# GoControl GD00Z-4 Z-Wave Garage door opener to work with Alexa (Echo) **URL:** \ **Category:** Devices & Integrations\ **Created:** [July 31, 2016, 9:26pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021 "2016-07-31T21:26:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![srspanda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@srspanda](https://community.smartthings.com/u/srspanda)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2016, 9:26pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/1 "2016-07-31T21:26:51Z")
Ok, I’m really really new to this home automation thing. I have the SmartThings hub and Amazone Echo. I have just installed WeMo light switches that I link through ST and can control through Echo. I just installed a GoControl GD00Z-4 Z-wave Garage door opener and I have it connected to ST but can’t get Alexa to discover the device. I saw some solutions that involve computer codes but I have no idea what to do with that information. So I need it really dumbed down, “How do I make Alexa discover the Garage door?” Could someone please help me and make it simple for the lay-person or baby-step me through it? ---
**Author:** ![RightHand](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/righthand/32/63600_2.png) [@RightHand](https://community.smartthings.com/u/RightHand)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2016, 5:52am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/2 "2016-08-01T05:52:57Z")
You have to select the opener within the Alexa smart app for smartthings. Then enter discovery mode with the Echo. ---
**Author:** ![Manofice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@Manofice](https://community.smartthings.com/u/Manofice)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2016, 2:09pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/3 "2016-08-01T14:09:31Z")
Exactly what RightHand said, it works really well…I use the amazon Dot with smartthings and use Alexa to open and close my garage door. ---
**Author:** ![stephack](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/stephack/32/57942_2.png) [@stephack](https://community.smartthings.com/u/stephack)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2016, 6:28pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/4 "2016-08-01T18:28:03Z")
I don’t believe this will work if you are using the default device handler for garage door openers. This is considered a security risk and not made available as a switch by default. You need to install a custom device handler that exposes the garage door opener as a controllable switch and then it will be seen by the Alexa smartApp. See below for the handler I use (NOT FREE): > [@\[OBSOLETE\] Enhanced Z-Wave Garage Door Controller GD00Z-4/GD00Z-5/Linear/GoControl/Iris/Nortek Device Handler with Switch and Automated Garage Door Open/Close when People Arrive/Leave/Timer \[OBSOLETE\]](https://community.smartthings.com/t/release-gocontrol-linear-gd00z-4-others-device-handler-with-switch-and-automated-garage-door-open-close-on-arrival-departure/10578): > > This was inspired specifically by the GoControl/Linear Garage Door (GD00Z-4) which is a great garage door opened available on [Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/Linear-GD00Z-4-Z-Wave-Garage-Controller/dp/B00M75TEIU/) but has a compatibility issue with SmartThings Door/Locks section. ST requires a connected “switch” to operate a garage door opener. The default Z-Wave Garage Door device type code that comes with ST does not support this to one cannot use the “Close Garage Door when someone leaves” or “Open garage door when someone arrives”. We’ve two solutions for this (depending on your choice and preference). 1. [Custom Z-Wave Garage Door Opener/Controller device handler](http://smartthings.rboyapps.com) with Switch functionality. This allows any Garage Door to interact with any ST apps through a standard Switch on/off interface to open/close respectively. This allows for control through the Door/Locks s… Here is a free one that I have not used or tested but should be worth a shot: > [@\[OBSOLETE\] Enhanced Z-wave garage door opener code (for Linear GD00Z and variants)](https://community.smartthings.com/t/enhanced-z-wave-garage-door-opener-code-for-linear-gd00z-and-variants/9389): > > I’ve modified the ST default “Z-Wave Garage Door Opener” to better work with the “doors & locks” module. As far as I know, this would only be useful for the linear GD00Z device (and variants including the Iris opener.) This will allow you to select your garage door device as both the “open/close sensor” and the “garage door opener relay.” At that point, from within the “doors & locks” module, you can use “open and close it remotely” (and perhaps the other sub-modules that open/close the door.) All this does is to add the “relay switch” and “momentary” capabilities to the type, stubs on()/off(), and defines push() to either open or close the door (depending on it’s current state.) It’s not a perfect implementation, as the “doors & locks” module might show the door as being “stopped” wh… For step by steps…check out this wiki: [http://thingsthataresmart.wiki/](http://thingsthataresmart.wiki/) The FAQ sections has guides on creating custom device handlers, etc Good Luck ---
