Samsung SmartThings Hub and Matter Setup and Troubleshooting
SmartThings can control many Wi-Fi devices straight from the app, but Zigbee, Thread and most Matter devices need a SmartThings hub to act as the controller. That hub might be a SmartThings Hub, a SmartThings Station, an Aeotec Smart Home Hub, or a Samsung TV or fridge with a hub built in. This guide follows Samsung’s and SmartThings’ own support articles for setting up the hub, adding Matter devices and fixing the usual connection problems.
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Quick answers
- Adding a Matter device? In the SmartThings app tap Add (+), Add Device, then Scan and scan the Matter QR code. Pick the hub and room when asked (SmartThings: SmartThings x Matter integration).
- Device won’t onboard? Make sure a hub is in your home, the device is in pairing mode and near both your phone and the hub, then reset the device and restart the app (SmartThings: SmartThings x Matter integration).
- “Network not compatible”? The device doesn’t support that Wi-Fi band (2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz) or security type (SmartThings: SmartThings x Matter integration).
- Wi-Fi device not discovered? Your phone and the device must be on the same local network, and some brands must be set up in their own app first (Samsung: SmartThings does not connect or discover LAN Wi-Fi devices).
- Thread devices need a border router. The SmartThings Station, the latest SmartThings Hub and Aeotec’s Smart Home Hub 2 have one built in (SmartThings blog: Everything you need to know about Matter, SmartThings blog: Aeotec Smart Home Hub 2).
Which hub do you have?
| Hub | Matter | Thread border router | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SmartThings Hub 2018 (IM6001-V3P01) | Yes, firmware 45.9 or later | Yes (the latest SmartThings Hub) | SmartThings: SmartThings x Matter integration, SmartThings blog: Everything you need to know about Matter |
| Aeotec Smart Home Hub (original) | Yes, firmware 45.9 or later | Not stated; SmartThings only names the 2015 hub as lacking one | SmartThings: SmartThings x Matter integration |
| SmartThings Hub 2015 (STH-ETH and others) | Wi-Fi and LAN Matter devices only | No; needs a third-party border router | SmartThings: SmartThings x Matter integration |
| SmartThings Station | Yes | Yes | SmartThings blog: Everything you need to know about Matter |
| Aeotec Smart Home Hub 2 | Yes | Yes; also Zigbee 3.0, no Z-Wave | SmartThings blog: Aeotec Smart Home Hub 2, Aeotec: Smart Home Hub 2 |
Samsung TVs and Family Hub refrigerators can also have a Thread border router built in, according to SmartThings (SmartThings blog: Everything you need to know about Matter). Samsung doesn’t recommend adding a second SmartThings hub to a location that already has one (Samsung: Set up your SmartThings Hub, SmartThings Wifi or Connect Home).
Set up the hub
SmartThings Hub (Samsung: Set up your SmartThings Hub, SmartThings Wifi or Connect Home):
- In the SmartThings app, open Devices, tap Add (+), then Add device.
- Tap By brand, then Samsung, then Smart Home Hub.
- Pick SmartThings Hub 2018 (IM6001-V3P), or SmartThings Hub 2015 if your hub has a Welcome Code.
- Follow the on-screen steps. You may be asked to choose your Wi-Fi network and enter its password.
SmartThings Station (from Samsung’s SmartThings Station user manual (EP-P9500)):
- Plug it in. The hub light flashes blue while it starts up.
- When the hub light flashes red, green, then blue, bring your phone close and tap Add now on the pop-up.
- No pop-up? In the app, go to Devices, Add (+), Add device, then Scan and scan the QR code on the bottom of the Station.
- Samsung suggests setting it up within about 1 m (3 feet) of the router. Public, company or dorm networks, or networks with restricted ports, may not work.
Add a Matter device
SmartThings’ steps (SmartThings: SmartThings x Matter integration):
- Put the device in pairing mode. The app may show a pop-up offering to add it.
- Otherwise, tap Add (+), Add Device, then Scan, and scan the QR code on the device. You can tap Enter under Enter setup code to type the 11 or 21 digit code instead.
- Choose the hub and room.
- Wait for the device to connect, then choose the Wi-Fi or Thread network if asked.
- Rename the device and tap Save.
With a SmartThings Hub 2015, adding a Thread device means choosing an existing third-party Thread border router and entering its 32-character Thread network key. The border router and hub must be on the same Wi-Fi or wired network (SmartThings: SmartThings x Matter integration).
SmartThings lists these minimums for using the app to add Matter devices: Android app version 1.7.91 or later, or iOS 16.2 or later with app version 1.6.94 or later (SmartThings: SmartThings x Matter integration).
Share Matter devices with other apps
Matter lets one device work with more than one platform at once (SmartThings: SmartThings x Matter integration):
- Open the device in SmartThings, tap More (⋮), then Share with other services.
- Tap Share device. SmartThings shows a new QR code and setup code just for sharing; it’s different from the code printed on the device.
- In the other app, add a Matter device and scan that code.
Each Matter device can connect to at most 5 services. If SmartThings asks you to remove one, unlink the device from a service you no longer use first (SmartThings: SmartThings x Matter integration). To bring in a Matter device already set up in another app, use that app’s sharing option.
Fix onboarding and offline problems
Device fails to onboard (SmartThings: SmartThings x Matter integration):
- Confirm you have a SmartThings or third-party Matter controller (hub).
- Make sure the QR code is fully visible, or type the setup code.
- Check the device is in pairing mode and in range of both your phone and the hub.
