Before installation
I strongly recommend you take a snapshot of the six-character serial number (SN) of your Hue lights before installing them. You might need the SN to identify the light later, and you absolutely donât want to uninstall and reinstall the light, especially the ceiling lamp.
Install & set up hub
First thing to do is find a perfect place in your house. Usually you donât have too much choice since the Hue Bridge requires an Ethernet connection and power outlet. So, the common option is to place it close to your router.
Regarding the signal range of Hue Bridge, Philips Hue have upgraded the deviceâs firmware in 2018 Q1 to support the Zigbee 3.0 protocol instead of Zigbee light link. It will create a self-forming and self-healing MESH network between all your lights, which means every light becomes a Zigbee signal repeater. You can control the light if it is not far away from the Bridge or other lights.
Connect to router
Plug in the power supply and Ethernet cord. There are 3 led indicators with symbols on the Bridge to show connectivity to: the power, the router (LAN), and the internet connection.
Check the explanation for LED indicators on the Hue Bridge
Find the Bridge on the app
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://homeautotechs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Step1_Add_Hue_Bridge.jpg” _builder_version=”3.17.3″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.3″]Once the Bridge is connected to the router, you can use the Philips Hue app to add the Bridge via âSettingsâ?> âHue Bridgesâ?> âAdd Hue Bridgeâ? For the first time, you can use search to find a Bridge. If you want to add a known Bridge on other smartphone or tablet, then you can use the IP of the Bridge to find it quickly. Once the app finds it, you have 60 seconds to push the button on the Bridge to grant permission.
The app can add multiple Hue Bridges, but you can only connect and control one at a time.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https://youtu.be/aTa26eNlI54″ _builder_version=”3.17.3″][/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.3″]Â Create an account on MY HUE
Use the app to sign up, or directly open MY Hue in your browser to create an account â?both methods access the same process.
Link to Hue account
If you add a Bridge when using a Hue account which doesnât have a link to any Bridge, then the new Bridge will automatically link to your account. If your account already links to a Bridge, then you will see your status automatically be login out.
Please note that Hue only allows one Hue Bridge to be linked to one account, but you can link one Bridge to many accounts if you wish to share the light control with others, such as family members or friends.
More detail about How to create Hue account and link to Hue Bridge
Unlink to Hue account
To remove the Bridge from an account, log in to unlink the Bridge â?either for your own account or another, linked account.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://homeautotechs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Hue_account_unlink_bridge.jpg” _builder_version=”3.17.3″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.3″]Firmware update
You can update the firmware by choosing the setting for automatic update or manual. An update will download and update firmware for every powered Hue product.
Hue app release note for IOS and Android
Reset
If you want to reset the Bridge in some cases, you can use something small, like a needle, to poke the reset pinhole and hold there for 10 seconds. The pinhole is on the bottom of the Bridge. Please remember, the Bridge remains powered during the reset process.
Finding a newly installed bulb
First, ensure your lights are powered, then use the Hue app on âSettingsâ?> âLight setupâ?> âAdd lightâ? You have two options to find a newly installed light: by using the search feature, or to key in a bulbâs six-character SN to find a specified Hue light.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https://youtu.be/VqsrDIEfqk8″ _builder_version=”3.17.3″][/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.3″]
Find by Search
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://homeautotechs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Step2_Add_light_by_search.jpg” _builder_version=”3.17.3″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.3″]Using the auto search, your Hue Bridge will automatically find all lights in the Zigbee network. This process works on latest-model lights like 3rd Gen bulbs, but it takes a bit longer than searching by SN.
Find by SN
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://homeautotechs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Step2_Add_light_by_SN.jpg” _builder_version=”3.17.3″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.3″]In some cases your light might not be found by the auto search. This usually happens when you are trying to connect old-model lights. Proceed to use the SN to find the bulb â?,this seems to succeed consistently.
Install the Motion Sensor
Install a motion sensor to control the light automatically. This will switch the light on when someone is approaching.
The sensor is powered by button battery which is already installed. The battery should last 5-6 months in normal use and can be located by removing the screw on the back cover. You have two options when placing a sensor: either use its magnetic base, which allows the device to be attached to metal surfaces like refrigerators, or you can screw the base to a wall or door.
