How to Fix NO HUE CONNECTION Philips Hue

How to Fix “NO HUE CONNECTION” with Philips Hue Smart Lighting?

Do you have that annoying “No Hue Connection” error with your Philips Hue, well I did a few times, and I will go into detail how I fixed it and different issues that may cause it.

The quick and simple answer for how to fix “No Hue Connection” with your Philips Hue Smart Lighting is to check your internet connection (top center light should be blue), then try restarting your Philips Hue Bridge, and if neither of those work, try turning your lights off and on manually.

For more information and other issues that may occur, read more below.

 

Philips Hue Bridge
An effectively working Philips Hue Lights is usually solid blue. The 1-4 numbered hue bridge consists of:

  1. Power Light
    It should not be flashing and needs to be constant blue. In case it’s not showing this color, then ensure that the adopter plug is well inserted. In addition to that, make sure that you turn on the mains power.
  2. The Network Light
    It needs to be constant blue to indicate that it’s successfully connected to your home network.
  3. Internet Connection
    It should be constant blue to show a successful internet connection. This is important for remote access to the bulbs.
  4. The Sync Button
    It’s a vital security feature that allows apps to access the bridge. You need to push this button to allow this to happen.

Note: these lights turn on automatically if the hue bridge is working. So, there is no option of turning them off.

How to Fix Philips No Hue Connection

Philips Hue bulbs are among the best smart lights at the moment. They enhance your home’s lighting system by providing natural lighting. However, this equipment sometimes has hue connection issues. So, how can you fix some of the most common hue connection problems while using Philips smart lights?

Failed Bridge Connection

If the Hue Bridge has solid blue lights, then it’s well-connected and working. The solid blue color indicates that the Hue Bridge is connected to the network. If the bridge is flashing red, then you need to reset the bridge. You can only search for the bridge within 30 minutes after plugging it in.

In case there is no bridge connection, make sure that the device with the hue app and the hue bridge are all connected to the same network. For users with multiple networks, you can try each network by searching for the bridge and then trying to reconnect again.

The Bridge Can’t Find Lights

Trying to add lights to the hue bridge and not finding it can be annoying. However, this is a problem that you can easily fix. For starters, you need to ensure that the lights you are using are hue bulbs. Note that you can confuse Philips Hue bulbs with Philips LED lights. Although you may think that it’s impossible, there are so many instances where people have confused the two.

To connect the hue bridge and the bulb, you need to manually or automatically search for them the bulbs. However, if you can’t find the bulbs, then it means that they are not within the range. Besides that, the bulbs’ position is also important. Change the position of the bulbs by moving them closer to the hub.

The connection process involves adding the bulbs’ serial numbers. To do this:

  • Open the app and then go to settings
  • Tap the “add the serial number “option.
  • Enter the serial number of the bulb
    (each bulb has a six-digit serial number on the base).
  • Connect the bulbs to the bridge by clicking ok.

Note: the auto-search option is not always accurate. So, always use the Manual Search option to find the bulbs. The bulbs should be in the appropriate light fixtures and power switched on.

Unreachable Hue Lights Error

Even after successfully connecting the bulbs, some lights may fail to work. So, if you try to switch off the lights without the app and some lights are not reachable, then the main issue could be related to settings.

To fix this problem, turn all the lights simultaneously. Wait for a few seconds before switching all of them off.

Alternatively, you can use the app to fix this problem by:

  • Go to settings.
  • Click the set-up option for lighting and then go to “info”.
  • Remove the selected bulb and then add it again.

Apart from settings, another source of unreachable error could be the light switch. Hue bulbs can only operate if they turned on from the main switch. Wireless commands used to change inbuilt commands like changing color and dimming the lights. To fix this error, you need to turn on the light switch.

Interference is a possible source of unreachable error. However, you can fix this by tapping the “i” icon in settings. However, make sure that all the lights are on and then click on the channel change button. Lastly, a shorter network mesh can make some bulbs unreachable. Understand that if you have more Hue Lights, then you need a wider mesh of network.

But you can fix the network range issue by centrally placing the Hue Bridge. In addition to that, moving an active light bulb closer to an inactive bulb can also help to fix this error.

The Hue Bridge Can’t Connect to the Network

A failed network connection can be a result of poor or bad internet. Additionally, it could be as a result of a faulty Ethernet cable. You can fix most internet connection issues related to Philips Hue Bridge by troubleshooting internet configuration. Ensure the hue bridge is directly and securely connected to the router.

To fix this issue, you need first to restart the hue bridge. Turn it off and then wait for a few seconds before turning it on. Restarting the hue bridge erases the history of the previous network connection and allows for a fresh re connection.

A faulty or poorly connected router could also be another cause of the error. Securely fit the cable between the router and the bridge. To determine if the cable is effective, use your PC and if it’s faulty, then replace it.

Note: Philips Hue Bridge can effectively work without an internet connection. However, the system can only work if it’s connected via an Ethernet cable to a wireless router. The router is usually used by the bridge to send wireless signals to all the hue bulbs in the system. So, the wireless router can have no internet connection, and the lighting system will still work.

