Homekit Accessories not responding

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Level 1

13 points

Homekit Accessories not responding

I just bagged my reliable Z-Wave based Vera system for the promise of voice-controlled automation in an ultra easy to use HomeKit system.

So I bought a $350 HomePod and two snazzy Lennox S30 HomeKit compatible thermostats.

Yes, it was easy to install. And yes, I could control the temperature in my home by barking commands at Siri. For about ten minutes, at which point the message “No accessories are responding” would appear. Both on my iPad and iPhone.

I found several threads on this Board concerning this issue, advocating solutions ranging from eschewing WPA authentication to avoiding Arris routers. But, alas, no solution lasts. Inevitably, after 10-20 minutes the accessories are not responding again.

Very discouraging.

Perhaps there is a solution in the head of a knowledgable Apple support engineer. I’ll try finding him/her Monday when I call their support line.

Or, perhaps, Apple’s lack of adequate regression testing has become manifest yet again, and a recent release of iOS 12 (I’m running 12.1.4) has broken previously working functionality. Except that this problem has been reported under earlier iOS releases.

But they could have broken it, fixed it, and then...broken it again. Wouldn’t be the first time.

iPad Pro, iOS 12

Posted on Mar 2, 2019 7:12 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Vancouver22

Level 8

36,776 points

Mar 3, 2019 7:33 PM in response to Yammersmith

The only other solution might be to delete your accessories from Home and start over

It might also help to seek help from Lennox before setting up again

http://www.support.lennoxicomfort.com/help/lennox-apple-homekit/lennox-apple-homekit.html

Other options are to troubleshoot your wifi network. Being aware that just because it works on everything else, it might not on another and this is an issue with your network.

if you have a Lennox App, you might want to go into that in settings and see if any alerts are there telling you that there’s a HomeKit mismatch. Or if the accessory is requiring a software update.. it will also indicate if it’s connected to your network . There should be a HomeKit and Siri setting in the app. Also make sure the app is up to date via the App Store.

iComfort Thermostat by Lennox Industries

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/icomfort-thermostat/id1027192836?mt=8

The purchase of a new smart accsessory often requires a software update right away. Only the Lennox App can tell you this and perform the update ( if needed)

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Answer 2

Vancouver22

Level 8

36,776 points

Mar 4, 2019 1:25 AM in response to Yammersmith

You’re welcome. I hope you can get it figured out. I think you will

The .dual Channels issue on the wifi seems to have fixed it for me anyways.

You should also be able to use homekit with Siri on your iPhone or iPad as well. All your IOS Devices are Hubs.

In the Home App if you tap the home icon in the top left corner, it will show you one is connected and the others are on standby. You can use any of them, that are set up.

Set up your HomePod, Apple TV, or iPad as a home hub

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT207057

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Answer 3

Vancouver22

Level 8

36,776 points

Mar 3, 2019 8:11 PM in response to Yammersmith

In settings on your IOS device make sure you see the accessory listed

Settings- Privacy- Homekit - Lennox

Be sure you're logged into iCloud and you might try signing out and back in again.

In setting in iCloud (your Apple ID) make sure Home is turned on and also iCloud Keychain

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Answer 4

Yammersmith Author

Level 1

13 points

Mar 3, 2019 10:25 PM in response to Yammersmith

Thank you again for your suggestions.

i have deleted and re-added the two thermostats multiple times. But the problem persists.

i haven’t done anything with the Lennox iComfort app because I was under the impression that the app is an alternative eay to control the thermostats and has nothing to do with HomeKit. There is a HomeKit choice under settings on the thermostat itself and I would think that would tell you if you need a software update. But I’ll check the iComfort app just in case. Thanks as well for the suggestion to contact Lennox. Often, these kinds of consultations with a vendor where there is an integration problem with another vendor’s product turn into a finger-pointing exercise, but maybe I’ll get lucky.

Do you have anything specific in mind about checking the network? Someone else had recommended turning WPS off on the router and I did that, but it made no difference.

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Answer 5

Vancouver22

Level 8

36,776 points

Mar 3, 2019 10:50 PM in response to Yammersmith

re the network troubleshooting.

As for it being a network issue, it’s possible your wifi has Dual Bands and you need to disable one and make the other be the default. Otherwise it intermittently disconnects as it tries to connect to the other. Some devices are not affected at all but then one constantly has issues.

I can not advise exactly how you do that with your specific router. Mine was done by a cable guy and he said he was logging into my modem online.

Also try unplugging the wifi router for a minute to reboot and it might resolve the flawed connection you could be experiencing.

Here you will find some wifi troubleshooting tips:

https://www.howtogeek.com/180235/how-to-troubleshoot-wireless-router-problems/

good luck!

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