How to Pair Philips Hue Bulb

Did you just get Philips Hue Bulb and you are wondering how to put Philips Hue Bulb in pairing mode? You don’t need to search any further because this article will show you the step-by-step detailed process on how to pair Philips Hue Bulb and also how to pair Philips Hue Bulb to various compatible devices. 

Most recent smart bulbs allow you wirelessly control the lighting in your home from other devices like a smartphone. The trendy smart lights you can get in the market these days are the Philips Hue Bulbs, although you might encounter some errors while trying to pair Philips Hue Bulb if they are older models.

People complain of facing difficulties when pairing a new smart bulb. The process is quite easy, you need the dimmer switch to put your Philips Hue Bulb in a pairing mode. This add-on configuration will give you access to easily control all lights in your home. Here in this post, you will learn how to pair Philips hue bulb successfully.

Although, the most latest version of bulbs is already in pairing mode once you switch them on. You will learn everything about pairing your new Philips Hue Bulb with or without the dimmer switch and you will have your Philips Hue Bulb paired by the end of this article.

Compatible Devices Philips Hue can be Paired with

There are several devices Philips Hue can be paired with, some of them are listed below:

  • Amazon smart devices like Alexa, Echo Dot
  • Zigbee devices
  • Google home

pair Philips Hue Bulb

Fundamentals of Pairing Philips Hue Bulb 

Just before you pair your Philips Hue Bulb, you need to understand some basics required for a successful pairing process. 

A universal smart home device like Alexa is one of the common devices users prefer to control lights remotely. Read on to learn how to pair Philips Hue Bulb with Alexa.

The following are the basics you should look out for before pairing your Philips Hue Bulb:

  • The type of Device (Most recent bulbs once turned on are automatically put in pairing mode while you need to pair your bulbs first to your smartphone in the older versions of Philips Hue Bulb).
  • The Dimmer Switch: This helps the pairing process easy and fast, all you have to do is move the dimmer switch close to the Philips Hue Bulb and control it from there.
  • Make Both Devices discoverable: In case you are pairing your Philip Hue Bulb to Alexa, you need to put both of them into pairing mode so they can discover themselves when you connect them.
  • You will need both Apps, Philips and Alexa: You can however control the devices differently or choose how to pair them afterward.
  • Alexa will have access to all schedules, settings, and customized features.
  • If you have a Bridge, you can also pair the Bridge to Alexa. Whatever command you give the Bridge, your Alexa can now perform it.

How to Pair Philips Hue Bulb

Now you know the fundamentals required to put your Philips Hue Bulb into pairing mode. All the latest models of the Philips Hue bulb after 2021 become automatically discoverable when turned.

Follow the steps below to put your Philips Hue Bulb into pairing mode if you have an older model of the Philips Hue bulb:

  • Set up your Philips Hue Bulb and ensure everything is turned on and set!
  • Download the Philips app on your smartphone and install it.
  • Get it ready to discover the device.
  • Engage the bulb by tapping the “on” and “off” buttons till the bulb flashes.
  • The flashing from the bulb means it’s ready to pair.
  • Use the Philips app via your smartphone to discover and pair it with your phone (This is optional though).

pair Philips Hue Bulb

How to Pair Philips Hue Bulb to your Alexa

Since you already know how to make your Philips Hue Bulb in discoverable mode generally, now you need to learn how to pair the device with Alexa. Ensure both devices are active and Alexa has fully found its ground in your home.

You won’t be able to connect to Philips Hue Bulb in case some of Alexa’s features do not support pairing by all means. Follow the steps below to connect Philips Hue to Alexa without bridge:

  • Switch on your Alexa
  • With the aid of your smartphone, open the App Store for iPhone users and Play Store for Android users.
  • In the search bar, type “Alexa” to download Amazon’s app.
  • Install and launch the Alexa app on your Smartphone.
  • Click on “More” on the Home Screen of the Alexa App.
  • Tap on “Add a Device” located at the top of your screen.
  • Tap on the “Light” option.
  • Select the “Philips Hue” option. 
  • Are your bulbs Bluetooth enabled? Tap “Yes”. In case you click “No”, the Alexa App will connect to a Hue Bridge.
  • Tap on “Discover Devices”. Alexa will start searching for nearby devices.
  • Ensure to move your smartphone closer to the bulbs you are trying to set up (Simply hold your phone close to the bulb till it flashes once).
  • Wait for a few minutes to allow the Alexa app to establish a link with your Philips Hue bulbs.
  • Tap on “Set Up Device”. In case some of your bulbs can’t establish a link with the app, simply tap “Add Another” to repeat the process.
  • Tap on “Choose Group” (In case you already added several bulbs, you will need to tap on ‘Choose Device’ to configure them individually).
  • You can as well ignore the remaining steps and start using your Hue Bulbs without adding them to a group.
  • You can’t control the Philips Hue bulbs using your voice commands as a group but you can individually.
  • Select the room where the bulb is located.
  • In case you can’t find the room you want to add your bulb, simply tap on the button to“Skip” (You can always add the bulbs to rooms later).
  • Tap on ‘Continue’ on the following slides to complete the setup.
  • Now, Alexa will be automatically discovered by your smartphone.
  • Ensure you pair Alexa to your smartphone.
  • Ensure you make your Philips Hue Bulb discoverable again to be able to pair it successfully to Alexa.

How to Pair Philips Hue Bulb with Zigbee Radio

Since Zigbee has a lot of control systems available, it’s impossible to give exact, step-by-step instructions on how to pair Philips Hue Bulb with it. However, this post will show you a general overview of how to successfully add your Philips Hue bulb to your existing hub.

Hue devices behave just like any other model of the Zigbee device you may be used with your system already. Follow the steps below to pair Philips Hue bulb to Zigbee device:

  • Open the control program or app related to your Philip Hub bulb.
  • With the use of your Hub’s software, click on Navigate to and choose “Add a new device” (This may be under Settings, Home, or Devices).
  • You may have to choose a category to find your light (Lights & Switches).
  • Choose Scan or Connect for a new Hue light.
  • Once your Hue light is on, your smart hub will be able to locate the Hue light.
  • You can add your new light to any scene or room your system uses to arrange your lights.

pair Philips Hue Bulb

How to Pair Philips Hue Bulb with Google Home

Google Home is a Google smart speaker with an inbuilt Google Assistant. The Philips Hue system can be integrated with Google Assistant which allows you to control your lights with just your voice. This guide will show you how to connect your Philips Hue system with Google Home.

Before you begin this process, you must have the following:

  • Hue App must be installed on your smartphone or tablet.
  • The Philips Hue app must be launched with a minimum of one light installed.
  • Your Google Home device must have already been launched and started working.

Once the three conditions stated above have been met then you can go ahead to pair Philips Hue Bulb with Google Home by following the steps below:

  • Open the Google Home App on your smartphone or tablet.
  • Tap “Accounts” located at the bottom.
  • Click on Set up or Add.
  • Choose “Set up Device”.
  • Click on “Works with Google”.
  • Scroll through the available options and select Philips Hue.
  • Enter your Email and password for your Philips Hue account and tap on Sign in.
  • You will be asked by Philips Hue if you trust Google to control your lights, tap YES.
  • Wait for a few minutes after signing in, then Google will be able to control your lights (Even from your smartphone, and your various Google Home speakers).

pair Philips Hue Bulb

Philips Hue Bulb not connecting to Alexa? Try these Fixes!

Are you having issues pairing your Philips hue bulb with compatible smart devices like Alexa or Google Home device? Then you can try out some fundamental troubleshooting tips to fix the issues. Here’s how to fix all the popular Philips Hue bulb issues, from new bulbs not connecting to existing Hue lights being undiscoverable.

Can’t Add New Philips Hue Bulbs

Just before you can begin using your Philips Hue bulbs, it’s necessary to pair your Philips Hue bulbs to your smart home using the free Hue app for Android and iOS.

To successfully add a new bulb to your light set up, simply open the Hue app and navigate to Settings >> Light, and click on the Add (+) button. 

The app will search for new lights on your network and allow you to add them without any hassle.

