This guide is for anyone whose Hue Play gradient lightstrip won’t sync with the TV. It brings together Hue’s product pages, Hue’s sync guide and the sync box release notes.

What This Problem Means

To sync with your TV, the Play gradient lightstrip needs a sync device and the Philips Hue app, and it needs to be in an Entertainment area. Hue’s pages differ on the Bridge: the original strip’s page says it needs a Bridge-controlled setup and a Hue sync box, while Hue’s sync guide says a sync box can work without a Bridge for one light. For more than one light you need a Hue Bridge.

Common Symptoms

• The strip doesn’t follow what’s on the screen
• Only one light syncs with the TV
• Syncing works for HDMI devices but not for the TV’s own apps
• The sync box doesn’t detect your Entertainment area
• An original Play gradient lightstrip is plugged into the sync box or Play light bar power supply

Safe Checks You Can Try

1. Check you have a sync device

Hue’s page for the latest Play gradient lightstrip says “Sync device and Hue app required”. The options it lists are the “Hue Sync TV app, Hue screen sync or HDMI sync box”.

Hue’s page for the original Play gradient lightstrip says it “requires a Hue Bridge-controlled smart lighting set-up and a Hue sync box”.

2. Add the strip to an Entertainment area

The strip has to be in the Entertainment area you’re syncing. Hue says: “You can add any colour-capable Philips Hue lights to an Entertainment area.”

3. Add a Bridge for more than one light

Hue’s sync guide says a sync box works with one light without a Bridge, and recommends adding the Bridge to expand the Entertainment area to more than one light. For more than one light you need a Hue Bridge.

4. Use an HDMI source for the sync box

Hue says: “The Sync Box only works with HDMI devices.” It won’t sync the TV’s own built-in apps. Hue’s other sync options are the Hue Sync TV app and Hue screen sync.

5. Original strip: use its own power supply

If you have the original Play gradient lightstrip, don’t run it from the sync box or Play light bar power supply. Hue’s page for the original Play gradient lightstrip says: “Please use the power supply unit included in the box for your Play gradient lightstrip.”

6. Keep the sync box up to date

Hue’s sync box release notes include a fix for an issue “where the Hue sync box would not detect some Entertainment areas”, so keep the sync box firmware up to date.

When To Contact Support

If none of these steps fix it, contact Philips Hue through Hue’s UK support site.