There is an led indicator on front of the sensor. You can use it to determine the sensor status.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https://youtu.be/1SmRYug10y4″ _builder_version=”3.17.3″][/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.3″]Add new â?using the app
The setup is rather simple. After you remove the plastic strip, you will see the led indicator is blinking orange, which means it is in pair mode. You can add it using the Hue app on âSettingsâ?> âAccessory setupâ?> âAdd accessoryâ? Once it connects, you can change the brightness and sensitivity to motion, to adjust it to suit your needs.
One thing you should be aware of, the sensor can only detect an arc area of about 120° angle and ? feet in front. It canât detect movement behind glass.
Disable sensor â?using the app
You can easily disable the Hue motion sensor if you donât want to use it temporarily, and you can enable it later when you want. While in the app, use the toggle switch for the sensor in the “Accessory setup” screen.
Reset
Like resetting a Hue Bridge, you need to use a small stick or other small object to reset the sensor by inserting the object into the pinhole for 10 seconds.
Set up Dimmer Switch
Like the motion sensor, the dimmer comes with a button battery (CR2450) pre-installed. You need to connect it to the Hue Bridge before using it to control the lights.
You can switch the lights on and off and control the brightness. You can also cycle through the 4 Hue light recipes by quick-pressing the ‘ON’ button multiple times (with White ambiance and White and color ambiance products).
Add new
Once you remove the plastic strip and click the âONâ?button, you will see the led indicator  blinking orange, which means it is in pair mode.
There are two modes you can choose for using a dimmer. The first is standalone mode, which can directly connect the dimmer to the light. The other connects the dimmer to the Bridge and then uses the app to pair the dimmer to the light(s) you want to control.
Connect to a Hue Bridge
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https://youtu.be/mVUUqgYJY14″ _builder_version=”3.17.3″][/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.3″]The setup is the same as for other accessories, using the Hue app on âSettingsâ?> âAccessory setupâ?> âAdd accessoryâ?> âAdd Dimmerâ? then just follow the built-in guide.
The meaning of different led indicator statuses:
- Red: Power is low
- Green blinking: Working Normally when you press the button.
- Orange blinking: Ready to connect.
Use standalone
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https://youtu.be/pt6cHBrtYCk” _builder_version=”3.17.3″][/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.3″]The switch can be using in âstandaloneâ?mode. You can control almost all Hue lights (except the Hue Beyond and Hue Phoenix). All you need to do is position the dimmer close to the Hue light you want to pair, press the ON button until the light become green blinking, then you have them paired.
Itâs not possible to control colors in âstandaloneâ?mode. When connected with the Hue app you can control color and assign your own scenes for certain rooms to cycle between when pressing the ‘ON’ button.
Reset
Again, you need use a small stick to reset a dimmer. Use it to press and hold the âsetupâ?button on the back for 10 seconds.
Troubleshooting for Hue dimmer
Set up Hue Tap Switch
The Hue Tap switch has similar capabilities to the Hue Dimmer, but it doesnât have a dimming function, So I would recommend the Hue Dimmer instead of the Hue Tap, especially since the dimmer is smaller and more inexpensive.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m5iK96Tlxo” _builder_version=”3.17.3″][/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.3″]Â Add new
Open the Hue app and go to, âSettingsâ?> âAccessory setupâ?> âAdd accessoryâ?> âHue tap switchâ? to connect the Hue Tap switch. You need to firmly press and hold button 2 of the Hue Tap switch for 10 seconds and then release. Back on the app, you will find the Hue Tap switch is now displayed. Click it and set your Scenes
Reset
In the app, go to âSettingsâ?> âAccessory setupâ? select the Hue Tap and delete the Hue Tap.
Resources
Get support at the Philips Hue website:Â https://www2.meethue.com/en-us/support
Resources on Reddit:Â https://www.reddit.com/r/Hue/
Philips Hue â?How to Videos on YouTube:Â https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqZM_PtaC6E&list=PLj9hU1O4UB02TSB2DSGXxHsZu8BuFbzI7
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