Troubleshooting Sonoff ZBBridge Pro Connection Issues With Zigbee2MQTT

by Kenji Nakamura 71 views

Having trouble connecting to your Sonoff ZBBridge Pro over TCP? Don't worry, you're not alone! This article dives into a common issue faced by Zigbee2MQTT (Z2M) users and provides a comprehensive guide to troubleshooting and resolving the problem. We'll break down the error logs, analyze potential causes, and offer step-by-step solutions to get your smart home back on track. So, if you're pulling your hair out trying to figure this out, stick around – we're here to help!

Understanding the Issue: Zigbee2MQTT and Sonoff ZBBridge Pro

So, you're having trouble connecting your Sonoff ZBBridge Pro to Zigbee2MQTT (Z2M), huh? This can be super frustrating, especially when everything was working smoothly before. Let's break down what's going on. You're likely using Z2M in Home Assistant, running on a VM, with your ZBBridge Pro (flashed with Tasmota) acting as the Zigbee coordinator. Your Z2M configuration probably looks something like this:

port: tcp://192.168.10.63:8888
adapter: zstack

But suddenly, the connection times out! You haven't updated anything recently, so it's not a straightforward update issue. You can still access the ZBBridge Pro's web interface through Tasmota, and even rebooting or updating Tasmota doesn't fix the problem. Let's dig deeper by looking at the Z2M logs. The logs are your best friend when troubleshooting these kinds of issues. They give you a peek into what's happening behind the scenes. Now, the key error message you're seeing is "Error: Failed to connect to the adapter (Error: SRSP - SYS - ping after 6000ms)". This means Z2M is trying to talk to the ZBBridge Pro, but it's not getting a response. Think of it like trying to call someone, but the phone just keeps ringing and ringing. The logs also show that Z2M successfully opens a TCP socket and establishes a connection, but then fails during the initial handshake process (the "ping" part). This suggests the network connection itself is working, but something is going wrong with the Zigbee communication over that connection. This can be due to a variety of factors, but we'll explore those in detail.

Decoding the Error Logs: A Deep Dive

Let's dissect those error logs further, because seriously, they're like a treasure map to fixing your Zigbee woes. You're seeing lines like:

[2025-08-01 06:26:05] info:  zh:zstack:znp: Opening TCP socket with 192.168.10.63:8888
[2025-08-01 06:26:05] info:  zh:zstack:znp: Socket connected
[2025-08-01 06:26:05] info:  zh:zstack:znp: Socket ready

These lines are actually good news! They tell us that Z2M is successfully opening a TCP connection to your Sonoff ZBBridge Pro at the specified IP address and port. The “Socket connected” and “Socket ready” messages confirm that the initial connection is established. However, the plot thickens with these lines:

[2025-08-01 06:26:05] info:  zh:zstack:znp: Writing CC2530/CC2531 skip bootloader payload
[2025-08-01 06:26:06] info:  zh:zstack:znp: Skip bootloader for CC2652/CC1352
[2025-08-01 06:26:24] error:  z2m: Error while starting zigbee-herdsman
[2025-08-01 06:26:24] error:  z2m: Failed to start zigbee-herdsman
[2025-08-01 06:26:24] error:  z2m: Check https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/guide/installation/20_zigbee2mqtt-fails-to-start_crashes-runtime.html for possible solutions
[2025-08-01 06:26:24] error:  z2m: Exiting...
[2025-08-01 06:26:24] error:  z2m: Error: Failed to connect to the adapter (Error: SRSP - SYS - ping after 6000ms)

This is where things go south. Z2M is trying to skip the bootloader process, which is normal, but then it encounters a critical error: “Failed to connect to the adapter (Error: SRSP - SYS - ping after 6000ms)”. This “ping” error suggests that Z2M is sending a command (a “ping”) to the Zigbee adapter on the ZBBridge Pro, but it's not receiving a response within the 6000ms (6 seconds) timeout. The fact that it fails after writing the bootloader payload hints at a potential issue with the Zigbee communication itself, even though the TCP connection seems to be working. To further complicate matters, the Tasmota logs on the ZBBridge Pro show that it's receiving connection attempts from the Z2M host (192.168.10.58). You see lines like:

TCP: Got connection from 192.168.10.58 (0 already connected)

This confirms that the ZBBridge Pro is accepting the TCP connections from Z2M. So, the problem isn't a blocked connection; it's that Z2M and the Zigbee adapter on the ZBBridge Pro aren't successfully communicating after the connection is established. It's like they're talking, but not understanding each other. This is a crucial distinction because it narrows down the potential causes. Now, let's dive into the troubleshooting steps.

Troubleshooting Steps: Getting Your Zigbee Network Back Online

Alright, let's get down to brass tacks and figure out how to fix this Zigbee connection issue. We know the TCP connection is being established, but the adapter isn't responding to the “ping”. Here's a systematic approach to troubleshooting:

1. Double-Check Your Configuration (Again!)

Yes, we know you probably already checked, but humor us. Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the ones we overlook. Carefully review your configuration.yaml file for Z2M. Pay close attention to the port setting. Is it definitely tcp://192.168.10.63:8888 (or your ZBBridge Pro's IP and port)? Ensure there are no typos or extra spaces. A single misplaced character can throw everything off. Also, confirm that the adapter setting is zstack. While you're at it, verify that no other application or service on your network is trying to use port 8888. This is less likely, but it's worth ruling out. A port conflict can definitely cause connection problems.