**Author:** ![nathanendress](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/nathanendress/32/26962_2.png) [@nathanendress](https://community.smartthings.com/u/nathanendress)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 1:17pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/5 "2016-08-02T13:17:00Z")
Alexa was able to see and open/close without any special app for me. Once I made it available, it did work. However, it would only work if i said “Alexa, turn ON/OFF the garage door”. There are a number of apps that have been developed by community members. I use Ask Alexa. It is somewhat free as long as you stay under the recommended number of uses, but from others in the threads no one has been charged to date as far as i’m aware and they are power users. They have excellent documentation that is easy to follow and set up if you’re willing to take the time. The latest version is here if you’d like to take a look. This is my own endorsement and i’m not a part of the developers that created this app. > [@\[Deprecated\] Ask Alexa 2.0.8](https://community.smartthings.com/t/ask-alexa-2-0-8/53857): > > Announcing version 2.0.8 of Ask Alexa Lambda code updated to 1.1.7 Utterance file has been updated with 3 minor updates. This is a minor version number change, with the smartapp, Lambda code and utterance file needing to be updated. It is always recommended that you update your slots to ensure you are capturing all of the available variables used within Ask Alexa. YOU MUST install both the smartapp and the Lambda code for this upgrade to be successful! Please note that this is a single SmartApp; it no longer has a parent/child code base. The only issue encountered so far with this unified code is on Android mobile apps. If you are editing a macro, clicking “Done” will take you back to the mobile app and NOT the main Ask Alexa menu. This is NOT Ask Alexa related, but the mobile app its… ---
**Author:** ![stephack](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/stephack/32/57942_2.png) [@stephack](https://community.smartthings.com/u/stephack)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 3:10pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/6 "2016-08-02T15:10:22Z")
I use Ask Alexa as well, but this requires a LOT for someone new to Smartthings (including a developer and Lambda account). **Ask Alexa** - requires that the end user use a “skill” command like “Alexa, **tell smartthings** to open garage” **Custom device handler** - requires user to use unnatural command like “Alexa, **turn on** garage door”. Both are unnatural in their own way. The biggest hurdle for Ask Alexa is that it is VERY complex to configure and troubleshoot for someone new to Smartthings. Opening up the device as a switch is relatively simple and allows the device to be used in automations. In the end it will be up to Shanda and what they feel comfortable with. ---
**Author:** ![nathanendress](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/nathanendress/32/26962_2.png) [@nathanendress](https://community.smartthings.com/u/nathanendress)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 4:04pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/7 "2016-08-02T16:04:28Z")
@stephack completely agree! Just offering it up. I’m no code junky by any stretch of imagination so that’s why I recommended it. And if I was able to do it then I believe most others could too. Lol! Just depends on what you want and how much time and brain power you’re willing to commit. ---
**Author:** ![joewom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@joewom](https://community.smartthings.com/u/joewom)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 7:32pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/8 "2016-08-02T19:32:57Z")
Its not a switch with the basic DH that is why you need a DH that acts as a switch also. I can say Alexa close garage door my side or wife side and it does just that since its recognized as a switch with the DH I am using. ---
**Author:** ![stephack](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/stephack/32/57942_2.png) [@stephack](https://community.smartthings.com/u/stephack)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/9 "2016-08-02T21:34:43Z")
> [@joewom](#): > > Its not a switch with the basic DH that is why you need a DH that acts as a switch also. I can say Alexa close garage door my side or wife side and it does just that since its recognized as a switch with the DH I am using. Please share the DH (if it’s a free one) so srspanda can use it. ---
**Author:** ![joewom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@joewom](https://community.smartthings.com/u/joewom)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 9:48pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/10 "2016-08-02T21:48:34Z")
It’s from Royboy. So not free. ---
**Author:** ![stephack](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/stephack/32/57942_2.png) [@stephack](https://community.smartthings.com/u/stephack)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2016, 10:31pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/11 "2016-08-02T22:31:18Z")
> [@joewom](#): > > It’s from Royboy. So not free. Ahh…same one I use. Well maybe the free one I listed works. Guess we’ll have to wait for feedback from srspanda. ---
