How to Reset Philips Hue Bulbs and Lights: All Five Methods

Step-by-step fix guide | Philips Hue

Try this first — Find the six-character serial number printed on the Philips Hue light or on a tag on its cord. With it, you can reset the light in the Philips Hue app: go to Settings > Lights, tap the blue plus (+), then choose Use serial number.

This guide is for anyone who needs to factory reset a Hue bulb, lightstrip or other Hue light. Hue’s UK reset guide gives five methods, and they are set out here in Hue’s order.

What This Problem Means

A factory reset clears a Hue light so it can be added to the Philips Hue app again. Hue warns: “Factory resetting your Philips Hue lights will erase all personal settings and data,” so try troubleshooting first. Hue also says to reset lights before you return, sell or give them away.

Common Symptoms

  • A light still isn’t right after other troubleshooting
  • You’re returning, selling or giving away Hue lights
  • The light didn’t flash when you tried to reset it with a switch
  • You don’t have a Bridge, dimmer switch or Tap dial switch

Safe Checks You Can Try

1. Method 1: Use the serial number

In the Philips Hue app, go to Settings > Lights and tap the blue plus (+). Choose Use serial number, enter the six-character serial number, then tap the blue plus and Search.

The serial number is printed on the light or on a tag on its cord. It uses the digits 0-9 and the letters A-F, and Hue points out “there will never be a letter O in a serial number.”

Hue says: “The light will flash, indicating it’s been reset, and appear in the Philips Hue app.”

2. Method 2: Delete the light in the app

This method is for Bridge set-ups. Go to Settings > Lights, select the light, then “Tap Delete and follow the on-screen instructions.” Hue says: “This option can only be used when you already have the Philips Hue light in your app and it’s working without any issues.”

3. Method 3: Use a Hue dimmer switch

Power the light off and back on. Then, “within 30 minutes of it being powered off and back on”, hold the dimmer switch near the light and press and hold the top and bottom buttons together for at least 10 seconds. “Release the buttons after the light flashes.”

4. Method 4: Use a Tap dial switch

Power the light off and back on. Within 30 minutes, hold the Tap dial switch near the light and “press and hold the Setup button on the back of the switch for at least 10 seconds.” Release it when the light flashes.

5. Method 5: Bluetooth mode

If you don’t have a Bridge, dimmer switch or Tap dial switch, use Bluetooth mode. In the Philips Hue app, go to Settings > Lights > Add lights and add the light. Then go to Settings > Lights, select the light and tap Reset.

6. Reset before you pass lights on

Before you return, sell or give away Hue lights, Hue says to “make sure to factory reset them to protect your personal information.”

The five methods at a glance

Method What you need How
Serial number The Philips Hue app and the light’s six-character serial number Settings > Lights > blue plus (+) > Use serial number
Delete in the app A Bridge set-up, with the light already in the app and working Settings > Lights > select the light > Delete
Dimmer switch A Hue dimmer switch, within 30 minutes of powering the light off and on Hold the top and bottom buttons for at least 10 seconds
Tap dial switch A Tap dial switch, within 30 minutes of powering the light off and on Hold the Setup button on the back for at least 10 seconds
Bluetooth mode No Bridge, dimmer switch or Tap dial switch Add the light, then Settings > Lights > select it > Reset

When To Contact Support

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