If you ever run into your Phillips Hue switch blinking red, you may wonder, “why does my Philips hue dimmer switch blink red?” We reveal the 7 main reasons why it happens!
Philips hue dimmer blinking red can indicate a variety of issues. The issues may include a power issue, a communication issue, or a hardware issue. A power problem may be caused by a bad connection, a loose wire, or a problem with the power source. A communication issue may be as a result of a bad connection, interference, or a problem with the Hue Bridge. A hardware issue can be caused by a defective dimmer switch, a faulty bulb, or another problem with the hardware.
Table of Contents
7 Main Reasons Your Philips Hue Dimmer Switch blinks Red?
1. Low battery
Philips hues will blink red when the batteries are low. You can
still use the switch, but you’ll need to replace the batteries soon. To do so,
unscrew the back plate and remove the old batteries. Insert new AAA batteries
and screw the back plate back on. Also, check the diagram on the back of the switch and ensure that the batteries are inserted correctly. Note that
you’ll need to re-pair your switch with the bridge if you’ve replaced the
batteries.
2. Software updates
Philips hues undergo regular software updates to improve
performance and security. If your dimmer switch starts blinking red, it
indicates an update available. To install the update,
follow the instructions in the Philips Hue app. Once the update is installed,
your dimmer switch will return to normal operation.
Also, the hue may blink because someone made changes to the
system systems. Ask people in your family or home if they did before taking action.
The dimmer is not configured correctly.
Sometimes, technology can be frustrating. Even when you follow
the instructions to a tee, something can still go wrong. If your Philips Hue
dimmer switch blinks red, it is not configured correctly.
There are a few things that you can do to try and fix this
problem. First, ensure that the Hue bridge is properly connected to your
router and has an internet connection. Next, check to see if the Hue
app is up-to-date. Finally, try resetting the dimmer switch.
If you have tried all of these things and the dimmer switch is
still blinking red, then you may need to contact Philips customer support for
further assistance.
2. Faulty Zigbee connection
The Zigbee is the communication protocol that Philips Hue
uses. If the dimmer switch blinks red, it means a problem
with the Zigbee connection.
There are a few things you can try to fix this:
1. Restart your Philips Hue bridge.
2. Check if there is a firmware update available for your
Philips Hue bridge.
3. Try resetting your Philips Hue dimmer switch.
4. Using a Z-Wave or ZigBee repeater, try moving it
closer to the Philips Hue bridge.
5. Make sure that there are no obstructions between the Philips
Hue dimmer switch and the Philips Hue bridge.
6. Check if there are any other devices in your home that could
be causing interference with the Zigbee signal.
3. Lightbulb issue
Your Philips hue dimmer may blink red because of lightbulb
issues. One of the three main issues could be the case: too many
lightbulbs are connected, the firmware needs to be updated, or the lightbulb is
burnt out.
If you have too many lightbulbs connected, disconnect
some of them and see if that solves the problem. If your firmware needs to be
updated, connect your bridge to your computer and follow the instructions.
Lastly, if one of your lightbulbs is burnt out, replace it with a new
one.
You can also troubleshoot your dimmer switch by resetting
it. To do so, press and hold the on/off button for about 10 seconds until the
light on the front of the dimmer switch blinks green.
4. Restart the Bridge
Just like your PC or phone, sometimes your Philips Hue
bridge needs a restart to fix technical issues. Unplug the bridge, wait for 2 minutes and plug it back.
After the bridge finishes starting up, check to see if the issue
is resolved. If not, try resetting the bridge.
5. Soft reset
A soft reset will clear any settings that may have been changed
and allow you to start fresh with the configuration process. All you have to do
is press all four buttons on the dimmer for about five seconds. The
light on the device will then go green, indicating that it has been reset
successfully.
6. Hard reset
A hard reset should be the last option because it sets your
Philips Hue system is back to factory defaults. All your custom
settings will be deleted, like light names and rooms. Note that you will have
to reconfigure your system from scratch after a hard reset.
The hub has a hole in the back. Stick a paperclip in the hole
and press and hold for about 15 seconds. This will delete everything and reset
the hub to its factory settings.
Once the hub is reset, you can start from scratch by following
the instructions in the Philips Hue app.
You will need to uninstall and reinstall the official
app and any third-party apps you use with your Philips Hue system.
A hard reset will delete all your custom settings, like light
names and rooms.
7. The dimmer is faulty and need to be returned to the store
Sometimes, you may exploit all the avenues, but the dimmer
doesn’t work. At this point, you can return the dimmer to the store and get a
refund.
Contact the retailer and explain the problem. The retailer will most
likely be willing to refund your purchase or offer a replacement. However, if
you purchased the dimmer from an online store, you may have to pay for return
shipping.
Why Does My Philips Hue Dimmer Switch Blink Red? Conclusion
Philips hues are awesome, but they are not impervious to faults.
If your Philips hue dimmer switch is blinking red, it could be for any of the
reasons listed above.
Try the troubleshooting tips one by one until the issue
is resolved. If all else fails, you can always return the dimmer to the store
for a refund or replacement. A hard reset should be the last option, as it will
delete all your custom settings.
If you enjoyed this article, check out our “Why does my Phillips Hue turn off by itself?” article here!