My ZSE41 Open | Close Sensor Is Not Reporting Reliably To My Hub

So you have your ZSE41 Open | Close sensor installed and included to the hub, but you're not seeing accurate reports? Does your sensor seem to be stuck on open or closed status, or does it seem to be missing reports? We've got you covered with the best troubleshooting steps you can take before reaching out to our support team for guidance.

Check the LED Response

We recommend starting here, as this simple check will confirm if the sensor is detecting the open/close status appropriately, and rule out any hardware issues with the sensor itself. You can test this by simply observing if the LED indicator on the sensor responds when you bring the magnet close to or away from the sensor.

If the LED is responding as expected, continue the troubleshooting steps below to check any other potential issues. If you do not get an LED response to the magnet, please try a fresh battery in the unit (see the Battery section below for recommended brands).

Inclusion Location

Where were you when you first included the device to the Z-Wave hub? When building your mesh, you want to start by including the mains powered devices (non-battery) that will be located closest to the hub first, then building outward as you include devices.

This allows the hub to utilize the necessary repeaters to reach the devices on the outside of the mesh network.
A Z-Wave repeating device is any mains-powered (non-battery) device, such as any of our Z-Wave switches, Z-Wave plugs, or dedicated Z-Wave range extenders or repeaters like the ZAC38 Range Extender.
You also want to ensure you give your Z-Wave mesh time to establish itself before automating your Z-Wave devices. It may take several hours for your Z-Wave mesh to automatically find the optimal routing.
If you add devices near the hub, then move them to their final location, you may experience routing issues down the road; therefore it is preferable to join your devices in their intended permanent location.
- When you include a Z-Wave device while near the hub, the hub devises a direct line of communication with the device. This means that when you relocate the battery powered units to the target installation location, the hub has already established the route and ignores any potential repeaters that may be needed when the device is in the installation location

Check the Distance to the Hub

If you've confirmed that the sensor is properly detecting the status change via the LED indicator and that the sensor was properly included from the target installation location, the next thing you need to check is for any range related issues.

How far is the sensor from the hub and the nearest non-battery powered Z-Wave device?
- The ZSE41 700 has a Z-Wave range of 100ft line of sight, while the 800 series has a Z-Wave range of 150ft line of sight. Please keep in mind that this Z-Wave range is line-of-sight, which means there would be no wall or obstructions and the hub would be at the same elevation as the sensor (not on a different floor of the home).
- If your sensor is not line of sight or is close to or farther than the rated distance, you'll need Z-Wave repeaters between the sensor and the hub.
  - Remember, if you add a repeating device between the sensor and the hub, it is recommended to exclude the ZSE41 sensor and re-include it from the target location, so the hub can then utilize the new repeater int the communication route.
  - If your hub provides the option, you can also heal the network (also called network repair, rebuild routes, or Z-Wave repair, depending on your hub interface). Some hubs, like the Z-Box, optimize routing frequently, updating the mesh routes to the best available.

Check for Interference

While the ZSE41 has a range of 100-150ft line of sight (depending on your Z-Wave chip model), interferences like thick walls, large furniture, and metal elements can shorten this range. Another common household interference to consider that is frequently overlooked is from radio interference from devices like cordless house phones, older baby monitors, and weather stations.

Ultimately range is determined by the specific structure of your home and the strength of your mesh network. When checking for interference, use the same steps above to add Z-Wave repeaters to alleviate the effect of the interference. You can also try adjusting the angle or location of the sensor as well to optimize the signal.

Battery

If you've checked the LED response and ruled out any range or interference issues, check your battery.

3.2V - 3V is a full battery (100%) and the Z-Wave chip manufacturer requires all Z-Wave devices to report low battery at 2.6V.
- The ZSE41 sensor is powered by a single CR2032 battery, and we recommend using Energizer, Panasonic, or Maxell brand batteries which are confirmed to work well in the sensors.
- Our technicians have confirmed that at this point, Duracells are not providing power to the XS sensors due to the extra bitter coating on these batteries. You can try wiping the battery with alcohol to remove the bitter coating, allowing it to dry fully, then inserting the battery.
- Rechargeable batteries are not recommended, as these usually decrease in max voltage with time, so you may see a shorter battery life or a "fully charged" battery not working in the sensor.

Temperature

While the sensor can be installed outdoors with the waterproof case, remember that the operating temperature of the sensor is from 32° to 104° F. You'll want to ensure the temperatures do not drop below 32°F. While CR2032 batteries can technically operate down to -22°F, cold temperatures reduce ion mobility, increasing the batteries' internal resistance and dropping the output Voltage. No energy storage is lost, it's just that the energy doesn't get to the device, it dissipates internally. So in cold weather it may stop responding but once it warms up, it should still operate and respond. The sensor needs a substantial amount of Voltage (2.6) from the battery to sustain the Z-Wave chip and report to the hub. When that energy is dissipated due to the cold, you get a loss of function until the battery is warmed. You may experience reporting issues if the sensor operates in extreme temperatures close to the edge of the rated low of 32° F and the rated high of 104° F for prolonged periods of time. Keep in mind that climate conditions affect all electronic devices and especially battery-powered products so it's best to avoid exposing your electronics to direct sunlight and keep them in a shaded spot protected from extreme heat or cold.

If you've tried all of the troubleshooting steps above but you are still having reporting issues, please reach out to our team for assistance and include the details from the troubleshooting steps you've attempted above for the most expedient resolution.