Error While Starting Zigbee-Herdsman | How to Troubleshoot the Issue

Are you’re facing an issue with zigbee-herdsman, which is a popular Zigbee protocol library used in home automation projects (often with Home Assistant or similar smart home platforms).

The error you’re seeing when starting zigbee-herdsman might be related to multiple factors, such as installation issues, permission problems, or conflicts with dependencies.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you troubleshoot the issue:

1. Check for Installation Issues

First, ensure that zigbee-herdsman is installed correctly.

  • If you’re using npm to install it, run:

    npm install zigbee-herdsman
  • Ensure that all required dependencies are also installed.

2. Check Node.js Version

zigbee-herdsman requires a compatible version of Node.js to run. Some versions of Node.js may cause compatibility issues. You can check your Node.js version using:

node -v
  • Recommended Version: The library is generally compatible with Node.js 12.x.x or 14.x.x. If you’re running an older or newer version, try downgrading or upgrading to one of these versions.

To update or change the version of Node.js, you can use nvm (Node Version Manager):

nvm install 14
nvm use 14

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3. Permission Issues (Linux/Mac)

If you are on a Linux or Mac system, make sure that permission issues are not preventing the library from running.

  • Run the command with sudo if necessary:

    sudo npm install zigbee-herdsman
  • Make sure you have write permissions in the directory where you’re installing the package.

4. Rebuild the Package

Some issues can arise if the package hasn’t been compiled correctly. To force a rebuild:

npm rebuild zigbee-herdsman

5. Ensure Dependencies Are Installed

zigbee-herdsman may depend on native modules that require additional libraries, such as libusb for USB Zigbee dongles. Make sure all required system dependencies are installed:

  • On Linux:

    sudo apt-get install libusb-1.0-0-dev
  • On Mac:

    brew install libusb
  • On Windows, libusb should be included with the necessary drivers for your Zigbee USB dongle.

6. Check for Conflicting Dependencies

Conflicts between zigbee-herdsman and other packages can cause errors. Check if any of the other packages you are using are incompatible or outdated. Running:

npm ls

can show any dependency conflicts.

7. Restart and Clear Caches

  • Sometimes, a clean restart of your system or device might help.

  • Clear your npm cache to ensure that no corrupted packages are causing issues:

    npm cache clean --force

After that, reinstall the packages:

npm install

8. Check Logs for Detailed Errors

  • If the error persists, check the log file for more details on what’s causing the issue. This can be helpful in identifying the exact error (e.g., missing files, permission issues, etc.).

  • Usually, logs will be available in the console output or in a file like npm-debug.log.

9. Update or Downgrade zigbee-herdsman

Sometimes the latest version of zigbee-herdsman may introduce bugs. Try installing an earlier version to see if that resolves the issue:

npm install zigbee-herdsman@<version>

For example:

npm install zigbee-herdsman@0.13.3

10. Check for Specific Zigbee-Herdsman Errors

  • If you’re working with Zigbee USB dongles (like ConBee, CC2531, or Xbee), make sure they are connected properly and that drivers are installed.

  • Some errors could be related to the firmware version of the Zigbee dongle, so check if your device needs an update.

11. Look at the GitHub Repository for Known Issues

If the error is still persistent, look at the official GitHub repository for zigbee-herdsman. You can:

  • Search for the error message in the issues section to see if others have encountered and resolved the same problem.

  • If you don’t see your error, you can open a new issue with detailed logs so the community or the developers can help.

Here’s the GitHub Repository for Zigbee-Herdsman.


If none of the above steps work, you might want to try getting a fresh Zigbee USB adapter (if you’re using one) to rule out hardware-related issues.

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