---
name: Check for stale/duplicate entities when automations partially fail
description: HA automations that notify but don't actuate devices — look for duplicate entities from re-paired devices
type: feedback
---

When an HA automation fires (notifications work) but device actions silently fail, check for duplicate entities. Devices that get re-paired create new entities with raw addresses (e.g., `switch.0xa4c138...`) while the old named entity goes stale.

**Why:** Chicken sprinkler automation sent notifications fine but `switch.turn_on` went to a dead entity. The working device had a new entity with a Zigbee address. Silent failure — no error in HA.

**How to apply:** When debugging partial automation failures, list all entities matching the device name and check `last_changed` dates. If the named entity hasn't changed in days but a raw-address entity is active, the device was re-paired. Fix by removing the stale entity and renaming the live one.