by The Philips Hue is one of the most popular smart lighting devices nowadays. Philips designed the Hue to be simple to set up and use, but this does not exempt it from the majority of common technical challenges.The Philips Hue Bridge is the “brains” of the Hue smart lighting system, as it allows you to control up to 50 lights from one single device connected to your smartphone.
In order for your Bridge to connect to your Hue light bulbs, it doesn’t really need a Wi-Fi connection, as it also uses Zigbee wireless signals to connect to your smart lighting devices. But if you want to use virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to control your lights using your voice, you will need an internet connection.
So, what do you do when the Philips Hue Bridge is unable to connect to the internet? Let’s try troubleshooting it.
Why is the Hue Bridge Unable to Connect to The Internet?
Here are the most common causes that make your Hue Bridge unable to connect:
- Your Wi-Fi signal is weak.
- The Ethernet connection from your internet router to your Hue Bridge is faulty.
- Something is wrong with your internet connection or router.
Using an Ethernet cable is the best way to ensure that your internet connection to your Philips Hue Bridge is strong enough. A weak internet connection may not keep up and give you an error.
Troubleshooting the Hue Bridge is Unable to Connect Issue
Troubleshooting is the first thing you should do when something goes wrong with any of your devices, as just a simple thing might just fix your problem.
Here are some things you can try to fix your connection issue to your Hue Bridge:
1. Reboot your internet router.
Your internet router might just be the problem in your case. If something is wrong with your router, then of course your Hue Bridge can’t connect to the internet. Restarting the router might just fix your problem.
On most routers, there is a restart button or pinhole. In this case, just push the reset button for a few seconds and your router will restart. If your router does not have a reset button, simply unplug the router from the power outlet and plug it in again.
Also read : Can Smart Plugs Work Without the Internet?
2. Double-check that your connections are properly made.
The Philips Hue Bridge requires an Ethernet cable to be plugged in. Make sure your Ethernet cable is plugged in properly into the correct port on your internet router. The correct ports are named LAN or Ethernet ports, and they’re usually colored yellow on the back of your router.
3. Restart the Philips Hue Bridge.
Resetting your Hue Bridge should be one of the first things to do in case it is unable to connect to the internet. Before resetting your Hue Bridge, remember that doing so erases all information. This means that you will have to reconnect.
To reset your Hue Bridge, follow these steps:
- Make sure your Hue Bridge is powered on.
- Unplug the Ethernet cable from your device.
- Find the pinhole reset button on the bottom of your Hue Bridge.
- Using a needle or a bent paper clip, hold the button for a few seconds.
During the reset, the light on the front of your device will blink. After the blinking stops, your Hue Bridge has been reset.
What If My Hue Bridge Is Still Unable to Connect?
If even after following the steps above, your Hue Bridge is still unable to connect to the internet, your best bet is to ask a Philips support staff. Your device might be defective and thus need to be replaced altogether. The good thing about the Philips Hue Smart Lights is that they still work even without a Hue Bridge.
Conclusion
The Philips Hue lighting system is one of the best of its kind. It’s easy to use, the quality is unbeatable, and the functions it offers are top-notch. However, these sorts of devices sometimes malfunction, and usually a simple restart will help it get back to work.
You just need to make sure all your connections are made properly and that your cables are in working condition.
