topic Re: Matter devices are always offline UNLESS added through third party apps in Home Automation

Matter devices are always offline UNLESS added through third party apps

Braddersly — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 06:43:34 GMT

I'm going slightly mad trying to troubleshoot shoot this one.

Essentially, I've been trying to set up a room with multiple lights triggered using the same Bilresa switch. Throughout the setup of the lighting matter devices, I've not been able to add them to Google Home directly because they'll appear in a permanently offline state, however they work perfectly if I set them up in their native ecosystem (tapo, aqara, etc) then share the ecosystem with Google Home. Everything's mostly behaving (one light won't stay under the lighting category for whatever reason; we can live with this), but I'm coming undone trying to connect the Bilresa remote.

IKEA Home Smart cannot let a user add devices without their IKEA proprietary hub being added first (which they also no longer sell in my region), so I'm forced to add the remote via Google Home. It'll add the device, but it will always appear offline in the app. Trying the other apps as a backdoor also not working particularly well.

Seems like no amount of resetting, rebooting, or rebinding on every front is getting the device to talk to the network in a way where I can use it in Google Home. Should I give up or has someone found a workaround? All help appreciated 😭

Re: Matter devices are always offline UNLESS added through third party apps

SmartHomeH-TAGS — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 20:38:03 GMT

What Thread Border Router are you using?

I assume the Aqara Hub?

I will be using my Nest Hub as a Thread Border Router when I can buy some IKEA products online.

I have to wait until April for bulbs to become available to keep the Thread network strong as apparently they are a type of thread extender.

Re: Matter devices are always offline UNLESS added through third party apps

Leoho — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:33:03 GMT

Hey, I'm stuck with the same issue. If you reach a workaround, would be happy for an update. Stay strong

Re: Matter devices are always offline UNLESS added through third party apps

SaraEs — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 18:23:16 GMT

Hi there,

Thank you for reaching out! I understand you're looking to get your IKEA BILRESA Switch working within the Google Home app. I know how frustrating it can be when smart home devices don’t sync as they should, especially after you've already put in so much work to get them connected. I truly appreciate the detailed information you provided and the effort you’ve invested so far, no worries, help is here.

For the IKEA BILRESA switch to function correctly and remain stable within a Matter ecosystem, the IKEA DIRIGERA Hub is mandatory. This hub acts as the primary coordinator for the Thread network; without it, the switch cannot maintain a persistent connection, which is why it appears "Offline" in Google Home.

To help you understand the general requirements for these types of devices, I highly recommend checking out this article: Set up, manage, and control Matter-enabled devices with Google Home.

Since the requirement for a hub is specific to the IKEA ecosystem, you may also want to reach out to IKEA Support if you need further assistance with their specific hub configuration.

Thanks for jumping into this thread @SmartHomeH-TAGS.

If you have more questions, please keep me posted.

Best regards,
Sara

Re: Matter devices are always offline UNLESS added through third party apps

draka_w_sali — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 18:23:04 GMT

Don't waste your money on Dirigera. I have it and have exact same issue, can connect Bilresa and Kajplats to Google Home but they appear offline and can't select them for automations, even though they work just fine through Ikea Home Smart app

Re: Matter devices are always offline UNLESS added through third party apps

turndapage — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 19:09:49 GMT

I've had the same issue. I bought them and connected them find with just my Google Nest network. No ikea hub. It worked perfectly the first day but then went offline. I tried factory resetting and re-adding. It has went online once since then but has stayed offline for the most part.