Try the troubleshooting tips below in case the Hue app can’t find your new Philips Hue bulb:

  • Turn the light on: Philips Hue bulbs only work when the light switch is turned on. Verify the wall switches for all your bulbs and ensure they are in good shape.
  • Check the brand, it must be compatible: Note that you can only add Hue-compatible bulbs to the Hue app. A compatible bulb should have a Hue logo on the packaging be it the Philips Hue bulb itself or other compatible third-party bulbs. Ensure you did not mistakenly buy a different kind of Philips bulb instead.
  • Add the bulb manually: In case the Hue app doesn’t find your bulb automatically, you can as well add it manually. From the Add light screen, click Use serial number, and type the characters printed on your bulb.
  • Toggle to the Hue Bluetooth app: In case you bought Bluetooth bulbs and you don’t have a Philips Hue Bridge, then, you need to use the free Hue Bluetooth app for Android or iOS. Philips hue Bluetooth app.

pair Philips Hue Bulb

Philips Hue Lights are not reachable

Once you have successfully paired your Philips Hue bulbs to the app, you might find the lights say “Unreachable” later and you can’t switch them on or off anymore using your smartphone or other devices.

This is a common issue that you can always fix with one of these quick tricks:

  • Ensure the light is turned on: You or someone else in your household may have turned off the Philips Hue bulb with the aid of the switch. Ensure all the switches for your Hue bulbs are switched on to control them from the app.
  • Keep your bulbs within range: It’s possible to still use your Philips Hue bulb without moving closer to the Bridge as long as there are other Hue bulbs in between to act like a link. In case you have one bulb far away from all the others, ensure to move it closer to the bridge or add another bulb in the middle to keep it in range.

Philips Hue Bulbs Flicker or Buzz

I am sure the last thing you want from an expensive Philips Hue bulb is for the light to flicker or buzz. In case this happens to your bulbs, it’s usually because you connected them to a dimmer switch.

Although it’s possible to dim Philips Hue bulbs using the app, they don’t work well with physical dimmer switches. Here are some steps you can take to fix it if this is your issue:

  • Change to another socket: Move your Philips Hue bulb to a socket that doesn’t use a dimmer switch to check if it fixes the flickering or buzzing light.
  • Remove the dimmer switch: In case you want to keep your Philips Hue bulb in that socket, you may need to rewire the switch to remove the dimmer. You can as well change to a Wi-Fi light switch.
  • Try a different bulb: If your bulb won’t stop flickering or buzz, you might need to replace it. Kindly contact Philips directly to see if they can swap it out under the warranty.

Can’t Control Your Philips Hue Bulbs

At times, you can pair Philips Hue bulbs successfully and it appears to have connected ideally, but once you try to control them, they won’t just work properly. You might find your Hue bulbs turn on by themselves, don’t change color, or don’t respond to voice commands.

If any of these issues sound like what you are encountering, here are a few tricks to try:

  • Update the Philips Hue App: Smart bulbs run their software, which implies you might need to update them. Open the Hue app and navigate to Settings >> Software update to install new updates. Wait patiently for a few hours if you have a lot of bulbs to update.
  • Remove and re-add your bulbs: If a specific bulb is acting up, go to Settings >> Lights then click on the relevant light and select Delete, it will remove it from the Hue app. Now disconnect the bulb from the power outlet or socket, reconnect it, and pair with the app again.
  • Change your rooms and location: It’s possible the Hue app can’t control your lights correctly because it cannot identify the location. Select the Home tab within the Philips Hue mobile app, click a Room, click on the Options (…) button, then select Edit Room to add or remove bulbs.

One of these fixes should be able to solve most problems with your Philips Hue bulbs. However, in case your Philips Hue bulbs are still not connected, unreachable, or flickering, you might need to unpair everything and begin all over again

To do this, launch the Hue app by clicking on it and navigate to Settings >> Hue Bridge settings >> Clean up. This will help delete all the data from your bridge, including saved automation and paired bulbs. You can as well use the physical reset button that is located at the back of the Hue’s bridge to complete the task.

Then remove every of your bulbs and re-add thenthen to your home and follow the first setup instructions again. That should fix whatever issues you might be experiencing with your Philips Hue bulbs.

I hope this article has helped you pair the Philips Hue bulb successfully with Alexa, Zigbee devices, and Google home devices? Let’s hear from you in the comment section below. For more of your smart home gadgets’ fixes, visit our website often. Thanks for reading thus far. 

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