Expose Unavailable Status to Home Assistant

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 147 views

Expose Unavailable Status to Home Assistant

Home Assistant (HA) is a popular open-source home automation platform that allows users to control and monitor various devices in their home. However, when it comes to devices that are unavailable or offline, HA can sometimes make it difficult to distinguish between devices that are simply not responding and those that are actually turned off. In this article, we will explore a common issue where H601C overhead lights connected to a dumb light switch appear as "stuck" in HA, even when the switch is turned off in the app. We will also discuss possible solutions to expose the unavailable status of these devices in HA.

When a device is connected to a dumb light switch, it can sometimes appear as "stuck" in HA, even when the switch is turned off in the app. This is because the device is still online and connected to the network, but it is not receiving any updates from the switch. As a result, the device appears as "on" or "stuck" in HA, even though it is actually turned off.

Example Log Entry

The following log entry illustrates this issue:

[2025-03-09T13:03:15 INFO  govee::service::state] requesting update via Platform API Smart LED Downlight 7 (D9:82:60:74:F4:83:C0:56 H601C) Some(DeviceState { on: false, light_on: Some(false), online: Some(false), kelvin: 0, color: DeviceColor { r: 255, g: 0, b: 0 }, brightness: 100, scene: None, source: "PLATFORM API", updated: 2025-03-09T16:48:08.342578956Z })

In this log entry, the device is still online and connected to the network, but it is not receiving any updates from the switch. As a result, the device appears as "stuck" in HA.

There are several possible solutions to expose the unavailable status of devices in HA:

1. Map Unavailable to Off

One possible solution is to map the unavailable status of devices to the "off" state in HA. This would allow users to easily distinguish between devices that are simply not responding and those that are actually turned off.

2. Hide Unavailable Devices

Another possible solution is to hide devices that are unavailable from the HA dashboard. This would prevent users from seeing devices that are not responding, and would make it easier to focus on devices that are actually turned on.

3. Use a Custom Lovelace Card

A third possible solution is to use a custom Lovelace card to display the unavailable status of devices. This would allow users to create a custom dashboard that shows the unavailable status of devices, and would provide a more detailed view of device status.

Implementing the solutions outlined above requires some technical expertise and knowledge of HA configuration. Here are some general steps to follow:

1. Configure the Device

To map the unavailable status of devices to the "off" state, you will need to configure the device in HA to use the "unavailable" state as the default state. This can be done by editing the device configuration in the HA configuration file.

2. Create a Custom Lovelace Card

To create a custom Lovelace card to display the unavailable status of devices, you will need to create a new Lovelace card using the HA Lovelace editor. This will require some knowledge of HTML and CSS, as well as experience with HA configuration.

3. Hide Unavailable Devices

To hide devices that are unavailable from the HA dashboard, you will need to create a custom Lovelace card that filters out devices that are unavailable. This can be done using the HA Lovelace editor, and will require some knowledge of HTML and CSS.

In conclusion, exposing the unavailable status of devices in HA can be a complex issue, but there are several possible solutions to this problem. By mapping the unavailable status of devices to the "off" state, hiding unavailable devices from the HA dashboard, or using a custom Lovelace card to display device status, users can easily distinguish between devices that are simply not responding and those that are actually turned off. With some technical expertise and knowledge of HA configuration, users can implement these solutions and enjoy a more streamlined and efficient home automation experience.

For more information on HA configuration and customization, please refer to the following resources:

Q: What is the unavailable status in Home Assistant?

A: The unavailable status in Home Assistant refers to a device that is not responding or is offline. This can be due to various reasons such as a device being turned off, a network issue, or a device being disconnected from the Home Assistant network.

Q: Why do my devices appear as "stuck" in Home Assistant?

A: Devices may appear as "stuck" in Home Assistant when they are still online and connected to the network, but are not receiving any updates from the device or the switch. This can be due to a variety of reasons such as a device being turned off, a network issue, or a device being disconnected from the Home Assistant network.

Q: How can I expose the unavailable status of my devices in Home Assistant?

A: There are several ways to expose the unavailable status of your devices in Home Assistant. You can map the unavailable status of devices to the "off" state, hide unavailable devices from the Home Assistant dashboard, or use a custom Lovelace card to display device status.

Q: How do I map the unavailable status of my devices to the "off" state?

A: To map the unavailable status of your devices to the "off" state, you will need to configure the device in Home Assistant to use the "unavailable" state as the default state. This can be done by editing the device configuration in the Home Assistant configuration file.

Q: How do I hide unavailable devices from the Home Assistant dashboard?

A: To hide unavailable devices from the Home Assistant dashboard, you will need to create a custom Lovelace card that filters out devices that are unavailable. This can be done using the Home Assistant Lovelace editor, and will require some knowledge of HTML and CSS.

Q: How do I create a custom Lovelace card to display device status?

A: To create a custom Lovelace card to display device status, you will need to create a new Lovelace card using the Home Assistant Lovelace editor. This will require some knowledge of HTML and CSS, as well as experience with Home Assistant configuration.

Q: What are the benefits of exposing the unavailable status of my devices in Home Assistant?

A: Exposing the unavailable status of your devices in Home Assistant can provide several benefits, including:

Improved device visibility: By exposing the unavailable status of your devices, you can easily see which devices are not responding or are offline.
Simplified troubleshooting: By exposing the unavailable status of your devices, you can quickly identify and troubleshoot issues with your devices.
Enhanced home automation experience: By exposing the unavailable status of your devices, you can create a more streamlined and efficient home automation experience.

Q: What are the potential drawbacks of exposing the unavailable status of my devices in Home Assistant?

A: Exposing the unavailable status of your devices in Home Assistant can also have some potential drawbacks, including:

Increased complexity: Exposing the unavailable status of your devices can add complexity to your Home Assistant setup.
Additional configuration: Exposing the unavailable status of your devices may require additional configuration and setup.
Potential security risks: Exposing the unavailable status of your devices may also introduce potential security risks, such as exposing sensitive information about your devices.

In conclusion, exposing the unavailable status of devices in Home Assistant can be a complex issue, but there are several possible solutions to this problem. By mapping the unavailable status of devices to the "off" state, hiding unavailable devices from the Home Assistant dashboard, or using a custom Lovelace card to display device status, users can easily distinguish between devices that are simply not responding and those that are actually turned off. With some technical expertise and knowledge of Home Assistant configuration, users can implement these solutions and enjoy a more streamlined and efficient home automation experience.

For more information on Home Assistant configuration and customization, please refer to the following resources:

The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice or guidance. Users should consult the Home Assistant documentation and community resources for more information on Home Assistant configuration and customization.