Philips Hue smart bulbs are some of the best on the market, offering reliable performance and dozens of customization options. But like all electronic devices, they are prone to various glitches and errors. Luckily, a problem with your Hue bulb doesn’t mean it’s time to replace it – you may just need to do a reset.
Alternatively, if you want to sell your Hue lights, a reset is a good option to ensure that none of your data or settings are transferred to the new owner.
Resetting Philips Hue bulbs takes less than 10 minutes and is a great way to get them working like new again. Learn how to reset Philips Hue bulbs, including tips for resetting the bulb itself or via a bridge.
Are you still having problems? Check out our list of the best smart light bulbs for alternatives.
How to reset a Philips Hue light bulb
Remember that Philips Hue is different from Philips Wiz and these instructions only apply to Hue. Here’s what you need to do to reset your Philips Hue light bulb.
Step 1: Open the Philips Hue app on your mobile device.
Step 2: Choose Settings tab at the bottom of the screen.
Step 3: Choose Lights menu..
Step 4: Select the bulb you want to reset.
Step 5: Choose Delete at the bottom of the page and then confirm by selecting turn off the light. The light is now unpaired and can be read wherever it is needed.
Step 6: Select the “+” button in the top right corner.
Step 7: Choose Seek to find the recently removed light bulb. This step may take a moment. If the bulb can be found, you may need to print the serial number on the side of the bulb and enter it into the app.
Step 8: Once you find the light bulb, identify it using a name and a symbol. Beat Completed.
Step 9: Drag the icon for the new light into the room where you want it, then select Completed.
How to reset Philips Hue light bulb without bridge
Philips Hue lamps communicate via a bridge accessory. If your bridge is broken or missing for some reason, it is still possible to reset the bulbs yourself. Most Hue lamps have built-in Bluetooth and can be used to connect to a mobile device. How to reset your light bulb without a bridge.
Step 1: Turn the power to the light bulb off and on again five times. This activity should return it to a pairing mode.
Step 2: Download the Hue Bluetooth app.
Step 3: Follow the pairing process.
Step 4: If cutting power to the bulb doesn’t cause it to enter pairing mode, you may need to purchase one Hue dimmer switch. This allows you to reset a light bulb by bringing the switch near it.
Bring the dimmer switch within 10 centimeters of the light bulb.
Step 5: press and hold I And O Buttons pressed simultaneously for 10 seconds.
Step 6: The LED on the dimmer switch should flash and the light bulb should also flash to indicate it has been reset. You can now proceed to add the bulb to your system, starting with step 6 above.
For more guidance on setting up your Philips Hue bulbs, check out our complete installation guide and how to use Philips Hue bulbs with geofencing.
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