📡 ESP32-C6 Zigbee Router

Extend Your Zigbee Network Coverage with an Affordable ESP32-C6!

This ESPHome configuration turns an ESP32-C6 board into a Zigbee router that seamlessly integrates with your Zigbee network to expand coverage and improve connectivity for your Zigbee devices.

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A Zigbee router is a mains-powered device that:

• ✅ Relays Zigbee signals between devices (mesh network)
• ✅ Extends the range of your Zigbee network
• ✅ Improves stability and reliability
• ✅ Connects battery-powered devices (End Devices) to the Coordinator

The default configuration works right away! You can optionally customize:

esp32-c6-zigbee-router.yaml:

substitutions:
  device_name: esp32-c6-zigbee-router  # Unique name
  friendly_name: ESP32-C6 Zigbee Router  # Display name

Enable WiFi (optional):

# Uncomment lines in the YAML file:
wifi:
  ssid: !secret wifi_ssid
  password: !secret wifi_password

api:
  encryption:
    key: !secret api_encryption_key

ota:
  - platform: esphome

Connect your ESP32-C6 via USB and flash the firmware using local ESPHome:

esphome run esp32-c6-zigbee-router.yaml --device=/dev/ttyACM0

💡 Note: Replace /dev/ttyACM0 with your device path (see troubleshooting below)

sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER
# Then log out and back in

# Check permissions
ls -la /dev/ttyACM0
# Output: crw-rw----. 1 root dialout 166, 0 ...

# Fix temporarily (resets on USB reconnect)
sudo chmod 666 /dev/ttyACM0

# If using Docker/Podman, restart the container
docker-compose restart

# 1. Start container
docker-compose up -d

# 2. Flash the firmware
docker-compose exec esphome esphome run /config/zigbee/esp32-c6-zigbee-router.yaml --device=/dev/ttyACM0

# Start container if not already running
docker-compose up -d

# Start the dashboard
docker-compose exec esphome esphome dashboard /config

esphome dashboard .

After flashing is complete, enable pairing mode on your Zigbee Coordinator:

Zigbee2MQTT:

1. Open the Zigbee2MQTT Web UI
2. Click "Permit join (All)" button (top right)
3. Pairing mode stays active for 4-5 minutes
4. The ESP32-C6 will automatically appear in the device list

ZHA (Home Assistant):

1. Go to Settings → Devices & Services → ZHA
2. Click "Add Device"
3. Select "Add Zigbee device"
4. The ESP32-C6 will be discovered and added

⏱️ Note: The device will search for and join the network automatically within 30-60 seconds after boot. Keep pairing mode active until the device appears!

Logging Options:

🔌 Option A: Serial Connection (USB)

• Always available - Connect via USB cable

📡 Option B: Over WiFi (OTA)

• Only works when WiFi is enabled

esphome logs esp32-c6-zigbee-router.yaml

You should see:

• No continuous error messages
• [zigbee:xxx] Device Type: Router
• Successful connection to Zigbee network

Zigbee2MQTT:

• Open the Zigbee2MQTT Web UI
• Go to "Map"
• The ESP32-C6 should be visible as a router
• Check the Link Quality to other devices

ZHA (Home Assistant):

• Go to Settings → Devices & Services → ZHA
• Click "Visualize"
• The ESP32-C6 should be displayed as a router

• Go to Settings → Devices & Services
• The ESP32-C6 should appear as a discovered device
• Add it to Home Assistant (use esp32-c6-zigbee-router.local or IP address)
• Check device status - should show "Online"

To flash multiple ESP32-C6 devices and use them as separate routers in the same Zigbee network:

For each additional device, create a new YAML file (e.g., esp32-c6-zigbee-router-2.yaml):

Each device will join the same Zigbee network and act as an independent router, extending your mesh coverage.

esphome run esp32-c6-zigbee-router-2.yaml --device=/dev/ttyACM0

.
├── esp32-c6-zigbee-router.yaml     # Main ESPHome configuration
├── esp32-c6-zigbee-router-2.yaml   # Optional: Second router
├── esp32-c6-zigbee-router-3.yaml   # Optional: Third router
├── partitions_zb.csv               # Custom Partition Table for Zigbee
├── secrets.yaml                    # Shared credentials (not in git)
├── .gitignore                      # Excludes secrets and build artifacts
├── docker-compose.yml              # Docker/Podman setup for ESPHome
└── README.md                       # This file