**Author:** ![srspanda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@srspanda](https://community.smartthings.com/u/srspanda)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2016, 12:52am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/12 "2016-08-03T00:52:40Z")
How much does the one from Robroy cost? ---
**Author:** ![joewom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@joewom](https://community.smartthings.com/u/joewom)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2016, 12:59am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/13 "2016-08-03T00:59:29Z")
Updated with correct info. I use a few of his apps and handlers so I just paid the 30 as opposed to the 20 for the year. > **[RBoy Apps SmartThings](http://smartthings.rboyapps.com/)** > > Make your Home your Butler with RBoy Apps and SmartThings ---
**Author:** ![jseaton](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/jseaton/32/29359_2.png) [@jseaton](https://community.smartthings.com/u/jseaton)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 6:13pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/14 "2017-03-06T18:13:57Z")
Since I installed my garage opener on Thursday, I have not been able to use the “Alexa, open/close the garage door” command. However, she responds to “turn on/off the garage door.” Has anyone else had this issue? I’ve seen that a number of people have had success using open/close, but I wonder if Amazon changed something to discourage users from using the Echo to control their garages. I know that routines that contain open/close controls are blacklisted from the Echo. I saw one [Git project](https://github.com/jasonpilz/alexa_garage) for an Alexa skill called “garage door” that allows you to say, “Alexa, tell garage door to open/close.” The problem is the skill is built for a pretty custom-built garage controller. I’d love to see a similar skill written for Linear/GoControl/Iris/etc controllers. ---
**Author:** ![joewom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@joewom](https://community.smartthings.com/u/joewom)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 7:30pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/15 "2017-03-06T19:30:46Z")
yes its a switch to Alexa. Off and on. It doesn’t understand close open. But GH does. Strange I know. Or you can use ask Alexa as it will do what you want. ---
**Author:** ![jseaton](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/jseaton/32/29359_2.png) [@jseaton](https://community.smartthings.com/u/jseaton)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 7:41pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/16 "2017-03-06T19:41:15Z")
Ask Alexa _sort of_ does what I want. I’m a huge proponent of natural language and conversation. Having to say, “Alexa, tell SmartThings to open the garage door” isn’t very natural. I’m going to try creating a profile in EchoSistant called “The Garage.” Then if I assign the name “door” to the garage door, perhaps, “Alexa, tell the garage to open the door” will work. UPDATE: It’s not possible to add doors and locks to profiles in EchoSistant, from what I can tell. ---
**Author:** ![joewom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@joewom](https://community.smartthings.com/u/joewom)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/17 "2017-03-06T19:48:33Z")
True. I have found myself migrating to GH. I still like Alexa and it has its purposes but GH answers more questions for my kids and does more once you get the naming down of your things. ---
**Author:** ![jkelly.smith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/97f17d/32.png) [@jkelly.smith](https://community.smartthings.com/u/jkelly.smith)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2019, 6:51am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/18 "2019-09-19T06:51:43Z")
I found a simple solution. My goals; - be able to open or close my garage door using Alexa (in my case an Ecobee 4) - make sure I didn’t forget to close the garage door at night… automatically close it at a certain time (2300) if I left open. From SmartThings - Connect the GoControl GD00Z to SmartThings Hub - Create a SmartThings Scene. Call it Close The Garage Door. Set the door control to Closed. Test it. From Alexa - Connect Alexa with SmartThings (instructions at [support.smartthings.com](http://support.smartthings.com)) - Discover the SmartThings hub (instructions at [support.smartthings.com](http://support.smartthings.com)) - From the Alexa Menu, — select Routines, — click the plus sign to add a routine — Select When This Happens, Schedule, At Time, select a time, repeat, daily, next… …Add Action, Smart Home, Control Scene, select the SmartThings scene, in this case Close The Garage Door — ---
**Author:** ![Swaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Swaz](https://community.smartthings.com/u/Swaz)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2020, 6:07pm UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/19 "2020-07-02T18:07:21Z")
Works like a charm. Thanks Kelly ---
**Author:** ![deeperside](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/smartthings/user_avatar/community.smartthings.com/deeperside/32/129819_2.png) [@deeperside](https://community.smartthings.com/u/deeperside)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2021, 12:57am UTC](https://community.smartthings.com/t/gocontrol-gd00z-4-z-wave-garage-door-opener-to-work-with-alexa-echo/54021/20 "2021-11-13T00:57:14Z")
Super awesome ! Thank you !