2. Power Cycle Everything (Yes, Everything)

This might sound like IT support 101, but power cycling can often resolve temporary glitches. Power cycle in this order:

  1. Your Home Assistant VM host (the physical machine running the VM).
  2. The VM itself.
  3. The Sonoff ZBBridge Pro. Unplug it from the power outlet, wait about 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
  4. Your network router. This ensures that everything gets a fresh start and clears any potential network hiccups.

3. Tasmota Configuration on ZBBridge Pro

Let's make sure Tasmota is configured correctly on your ZBBridge Pro. Access the Tasmota web interface (usually by navigating to its IP address in your web browser). Go to the “Configuration” menu, then “Configure Serial”. Verify the following settings:

  • Serial Enabled: Should be checked (enabled).
  • Serial Log Level: Doesn't matter much, but you can set it to “None” to reduce log noise.
  • TCP Server: Should be enabled.
  • TCP Port: Should be set to 8888 (or whatever port you're using in your Z2M configuration).

If any of these settings are incorrect, correct them and save the configuration. Then, reboot the ZBBridge Pro from the Tasmota web interface.

4. Network Connectivity Checks

Even though the Tasmota logs show the ZBBridge Pro receiving connections, let's be absolutely sure there aren't any network issues. From the machine running your Home Assistant VM, try these:

  • Ping the ZBBridge Pro: Open a terminal or command prompt and type ping 192.168.10.63 (replace with your ZBBridge Pro's IP). You should get replies. If not, there's a basic network connectivity problem.
  • Telnet to port 8888: Type telnet 192.168.10.63 8888. If the connection is successful, you'll see a blank screen or some garbage characters. If you get a “Connection refused” error, something is blocking the connection to port 8888. This could be a firewall issue or another service using the port.

5. Firewall Issues?

Speaking of firewalls, check if any firewalls (on your Home Assistant host, VM, or router) might be blocking connections to port 8888 on the ZBBridge Pro. If you're using a software firewall (like iptables on Linux), make sure there's a rule allowing traffic on port 8888. If you're using a hardware firewall on your router, check its configuration as well. Temporarily disabling the firewall (for testing purposes only!) can help you determine if it's the culprit. But remember to re-enable it after testing!

6. Zigbee Channel Interference

Sometimes, Zigbee networks can suffer from interference from other wireless devices, especially Wi-Fi. Try changing the Zigbee channel in your Z2M configuration. To do this, add the following to your configuration.yaml:

zigbee:
  channel: 11 # Try a different channel (11, 15, 20, or 25)

Experiment with different channels (11, 15, 20, or 25 are common choices). You'll need to restart Z2M after changing the channel. Changing the channel might require re-pairing some of your Zigbee devices, so be prepared for that.

7. Tasmota Firmware Version

You mentioned updating Tasmota to 15.0, which is good. But sometimes, specific versions can have quirks. Try flashing Tasmota to a slightly older version (like 14.0 or 13.0) or the latest development version to see if that resolves the issue. You can download Tasmota firmware from the official Tasmota website. Flashing Tasmota is usually done through the web interface.

8. Zigbee Herdsman Debug Logging

If none of the above steps work, it's time to get more granular with debugging. Enable Zigbee Herdsman debug logging in Z2M. This will provide a more detailed log output, which can help pinpoint the exact point of failure. To enable debug logging, add the following to your configuration.yaml:

advanced:
  log_level: debug

After restarting Z2M, examine the logs carefully. Look for any error messages or warnings that might provide clues. The debug logs will be much more verbose, but they can be invaluable for diagnosing tricky issues.

9. Hardware Issues?

It's rare, but it's possible that the Zigbee module on your Sonoff ZBBridge Pro is failing. If you've tried everything else and nothing works, this might be the case. Unfortunately, diagnosing hardware issues can be tricky. If you have another Zigbee coordinator (even a basic one), you could try using it to see if your Zigbee devices can connect. This would help you rule out a problem with your Zigbee devices themselves.

Seeking Help: When to Ask for Assistance

If you've gone through all these troubleshooting steps and you're still banging your head against the wall, it's time to seek help from the community. The Zigbee2MQTT community is incredibly active and helpful. Here are some places to get assistance:

  • Zigbee2MQTT Discussions: The Zigbee2MQTT project has a GitHub Discussions forum (often linked from their website) where you can ask questions and get help from other users and developers. Provide as much detail as possible about your setup, the steps you've already taken, and any error messages you're seeing. The more information you provide, the easier it will be for someone to help you.
  • Home Assistant Forums: The Home Assistant community forums are another great resource. There are many users who use Z2M with Home Assistant, and they can often provide specific guidance. Again, be sure to provide detailed information about your setup and the issue you're facing.

When asking for help, include the following information:

  • Your Zigbee2MQTT version.
  • Your adapter firmware version (Tasmota version).
  • Your Z2M configuration (relevant parts of your configuration.yaml).
  • The error logs (paste the relevant sections).
  • The troubleshooting steps you've already taken.

Conclusion: Persistence Pays Off

Troubleshooting smart home issues can be a pain, we get it. But don't give up! By systematically working through the steps outlined in this article, you'll significantly increase your chances of getting your Sonoff ZBBridge Pro and Zigbee2MQTT back in sync. Remember to carefully check your configuration, power cycle your devices, verify network connectivity, and examine the logs for clues. And if you're still stuck, don't hesitate to reach out to the community for help. With a little persistence, you'll be back to enjoying a smoothly running smart home in no time! So, keep calm, troubleshoot on, and happy automating, guys! You've got this!