Home Assistant Room Presence Sensor — Complete Setup Guide (ESP32 + HLK-LD2410 +
Stop losing control of your smart home automations because a motion sensor thinks the room is empty — when you're still sitting right there.
This guide walks you through building a true presence detection sensor using the HLK-LD2410 millimeter wave (mmWave) radar module paired with an ESP32 and ESPHome. Unlike standard PIR motion sensors that only detect movement, the HLK-LD2410 continuously monitors the room and detects stationary occupants — someone reading, sleeping, or working at a desk — and keeps your automations running correctly the entire time.
I built this sensor for my own home after getting frustrated with lights shutting off while I was sitting still at my computer. I made the mistakes, chased down the bugs, and dialed in the configuration so you don't have to. Every step is documented clearly, with the exact YAML you need to get up and running in Home Assistant.
What's Included:
Complete step-by-step wiring and setup instructions
Full ESPHome YAML configuration — ready to flash
Home Assistant integration walkthrough
Sensor sensitivity tuning guidance (moving and still detection zones)
Tips for optimal sensor placement and detection range
Troubleshooting section covering the most common issues
Highlights:
🎯 True Presence Detection
The HLK-LD2410 uses 24GHz mmWave radar to detect both moving and stationary targets. It knows you're in the room even when you're completely still — no more lights or fans shutting off mid-task.
⚡ Powered by ESP32 + ESPHome
Native Home Assistant integration via ESPHome means no cloud dependency, no third-party apps, and instant entity availability the moment the device boots.
📄 YAML Included — Just Customize and Flash
No starting from scratch. The guide includes a complete, working YAML configuration with clearly labeled sections. Change the name, adjust your Wi-Fi credentials, and flash.
🔧 Sensitivity Tuning Made Simple
The LD2410 exposes per-gate sensitivity controls for both still and moving detection across up to 9 distance zones (~0.75m each). The guide explains exactly what to adjust and why — so you can dial it in for your specific room without guesswork.
💰 Inexpensive and Scalable
The entire sensor build costs under $10 in hardware. Once you've done one room, adding more is straightforward — deploy to every room in your home and build automations that actually know where people are.
🏠 Perfect for Smart Home Automations
Control lighting, fans, HVAC, and more based on real occupancy — not just whether someone moved in the last 30 seconds. Combine with other Home Assistant entities for powerful room-aware automations.
Who This Is For:
This guide is written for Home Assistant users who are comfortable with basic DIY electronics and want a reliable, affordable presence sensor they can trust. If you've used ESPHome before you'll be up and running quickly. If you're newer to it, the step-by-step format walks you through everything you need.
Hardware Required (not included):
ESP32 development board (~$4–6)
HLK-LD2410 mmWave radar sensor (~$3–5)
USB cable for flashing / power supply for permanent install