-17T21:38:13Z")
Well, I installed a Fibaro single switch around 1.5m away from my Homey and since, all my 3 z-wave devices are working well… Le jeu. 15 nov. 2018 à 06:42, Jamie Peake [athom@discoursemail.com](mailto:athom@discoursemail.com) a écrit : ---
**Author:** ![Jamie](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/jamie/32/5274_2.png) [@Jamie](https://community.homey.app/u/Jamie)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2018, 11:11am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/16 "2018-11-18T11:11:26Z")
Head to the developer zwave section [https://developer.athom.com/tools/zwave](https://developer.athom.com/tools/zwave) If everything is now going through your new device, there may be an issue with the strength of your zWave on homey and you should contact at support. Though it hard to judge the signal strengths / mesh with just three devices. ---
**Author:** ![roy1986](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/roy1986/32/10373_2.png) [@roy1986](https://community.homey.app/u/roy1986)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2018, 9:51pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/17 "2018-11-19T21:51:34Z")
Same problem here when controlling a Qubino flush relay. If i put homey at ~1m from the Qubino, it works flawless. But when I put at roughly 4 meters with a wall in between, it fails almost all the time. Quite frustrating, hopefully it will be solved in a future firmware release or Homey is not worth the money for me… ---
**Author:** ![UglyDuckling2k](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/uglyduckling2k/32/2111_2.png) [@UglyDuckling2k](https://community.homey.app/u/UglyDuckling2k)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 8:00pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/18 "2018-11-21T20:00:05Z")
Same experience here. As I wrote earlier in this thread before it was locked. > [@Random z-wave behavior](https://community.homey.app/t/random-z-wave-behavior/4313): > > I have just installed a Homey together with 6 Telldus Mini Plug-in switches. But I have some issues that makes the entire setup wothless. After some trial and error I figured out that the switches had to be 'centimeters" from the controller for the pairing to work. But when everything finally was paired and placed I cannot get the switches to work consistenly. For example, when I run a flow to turn on the six switches it sometimes works, but mostly one or two random switches never toggle. My… Starting to regret not reading this forum before buying a Homey… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![UglyDuckling2k](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/uglyduckling2k/32/2111_2.png) [@UglyDuckling2k](https://community.homey.app/u/UglyDuckling2k)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2018, 8:41pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/is-my-homey-dead-ish-or-is-z-wave-transmission-power-very-low/1807/20 "2018-11-21T20:41:20Z")
Nobody wants this to work more than me, trust me. But it’s just frustrating when I´m not even getting the most simple of setups working. Yes, I think z-wave is builiding a mesh. I even repositioned two switches as repeaters now, so now it cannot be more than a 2 meters between each switch, ![Nodes](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/2X/b/be1955e0db41b99e6d3c4bca9c53afbb6ce6b522.png)