Fibaro RGBW Controller and SmartThings - cannot get it to work

Devices & Integrations
,
1

Hello,

I’ve got a Samsung Smartthings WiFi hub and I’m trying to add an RGBW LED strip via the Fibaro RGBW Controller model FGRGBWM-441.

I’ve tried using the default FIbaro RGBW Controller device type in SmartThings. Then, after reading some forum articles, I added the Device Handler created by richb1 on github (https://github.com/richb1/FIBARO-Official-SmartThings-Device-Handlers/blob/master/FIBARO- RGBW Controller).

In both cases, the LED strip lights up and flashes a few times (both the white channel as well as a greenish hue on the RGB LEDs. Then it shuts off and I get an error message: “A network or server error has a occurred. Try again later” on my SmartThings app (on a Samsung Galaxy Note 9 smartphone). The two devices are next to me less than one meter apart. I’ve excluded and then re-added the Fibaro controller a number of times, but for the life of me I cannot get this to work.

I’ve tried two different ways of physically connecting the Fibaro controller to the LED strip - one as pictured on the instructions (with the four “In” pins being tied to Ground) and I’ve also tried it without the “In” pins being connected. Same result in both cases.

I got a cheaper German-designed RGBW ZigBee controller to work out of the box the first time with this same LED RGBW strip - one would think getting a Fibaro to work with SmartThings would be simpler than this.

I’m open to any suggestions the community might have!

Thanks,

Forrest

2

You’re using the Classic ST app right?
This is the handler I would use, and there’s some great info on there too (and pictures!), I would first get the module connected and working before you add the strip.

3

Thanks @Alwas for the quick reply.

I’m using the new ST app.

I figured out the primary issue - my power supply appears not to have delivered enough power for the Fibaro (I didn’t even think to check this as it works fine for the 3A Nue ZigBee controller). Anyway, changed to a different power supply it it appears to be working fine - EXCEPT the fact that I cannot find a way to get the white LEDs to light now at all. I can generate “white” using the RGB LEDs, but that kind of defeats the purpose. I’m also still getting the same error message when I use the app.

Is the “Classic ST” app still available for both Android and iOS? I need it to work with both.

5


Case Notification for #195917
[SmartThings Community] [Devices & Integrations] Fibaro RGBW Controller and SmartThings - cannot get it to work
Status: Resolved

Agent: Tomasz Kanigowski
Tomasz Kanigowski
03 Jan 20
Hello,

I am very sorry for such a late answer.

I can see in the topic you have created on smartthings community that RGBW work but there is a problem with white color.

Please try to use old app and follow the procedures:

https://manuals.fibaro.com/knowledge-base-browse/smartthings-handlers/
https://manuals.fibaro.com/knowledge-base-browse/st/

Stopka mailowa
Pozdrawiam/Kind regards,
Tomasz Kanigowski
Tech Support
support@fibaro.com
+48 618 801 000
+44 845 154 2852
+33 970 733 545

Fibar Group S.A.
HQ: ul. Lotnicza 1, 60-421 Poznan / OFFICE: ul. Serdeczna 3, 62-081 Wysogotowo
TAX no.: PL7811858097 / BDO no.: 000008175
REGON/Polish National Business Reg, no.: 301595664 / Share capital: 1 182 100 PLN
KRS (reg. no): 0000553265, Regional Court of Poznan Nowe Miasto and Wilda in Poznan,

VIII Commercial Division of the National Court Register

SmartThings Community
24 Dec 19

Hello,

I’ve got a Samsung Smartthings WiFi hub and I’m trying to add an RGBW LED strip via the Fibaro RGBW Controller model FGRGBWM-441.

I’ve tried using the default FIbaro RGBW Controller device type in SmartThings. Then, after reading some forum articles, I added the Device Handler created by richb1 on github (https://github.com/richb1/FIBARO-Official-SmartThings-Device-Handlers/blob/master/FIBARO- RGBW Controller).

In both cases, the LED strip lights up and flashes a few times (both the white channel as well as a greenish hue on the RGB LEDs. Then it shuts off and I get an error message: “A network or server error has a occurred. Try again later” on my SmartThings app (on a Samsung Galaxy Note 9 smartphone). The two devices are next to me less than one meter apart. I’ve excluded and then re-added the Fibaro controller a number of times, but for the life of me I cannot get this to work.

I’ve tried two different ways of physically connecting the Fibaro controller to the LED strip - one as pictured on the instructions (with the four “In” pins being tied to Ground) and I’ve also tried it without the “In” pins being connected. Same result in both cases.

I got a cheaper German-designed RGBW ZigBee controller to work out of the box the first time with this same LED RGBW strip - one would think getting a Fibaro to work with SmartThings would be simpler than this.

I’m open to any suggestions the community might have!

