It all started about 7 years ago with a noble resolution: “I will keep my Smart Home simple and essential.” Spoiler alert: it didn’t go that way.
Between unmissable offers and the curiosity to try new technologies, I found myself in a jungle of protocols (WiFi, Zigbee, Bluetooth, LoRa…) and, above all, a battery nightmare! CR2032 coin cells, AAAs, weird formats… total chaos, especially when an e-ink display that I update often decided to drain itself at the speed of light.
The Turning Point (and the New Problem)#
Browsing the web during those “sleepless nights” as a parent, I discovered the new IKEA sensors: compatible with Matter and powered by standard AA or AAA batteries (rechargeable!). The dream!
I grabbed a few immediately, ready to set them up in the blink of an eye. The plan was simple: connect them to my Home Assistant. The problem? These sensors use Matter over Thread, and I didn’t have a dedicated Thread Border Router (TBR). Or rather, I thought I had solved it by connecting a USB dongle to the server, but I ran into a series of cryptic errors.
The Culprit: My Network (and IPv6)#
Long story short: I’m a bit of a security “nerd” and I have a specific network configuration (my router cascaded behind the ISP’s). This allows me to manage the firewall how I like it, but it made managing IPv6 a real puzzle, given that my provider doesn’t make life easy with Prefix Delegation.
I ignored IPv6 for a long time, but Matter over Thread is unforgiving.
Digging through the Home Assistant documentation and asking AI for a little help, I finally figured out the mystery. For “provisioning” (adding the device) to work, two fundamental conditions are needed that were missing from my network:
- Real IPv6: The system must have a valid IPv6 address capable of talking to the internet (local ones aren’t enough!).
- Same Network: The Thread Border Router (the USB dongle on Home Assistant) and the smartphone you are using to add the sensor must be on the same network and see each other via IPv6.
The Solution#
After correctly configuring IPv6 on my network (a struggle, but necessary!) and creating a temporary WiFi network that was exactly in the same subnet as Home Assistant, the magic happened. The sensors appeared immediately!
TL;DR: Want Matter-over-Thread in Your Home Without Going Crazy?#
If you are encountering strange errors while adding Matter devices, here is the lifesaver checklist:
- Check IPv6: It must be active, working, and not limited to the local network. You can test your connection here: Google IPv6 Test or IPv6-test.com.
- Watch the WiFi: Connect your smartphone exactly to the same network (or VLAN) where your Thread Border Router or Home Assistant is connected.
- Have fun! Now you can enjoy your new sensors.
Happy home automation everyone!
