What Does Z-Wave Diagnostics Show on the IQ Panel 5?

Z-Wave Diagnostics on the IQ Panel 5 shows a graphical map of your Z-Wave network, including the last known working route for the network or one device. A Key chart explains which devices repeat signals and which have a weaker signal. Some devices need to move. Weak devices can be moved.

What Z-Wave Diagnostics Shows

The IQ Panel 5 (available in AT&T LTE and Verizon LTE) has a Z-Wave Diagnostics test that shows a graphical representation of your installed Z-Wave network. It is a map. The panel and each Z-Wave device appear on it, and lines connect them to show how the devices talk to each other. You can view the whole network, or the last known working route for an individual device.

A Key chart on the screen explains what you are looking at. It shows which devices are repeating nodes, which have a strong or a weaker signal, and which need to be moved to another location.

How to Open Z-Wave Diagnostics

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen. This opens the Settings Tray with quick controls.

2. Touch Settings. This opens the main Settings page.

3. Touch Advanced Settings. This prompts you to enter a code before continuing.

4. Enter the Installer Code. The default Installer Code is 1111. The Dealer Code, 2222, also works.

5. Touch System Tests, then touch Z-Wave Tests. This opens the Z-Wave test options.

6. Touch Z-Wave Diagnostics. The Z-Wave Network Map opens.

IQ Panel 5 Z-Wave Network Map

How to Read the Map

Each device appears by the name you gave it, such as Bedroom Light or Kitchen Light, and the panel appears as its own node. A line between two nodes is a link they use to communicate. The lines are colored, and some show a signal strength in dBm, such as -79 dBm. Use the Key chart to see what each color means.

A repeating node is a device that passes signals along for other devices. The map shows which devices play that role, so you can see how a command travels from the panel to a device that is far away.

What You Can Learn From It

The map answers three practical questions. Which devices repeat signals for others, how strong is the link to each device, and which device needs to move. A device with a weaker signal is the one to look at when a light or lock responds slowly or not at all. Seeing the last known working route also shows the path the panel used the last time a command succeeded.

Using the Results

If the map shows a device with a weaker signal, moving it closer to the panel, or closer to another Z-Wave device that repeats signals, is the usual fix. Run the Z-Wave Diagnostics screen again after you move it to confirm the link improved. A device that sits at the end of a long chain of repeaters is worth checking first.

Related Z-Wave Tests

The Z-Wave Tests menu has more tools for the same job. Rediscover Network refreshes the network, Neighbor Info shows which devices each device can reach, and Counters show how many commands passed or failed. Advanced Z-Wave Diagnostics adds a Network Health Test, a Repeater Test, and a Last Working Route tool. Z-Wave Diagnostics is the visual one, so start there to see the whole picture.

Who Needs This Screen

Most people never need it. It matters when you have several Z-Wave lights, locks, or other devices and one of them is unreliable. The map turns a vague problem, such as a light that sometimes does not respond, into something you can see and act on.

Z-Wave Diagnostics on your IQ Panel 5 gives you a map of your Z-Wave network so you can spot weak links and devices that need to move on the IQ Panel 5. For help with Z-Wave tests or other System Tests or other configurations on your IQ Panel 5, contact the Alarm Grid support team. We are here Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time. Email us at support@alarmgrid.com, call us at 888-818-7728, or visit our website and chat with a live support agent.