The Hue Bridge Has Automatically Stopped Working

The hue bridge can stop working automatically and could be due to disruption of the communication between the bulbs. On the other hand, it could as a result of settings. In the case of this problem, then you need to reset the hue bridge.

To fix this problem, you need to:

  • Disconnect the Hue Bridge.
  • Turn to the back of the bridge and look for the gap found close to “restore factory setting”.
  • Use a small pin and gently introduce it via that hole.
  • Gently press it for around 5 seconds. Note that the bridge needs to be on while you are doing this.
  • Release the pin. By doing so, you would have restored the Hue Bridge’s factory settings.
  • Connect the bridge and all the lights by going to the connection section.

Connection Issues between Philips Hue and Amazon Alexa

You can command your Hue Lights by using Amazon Alexa, as it creates a powerful and beautiful smart home with alights setup that can run under voice commands. But sometimes trying to link them up may fail due to connection issues.

To fix this problem, you need to:

  • Restart Amazon Echo and the Philips Hue Bridge.
  • Using the Alexa App, deactivate and then reactivate Philips Hue Skill
  • Disconnect the Hue Bridge from Amazon Echo using the “Forget” option found in the Alexa Application. The “Forget” option allows you to disconnect the echo and the bridge successfully.
  • Re-link them after a few seconds

Note: a successful connection between Amazon Alexa and the Hue Bridge is only possible if there Wi-Fi. Additionally, both of them need to be connected to a network from the same router. Don’t forget that it’s important for Alexa to know the group name assigned to the Philips Hue.

iCloud Data Sync Pairing Error

While pairing Siri and the Hue Bridge, you may come across a pop up indicating that the iCloud Data Sync is still in progress. As a result, the pairing won’t be successful, and you will receive a notification to try after a short while. However, you might still experience the same problem and end up in an endless cycle if you have to keep retrying.

So, to fix this problem:

  • Open your iPhone’s settings.
  • Select iCloud and then Sign Out. Make sure that you tap on the confirmation pop-up to successfully sign out.
  • You can select the “Delete from my iPhone” option if you want to remove all the information. Alternatively, you can choose the “Keep on My iPhone” option if you don’t want all the information deleted
  • Key in your Apple ID password to confirm your iCloud account’s removal.
  • Tap the Turn Off option.
  • Go to iCloud settings and then select sign-in.
  • Use your Apple email and password to complete the sign-in process.
  • Once you have finished all these, go the Hue app and then try again to pair Siri with the Hue Bridge.

Buzzing and Flickering Hue Bulbs

There are a couple of reasons why Philips Hue Bulbs may buzz and flicker. It could be because you are using a dimmer switch. Although some dimmer switches work well, others can result in the buzzing sound. According to Philip’s, the dimmer should always be kept 100 percent dim all the time. Secondly, it could be because a Hue Bulb is faulty or damaged.

Note: to ensure that its ingenious lighting system works seamlessly, Philips has introduced a wireless dimmer. It consists of four buttons i.e. dim down/up and on/off. The wireless dimmer needs to be stuck on a wall. Users can also pop it out from the wall plate and use it together with remote control.

This new dimmer is a game-changer although it behaves just like the traditional switch. Its size makes it a better replacement for traditional switches and wired dimmers. The buzz-free and easy-to-use dimmer provides instant control. You can also use it to control up to ten Philips Hue bulbs.

“Bridge Already Pair” Connection Error

While trying to pair the Hue Bridge and Siri HomeKit, you might get the “Bridge is already paired” error, which is a common and fixable error that most users normally come across.

To fix it:

  • Open your iPhone’s settings.
  • Go to privacy and then select the HomeKit Option.
  • Tap it and then choose Reset HomeKit Configuration. You need to confirm the Reset Configuration to complete the process successfully.

Note: although this process helps to fix the problem, you will need to repair all other products previously paired with the HomeKit.

Unreliable Lights

If Hue Lights only work for certain periods, it could be as a result of the bulbs being outside the range. Bulbs may be out of range with each other or with the Hub. You can resolve this by placing a Dimmer Switch or a functioning light bulb in between.

Other Things You Need to Know…

  • You can control several Hue Bridges simultaneously. If you have more than one Hue Bridge, then you can still control your smart home’s lighting system without the need to switch between them.
  • You can have multiple Hue Bridges using the same network.
  • It’s possible to control your lights using 3rd party applications.

The Bottom Line

Philips Hue smart lights are great replacements for ordinary bulbs. They are reliable and incredible alternatives that offer amazing natural lighting experience. You can use voice control, an app, and a wireless switch to control them.

However, this lighting system is also prone to various problems. Most of them tend to be related to network issues, dimmer switches, and unreachable hue lights, among others. The problems mentioned above are among the most common. The good thing is that they are easily fixable. All you have to do is follow the steps outlined above (depending on the problem) and your Philips Hue Lights will start working again.