Updated: 2026-10-04 · Applies to: home-assistant 2026.9

ZHA (Zigbee Home Automation)

What it is: The native Zigbee integration in Home Assistant. It's a hardware-independent Zigbee gateway that replaces most proprietary vendor hubs and bridges. It creates one Zigbee network to which you add most Zigbee devices. HA docs The alternative is Zigbee2MQTT.

Key features

Coordinator: a USB adapter (e.g. Connect ZBT-2) or a network coordinator via a TCP socket, typically tcp://<ip>:6638. HA docs SLZB-OS manual
Installation: when adding an adapter in HA, the Recommended option means installing with ZHA. ZHA is active in HA by default. ZBT-2 docs
Groups and binding: ZHA supports Zigbee groups and direct device binding (switch → bulb). HA docs
OTA updates of device firmware are on by default and show up as regular Update entities. This only works for manufacturers that publish firmware. HA docs
Backups: ZHA backs up the Zigbee network automatically. A manual backup is in Network Settings. After restoring an HA backup, ZHA can be reconfigured or migrated to a new coordinator without losing devices. HA docs The backup includes the network key and is part of HA backups. ZBT-2 draft
Migration between adapters (Silicon Labs EZSP, Texas Instruments ZNP, deCONZ) works if the backup comes from ZHA. From Z2M or deCONZ you first migrate into ZHA via the old adapter. HA docs ZBT-2 docs Procedures: Zigbee coordinator migration.
Non-standard devices: devices that don't follow the ZCL are handled by ZHA Device Handlers ("quirks"). If a device lacks entities, try re-pairing it, then look for or request a quirk. HA docs

Channel

The documentation's advice: don't change the channel. If you do, the Smart option scans once and picks the best channel, preferring 15, 20 and 25. HA docs
Interference and channel choice versus Wi-Fi: see Zigbee.

Gotchas

One coordinator, one network. ZHA can't handle two adapters at once, and no other application may use the coordinator. A second adapter only works with another solution (deCONZ, Z2M). HA docs ZBT-2 docs
A device can only be on one Zigbee network. Devices previously paired elsewhere (Z2M, a vendor hub) must be factory-reset. HA docs
ZHA does not support Zigbee Green Power (ZGP). ZBT-2 docs
When using Z2M, delete and ignore the discovered ZHA integration, otherwise they will fight over the adapter. ZBT-2 docs
Removing the ZHA integration does not reset the adapter; the network key stays on it. ZBT-2 draft
Pairing: mains-powered devices (routers) first, then battery ones. A weak network can prevent pairing. The main interference sources are USB 3.x ports, devices and unshielded cables. HA docs

Integrations

Home Assistant, Connect ZBT-2, SLZB network coordinators

Zigbee, Zigbee2MQTT, Home Assistant, Zigbee coordinator migration

Sources