Thanks,

Forrest

6

Hi Forrest,

Do you have some tips on whether we can use the Fibaro RGBW Controller with the new ST app?

Thanks,
Tamas

7

It was “resolved” by my returning the Fibaro and buying another vendor’s product that worked flawlessly, out of the box.

8

@FIBARO_official I installed the device handler you linked for the Fibaro RGBW controller, and installed the old SmartThings app. I cannot control the device from that either, it errors out saying “Something’s Wrong”

2020-04-15
2020-04-151080×2310 179 KB

If I cannot get it to work in three days I am afraid I will have to return the device too.

9

After two hours of pairing I finally got it to pair… But only got as far as you, I’m also seeing the same message, “Something’s wrong”. And I used the device handler suggested by @FIBARO_official. I’m now instead trying the code from the “Advanced DTH” one. At least it’s showing me all the controls instead of just “Something’s wrong”, but I can’t seem to turn my lights on. Gonna keep troubleshooting.

10

Hi SmartThings Community,

Device handlers are not provided by Fibaro. It was created by a software developer that we’ve cooperated with in the past. For now we are just providing working device handlers on our site and unfortunately we cannot provide you new handlers. If you have knowledge in programming you can create such integration by yourself or if you don’t - you can find what you are looking for here: community.smartthings.com/. SmartThings users are very helpful and they are sharing their work on the forums like this one.

Pozdrawiam/Kind regards,

Dmytro Okhremenko
Tech Support

support@fibaro.com
+48 618 801 000
+44 845 154 2852
+33 970 733 545

Fibar Group S.A.
HQ: ul. Lotnicza 1, 60-421 Poznan / OFFICE: ul. Serdeczna 3, 62-081 Wysogotowo
TAX no.: PL7811858097 / BDO no.: 000008175
REGON/Polish National Business Reg, no.: 301595664 / Share capital: 1 182 100 PLN
**KRS (reg. no): **0000553265, Regional Court of Poznan Nowe Miasto and Wilda in Poznan,
VIII Commercial Division of the National Court Register

11

@forrest_holleman I would like to go the same route as you, I can’t get this to work with classic or new app. What other vendor’s product did you buy that worked out of the box?

12

@strazz This is what I use - works FLAWLESSLY in 10+ applications now. I’ve got five at my house and 5+ I’ve installed for clients:

And they’re only $22 vs the $49 Fibaro (which I can’t find on Amazon anymore, so they may have shelved it). I would have preferred Z-Wave over Zigbee, but I’m not complaining - they work just fine.

2 Likes
13

Thanks! :slight_smile:

14

I have a Fibaro RGBW controller. In the classic app, the built in “Fibaro RGBW Controller” device handler (not a custom one) works well for me.

image

BUT a number of months ago, I started seeing “Fibaro RGBW Controller” listed twice in the list of stock handlers.
image

The first one in the list contains presets and dynamic scenes that are built into the firmware (the second one doesn’t). This handler is exactly what I want, but for some reason now that it is duplicated, it automatically switches to the 2nd device handler in the list every time I change it to the first. I’ve got a support case open with SmartThings, but it has been 2 weeks and they haven’t been very helpful and just keep asking me to try random things that don’t seem very logical to me.

It doesn’t seem right to me at all that it would list separate handlers with the exact same name. Just curious: is anyone else seeing this same behavior with the duplicate listings and having the system automatically changing devices from the more robust 1st handler in the list to the second one? They are acting like it’s something on my setup, but it seems to me like this would be more of a global, back-end issue?

15

Hello,

It would seem that lots of people have issues with the RGBW controller and Smartthings. There does not seem to be a proper instruction or fix.

I have RGBW LED strips working through Smartthings and also Alexa, but the do not do any of the preprogrammed scenes, also in Alexa, it does not use the White LED at all, but makes white from the RGB less. As these are all connected then all functions should work from each APP. Is this possible?

16

Hi,

Somewhat late (!) but which Device handler do you use with these?

Basically, does it allow for controlling all 4 channels like the old Fibaro used to…:slight_smile:

Thanks :blush:

17

this device, if the power goes out, when it comes back can it stay off? All the zigbees tried when the power comes back on again and for me it’s a big problem.

18

Morning all, My RGBW controller works of sorts with my SmartThings and Alexa but i really want to add into the device controller all the advanced settings options as they dont seem to be accessible within the new App. I could do it on the classic version and being able to access those means you can adjust so much more. Any help with doing this would be much appreciated.

19

Unfortunately Fibaro will not provide a viable device type and because the IDE is now going I guess why should they

As you found the ST default device type does not give access to its special routines and colours, unfortunately that is where it ends

ST have killed many things by changing so much, the RGBW from fibaro is among the list of now unusable products

Turns out, fridge lists and cooking recommendations are preferred