Are your UniFi devices stuck in an endless “adopting” loop? This comprehensive guide will help you resolve adoption issues with UniFi devices, particularly when running your controller in Docker on a Synology NAS.
Quick Solution
SSH into your UniFi device and set the inform URL using:
syswrapper.sh set-inform http://[controller-ip]:8080/inform
Prerequisites
- SSH access to your UniFi devices
- UniFi Controller version 8.x (running in Docker)
- Basic networking knowledge
- Device admin credentials
Understanding the Problem
When UniFi devices get stuck in the “adopting” state, it’s usually due to one of these issues:
- Incorrect inform URL configuration
- SSH key compatibility problems
- Network isolation conflicts
- Docker container networking issues
Detailed Solution Steps
1. Controller Setup Verification
First, ensure your UniFi controller is properly configured:
- Running UniFi controller version 8.x in Docker on Synology
- Controller accessible at
http://192.168.100.10:8080/inform(adjust IP to match your setup) - All required ports open (8080, 8443, 3478)
2. Network Isolation
Before attempting adoption, ensure your devices are in the correct IP range. Different IP ranges from your ISP's router can cause adoption conflicts.
3. SSH Connection Process
When connecting to UniFi devices via SSH, modern systems may encounter this error:
no matching host key type found. Their offer: ssh-rsa,ssh-dss
To resolve this, use the following SSH command:
ssh -o HostKeyAlgorithms=+ssh-rsa,ssh-dss [email protected]
4. Device Adoption Steps
- SSH into your UniFi device
- Run the inform command:
syswrapper.sh set-inform http://[your-controller-ip]:8080/inform
- Wait for the adoption process (usually takes 30-60 seconds)
5. Specific Device Examples
UniFi Switch US-8-60W
ssh -o HostKeyAlgorithms=+ssh-rsa,ssh-dss [email protected]
syswrapper.sh set-inform http://192.168.100.10:8080/inform
UniFi Access Points
ssh [email protected]
set-inform http://192.168.100.10:8080/inform
Common Errors
SSH Key Error
Modern operating systems running OpenSSH 9.x refuse connections to older UniFi devices due to legacy SSH key types. Add the following to your SSH command:
-o HostKeyAlgorithms=+ssh-rsa,ssh-dss
Adoption Timeout
If devices timeout during adoption:
- Verify network connectivity
- Check firewall rules
- Ensure correct VLAN configuration
- Verify DNS resolution
Troubleshooting Tips
- Controller Accessibility
- Verify controller URL is accessible
- Check Docker container status
- Confirm port forwarding rules
- Network Configuration
- Ensure devices are on the same subnet
- Verify no IP conflicts exist
- Check DHCP configuration
- Security Considerations
- Temporary disable firewalls during adoption
- Verify SSH access is enabled
- Check device credentials
Prevention and Best Practices
- Always document your network configuration
- Keep firmware updated
- Maintain backup configs
- Use static IPs for controllers
Unifi Devices Tested
This solution has been tested with UniFi Controller version 8.6.9 running in Docker on Synology NAS. Your specific setup might require slight modifications.