Philips Hue Secure Camera Not Recording? Here’s How to Fix It

Step-by-step fix guide | Philips Hue Secure

Try this first — Hue’s US FAQ says Philips Hue Secure cameras record when they detect motion, not all the time. If clips are missing, check your recording schedule: the FAQ says you can “Set schedules for active recording hours.”

This guide is for anyone whose Hue Secure camera, or Hue Secure wired video doorbell, isn’t saving the clips they expect. The steps come from Hue’s US FAQ on whether its cameras record all the time and Hue’s UK page on Secure plans.

What This Problem Means

Hue Secure cameras don’t record continuously. Hue says they “use AI-powered motion detection to start recording when movement occurs”, and “The video is stored safely in the Hue cloud.” How far back you can look depends on your Secure plan: without a plan, Hue includes 24 hours of video history; the Basic plan gives 30 days and the Plus plan 60 days.

Common Symptoms

  • You expected the camera to record all the time
  • Clips older than 24 hours are missing
  • The camera misses movement at some times of day
  • You don’t get instant motion notifications

Safe Checks You Can Try

1. Check how far back you’re looking

Hue says “The video is stored safely in the Hue cloud.” Without a Secure plan, Hue includes 24 hours of video history with all Hue Secure cameras, so look for clips from the last 24 hours. The Basic plan gives “30 days of video history” and the Plus plan “60 days of video history”.

2. Check your plan

Hue Secure cameras and the doorbell work without a plan, with 24-hour video history, live streaming and instant notifications. Hue says: “With a plan, the camera starts recording as soon as motion is detected”.

To subscribe to a plan, Hue says to “open the Hue app and go to Settings > Security > Plans.”

3. Check your Activity zones

With a Basic or Plus plan you can set Activity zones, so “your camera ignores background motion, like passing cars or blowing trees.” If you’ve set zones, check they cover the area you want the camera to watch.

4. Check your recording schedule

Hue lets you “Set schedules for active recording hours.” If you’ve set a schedule, check it covers the times you want recorded.

5. Motion notifications need a Hue Bridge

If the camera records but you don’t get alerts, check you have a Hue Bridge: on Hue’s plans page, instant motion notifications are marked “Hue Bridge required.”

Hue Secure plans and video history

Plan Video history What else Hue lists
No plan 24 hours Live streaming, light and sound alarms, instant notifications
Basic plan 30 days Activity zones and video clips, on up to two cameras
Plus plan 60 days Activity zones and video clips, on up to 10 cameras

Hue’s plans page marks light and sound alarms and instant motion notifications “Hue Bridge required”, and light and sound alarms also need Philips Hue lights.

When To Contact Support

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