Setting up the Sonoff Zigbee Motion Sensor

Want instant, reliable motion-activated automations — without cloud delays or Wi-Fi issues?
The SONOFF SNZB-03P is a Zigbee 3.0 motion sensor that connects directly to your Home Assistant Zigbee network for fast, local, battery-friendly detection. Use it to trigger lights, secure entryways, save energy, or automate hallways and bathrooms with zero lag.

What You’ll Need

• Sonoff Zigbee Human Presence Sensor (SNZB-03P)

• A Zigbee coordinator set up (e.g. Sonoff Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus)

• A working ZHA or Zigbee2MQTT setup in Home Assistant
  

Step 1 — Power the Sensor

The SNZB-03P ships with the battery installed and an isolation tab hidden inside the case.

1. Open the back, and then twist with a coin or screwdriver the next section open. 

2. Inside, you’ll see the CR2477 battery with a small plastic tab underneath.

3. Remove the tab completely.

4. Close the sensor again.

5. The LED should flash once to confirm the sensor is now powered.

If no flash occurs, press the side button once.
You only need to remove the tab once — from then on the sensor is active.

Step 2 — Prepare Home Assistant

Option A: Using Zigbee2MQTT (Follow this to setup Zigbee2MQTT)

1. Go to Settings → Add-ons → Zigbee2MQTT → Open Web UI.

2. Click Permit join (All) this will allow devices to automatically connect. 

3. Once the device has connected, press Disable join.

Option B: Using ZHA

1. Go to Settings → Devices & Services → Zigbee Home Automation → Configure → Add device.
   It will search for zigbee devices.

Step 3 — Put the Sensor Into Pairing Mode

On the SNZB-03P sensor, press and hold the button (the LED) for about 5 seconds until the light begins flashing slowly. It is quite dim and hard to see but should be located on the top and flash red. 
This indicates that the sensor is now in pairing mode and broadcasting to join your Zigbee network.

Step 4 — Wait for Detection

After a few seconds, the sensor should appear automatically:

• In Zigbee2MQTT, it will show up in the Devices list or logs with a name like:
  0x00124b00294a1234 (SONOFF SNZB-03P)

• In ZHA, Home Assistant will display a popup saying “Device found” and automatically add the sensor to your device list.                                                            
  
  

Step 5 — Test the Sensor

1. Simply move infront of the sensor and it should detect this movement:

   • In ZHA, the device will detect occupancy.                                                           

   • In Zigbee2MQTT, you can rename the device. It will show lots of entities, and occupancy should be true. 

   • 

Your sensor is now ready for automations, simply mount it on a wall and for optimal results don't point it at fans or air conditioners, etc. 

FAQ

Q: Does the SNZB-03P detect stationary people?
No — this is a PIR sensor. It detects motion only, you can get the SNZB-06P Human Presence Detector instead.

Q: Can I use ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT together on one dongle?
No — each requires its own Zigbee coordinator.
You can run both with two separate dongles.

Q: Does it require Wi-Fi?
No — it is Zigbee only and works fully offline.

Q: Is it a Zigbee router?
No — it is a battery-powered end device, however the SNZB-06P Human Presence Detector also functions as a Zigbee powered router.