# Zigbee devices becoming unresponsive after a period of inactivity

**URL:** <https://community.homey.app/t/zigbee-devices-becoming-unresponsive-after-a-period-of-inactivity/160161>\
**Category:** Questions & Help\
**Created:** [September 29, 2026, 6:46am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/zigbee-devices-becoming-unresponsive-after-a-period-of-inactivity/160161 "2026-09-29T06:46:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Cube-Penining](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/cube-penining/32/171934_2.png) [@Cube-Penining](https://community.homey.app/u/Cube-Penining)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 6:46am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/zigbee-devices-becoming-unresponsive-after-a-period-of-inactivity/160161/1 "2026-09-29T06:46:12Z")

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Good morning,

Could it be that I am experiencing the same issue?

I have the impression that some Zigbee devices go into a kind of sleep mode after being idle for a while.

I notice this with a Tuya Zigbee button. When I press the button, nothing happens. If I press it again, it seems to wake up and then immediately performs the programmed action(s).

I have noticed similar behaviour with some Lidl Zigbee switches/power strips as well.

However, I am also experiencing this with Philips Hue sensors that are connected directly to my Homey Pro 2026.

I have two sensors installed for testing, an older model and a newer model. If they haven’t detected any movement for a while, I sometimes have to move my hand in front of the sensor several times before they respond. After that, they work normally for a while.

But if I come back, for example, 20 minutes later, the same problem occurs again.

Has anyone else noticed this behaviour, and is there a known solution?

It is particularly annoying with the motion sensors, as they should respond immediately when movement is detected.

Kind regards,

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**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 9:31am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/zigbee-devices-becoming-unresponsive-after-a-period-of-inactivity/160161/2 "2026-09-29T09:31:43Z")

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> [@Cube-Penining](#):
>
> I have the impression that some Zigbee devices go into a kind of sleep mode after being idle for a while.

True, battery powered zigbee devices do to extend battery life.  
This is the case for most z-wave or wifi battery operated devices as well.

Still I was surprised my Sonoff buttons show the same behaviour: few times a press works right away, but often it needs to be pressed two times.  
At the same time I have to be careful not to perform a “double press” 🫣  
These are the only zigbee devices (of 70 in total) showing this behaviour.

Sensors however should not show this behaviour; all my zigbee sensors respond right away → I guessume you possibly have to

- add more zigbee routers in the mix (almost any mains powered zigbee device acts as zigbee router)
- tune your zigbee & 2.4GHz wifi channels, because they can interfere badly;
- replace the power unit, which can improve wireless performance:  
[https://community.homey.app/t/advanced-zigbee-troubleshooting-on-homey/115930?u=peter\_kawa](https://community.homey.app/t/advanced-zigbee-troubleshooting-on-homey/115930)

Battery operated 433MHz and IR devices don’t have this “delay” or “not responding immediately” issue, because they only send a signal as “fire and forget”; there’s no network or checks to run.