IKEA’s new Matter-over-Thread smart home devices are facing widespread connectivity issues, with users reporting problems with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Home Assistant. The company has acknowledged the issue and said it is working with partners to investigate.
The company’s recent efforts at affordable smart home technology appear to have stalled.
Customers who purchased new Matter-over-Thread devices launched in late 2025 are reporting difficulty pairing products such as smart light bulbs, plugs, sensors, and buttons with their chosen ecosystem.
Complaints surfaced on the Tradfri subreddit, IKEA’s own website, and in reviews by journalists including Jennifer Tuohy of The Verge, who had trouble connecting multiple devices despite multiple attempts.
The most common complaints are devices not appearing during setup or disappearing from the network after initial pairing. Tuohy reports that out of the six devices he tested, only one Kajplats smart bulb and one Alpstuga IAQ monitor were able to successfully connect, and even then, only after several failed attempts.
Other users have repeated similar experiences, with some citing failure rates of up to 50%.
IKEA smart home product manager David Granath confirmed that the company is aware of the issue and has assigned a dedicated team to investigate. He said IKEA is working closely with ecosystem partners and the Connectivity Standards Alliance to identify the cause and improve reliability.
Although IKEA claims many customers are enjoying a seamless experience, the high number of complaints suggests the rollout was far from smooth.
The timing is especially troubling given Matter’s promise of universal compatibility. This standard was designed to eliminate fragmentation by ensuring that devices work across platforms without the use of proprietary hubs.
IKEA’s decision to move away from Zigbee and embrace Matter-over-Thread was aimed at simplifying setup and expanding compatibility. However, early adopters noticed the opposite: devices refusing to connect or disconnecting from the network unexpectedly.
Considering IKEA’s new range of smart home products, patience may be wise. Troubleshooting tips are available, including a reminder that your device will only stay in pairing mode for 15 minutes after you turn it on, and you’ll need to manually reactivate it if you forget. Still, consumers risk being dissatisfied until IKEA provides a fix.
Smart home enthusiasts may want to consider alternatives in the meantime.