- Reset the device using its maker’s instructions and fully restart the SmartThings app.
No Wi-Fi or Thread network to choose (SmartThings: SmartThings x Matter integration):
- Check the hub is online; an offline hub can’t be selected.
- “Network with weak signal”: move the router (or Thread border router) closer to the device.
- “Network not compatible”: check the device supports that band and security type.
- Restart the device and the hub, then try again.
Device was working but went offline (SmartThings: SmartThings x Matter integration):
- Check it’s in range of the hub with nothing large in between.
- Power it off and on, and restart the SmartThings app.
- Check batteries (some devices fail before reaching 0%) or the wiring and power supply.
- Power cycle the hub.
- Remove the device and add it again.
The Station manual adds that if the Station or its Wi-Fi is off for a long time, connected devices may disconnect and need reconnecting (from Samsung’s SmartThings Station user manual (EP-P9500)).
Wi-Fi devices SmartThings can’t find
Samsung’s checklist for LAN and Wi-Fi devices (Samsung: SmartThings does not connect or discover LAN Wi-Fi devices):
- Put your phone and the device on the same local network.
- Check whether the device must be set up in its own app first. Samsung’s example is Philips Hue.
- Close the app, restart your phone, then reopen the app.
- If the device has an Ethernet port, connect it to the router with a cable.
- Restart the router. Samsung also suggests trying Wi-Fi channel 1, 2 or 3 in your router settings.
- If other LAN devices also show as disconnected, uninstall and reinstall the SmartThings app and add the device again.
If you change your Wi-Fi name or password, the Station shows a Wi-Fi disconnected notice in the app; tap it to enter the new details (from Samsung’s SmartThings Station user manual (EP-P9500)).
Reset or reboot a SmartThings hub
A reboot keeps your devices; a factory reset erases everything and you’ll set it up again (Samsung: Factory reset or reboot your SmartThings Hub).
| Hub | Factory reset |
|---|---|
| SmartThings Hub 2018 | Unplug power, hold the RESET button with a pin while reconnecting power, and release as soon as the light goes from flashing to solid yellow. |
| SmartThings Hub v2 | With power and Ethernet connected, hold the red button on the back for 30 seconds until the light turns solid yellow. |
| SmartThings Station | Hold the Reset button for more than 7 seconds, then set it up again (from Samsung’s SmartThings Station user manual (EP-P9500)). |
| SmartThings Wifi or Connect Home | Use Factory reset in the app, or press RESET with a small tool until the light goes off. |
On hubs with firmware below 17.11, Samsung says to remove all devices, automations, scenes and locations in the app before a reset (Samsung: Factory reset or reboot your SmartThings Hub).
Products mentioned in this guide
Details come from Aeotec’s and SmartThings’ product pages, Samsung’s support articles and the Amazon listings. When we checked on October 23, 2026, the Aeotec hub was in stock new, sold by Aeotec’s own Amazon store (Aeotec Home) and shipped by Amazon, and the cable was in stock new, sold and shipped by Amazon.com.
Aeotec Smart Home Hub 2
Works as a SmartThings hub with Matter, a built-in Thread border router and Zigbee 3.0 (SmartThings blog: Aeotec Smart Home Hub 2). Aeotec lists Bluetooth for onboarding and a USB-C power supply; there’s no Z-Wave, so it isn’t a fit for existing Z-Wave devices (Aeotec: Smart Home Hub 2).
View the Aeotec Smart Home Hub 2 on Amazon (affiliate link) →
We have not independently tested this product. Availability, specifications and platform support can change; confirm the details on the product listing and the manufacturer's site.
Amazon Basics Cat 6 Ethernet cable (15 ft)
For wiring a hub or a LAN device to the router, which Samsung suggests when a device has an Ethernet port (Samsung: SmartThings does not connect or discover LAN Wi-Fi devices).
View the Amazon Basics Cat 6 cable on Amazon (affiliate link) →
We have not independently tested this product. Availability, specifications and platform support can change; confirm the details on the product listing and the manufacturer's site.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a hub to use Matter with SmartThings?
Yes. Your phone adds the device, but a Matter controller, such as a SmartThings hub, SmartThings Station or a compatible Samsung TV, controls it afterward. Thread devices also need a Thread border router.
How do I add a Matter device to SmartThings?
Put it in pairing mode, tap Add (+), Add Device, Scan, and scan its Matter QR code or type the setup code. Choose the hub and room, then the Wi-Fi or Thread network if asked.
Why does SmartThings say “Network not compatible”?
The device doesn’t support the network’s band (2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz) or security type. Check the device’s requirements, or use a network that matches.
Can a SmartThings Hub 2015 control Thread devices?
Not on its own. SmartThings says the 2015 hub supports Wi-Fi and LAN Matter devices, and needs a third-party Thread border router on the same network for Thread devices.
Can I use a Matter device in SmartThings and another app?
Yes. In SmartThings choose Share with other services to get a sharing code, then scan it in the other app. Each device can join up to 5 services.
Why can’t SmartThings find my Wi-Fi device?
Your phone and the device must be on the same network, and some brands must be set up in their own app first. Restart the phone and router, and try a cable if the device has an Ethernet port.
How do I reset a SmartThings Station?
Hold the Reset button for more than 7 seconds. You’ll need to set it up again in the app.
Does the Aeotec Smart Home Hub 2 support Z-Wave?
No. Aeotec and SmartThings list Matter, Thread and Zigbee 3.0, without Z-Wave.