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Updating Z-Wave Insert Firmware Using a Z-Wave USB Stick

Swidget Support
  • Updated

If your Z-Wave hub does not support over-the-air firmware updates, you can update your Swidget Z-Wave Insert firmware using a Z-Wave USB stick and Silicon Labs Simplicity Studio on a computer.

What You Will Need

Important Warnings

  • Back up your Z-Wave network before starting. While the risk is low, a firmware update failure could affect your Z-Wave device.
  • Use the correct firmware file. Always download the firmware from the official Swidget support page linked above. Using the wrong firmware file can permanently damage your device.
  • Do not unplug the USB stick or turn off your computer during the update.

Step 1: Prepare Your Z-Wave Insert

Before updating, you need to remove your Swidget Z-Wave Insert from your current Z-Wave hub network:

  1. In your Z-Wave hub (SmartThings, Hubitat, Home Assistant, etc.), put the hub into exclusion mode.
  2. On the Swidget device, press and hold the Insert push button for 5-10 seconds until the LED turns blue, then release. The LED will flash blue to indicate removal mode.
  3. Confirm the device has been removed from your hub.
  4. Factory reset the Insert by pressing and holding the push button for 15-20 seconds until the LED turns solid red, then release.

Step 2: Set Up Simplicity Studio

  1. Create a free Silicon Labs account at https://community.silabs.com/SL_CommunitiesSelfReg
  2. Verify your account through the confirmation email.
  3. Download Simplicity Studio from https://www.silabs.com/developers/simplicity-studio — installers are available for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
  4. Install Simplicity Studio. The installation will take several minutes and may show permission prompts along the way.
  5. When installation completes, log in with your Silicon Labs account by clicking Login in the top-right corner.
  6. Simplicity Studio will download and update several assets. Accept the license agreements and click Done.

Step 3: Install the Z-Wave PC Controller Tool

  1. In Simplicity Studio, click the Install tab to open the Installation Manager.
  2. Click Install by Technology Type.
  3. Click Update All if any updates are available, then restart Simplicity Studio when prompted.
  4. After restarting, click Install by Technology Type again.
  5. Select either 32-bit MCU or Silicon Labs Matter, then click Next.
  6. Leave the setting on Auto, click Next, accept the agreements, and click Next again.
  7. Wait for the additional packages to install (this will take several minutes), then restart Simplicity Studio.
  8. After restarting, click Install, then Manage Installed Packages.
  9. Click Tools and search for Z-Wave PC Controller. Verify it is installed.

Step 4: Add the Z-Wave Insert to the USB Stick Network

  1. Plug the Z-Wave USB stick into your computer.
  2. In Simplicity Studio, click the Tools tab.
  3. Select Z-Wave PC Controller and click OK.
  4. In the Z-Wave PC Controller window, click the gear icon in the top-right corner.
  5. Your USB stick should appear in the list. If it does not, click Refresh.
  6. Select your USB stick and click OK.
  7. Put the Z-Wave PC Controller into inclusion mode to add your Swidget Z-Wave Insert to the USB stick's temporary network.
  8. On the Swidget device, press the Insert push button briefly to put it into pairing mode (LED flashes green).
  9. The Insert should appear in the Z-Wave PC Controller device list once paired.

Step 5: Update the Firmware

  1. In the Z-Wave PC Controller, click OTW Firmware Update.
  2. A file browser window will open. Navigate to and select the Swidget Z-Wave firmware file you downloaded earlier.
  3. Double-check that the firmware file is the correct one for your Swidget Z-Wave Insert.
  4. Click Open. The firmware update will begin immediately.
  5. The update progress can be tracked in the lower portion of the Z-Wave PC Controller window.
  6. Do not unplug the USB stick, turn off the computer, or remove power from the Swidget device during this process.
  7. When the update completes, you will see a success message and the device will restart.

Step 6: Verify and Re-pair

  1. In the Z-Wave PC Controller, click Network Management to verify the updated firmware version.
  2. Remove the Z-Wave Insert from the USB stick's network by putting the Z-Wave PC Controller into exclusion mode and triggering removal on the Insert.
  3. Factory reset the Insert again (hold push button 15-20 seconds until solid red LED).
  4. Unplug the USB stick from the computer.
  5. Re-pair the Z-Wave Insert to your original Z-Wave hub (SmartThings, Hubitat, Home Assistant, etc.) following the normal pairing process.

Troubleshooting

  • USB stick not detected: Try a different USB port. Avoid USB hubs — plug directly into the computer.
  • Insert not pairing to USB stick: Make sure the Insert has been factory reset and is in pairing mode (flashing green LED).
  • Firmware update fails: Verify you are using the correct firmware file from the Swidget Z-Wave Firmware Download page. Try the update again.
  • Insert not responding after update: Factory reset the Insert and try re-pairing to your hub.

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