This guide is for anyone whose Hue wall switch module isn’t controlling their lights. The module sits behind a wall switch, so any work on the mains wiring is for a qualified electrician with the power off at the consumer unit. The steps below are Hue’s own, from Hue’s in-wall switch module guide and product page.

What This Problem Means

The Hue wall switch module is a battery-powered module designed to fit in the electrical box behind your wall switch, so the switch can control your Hue lights through a Hue Bridge. Hue says it “Works with rocker, toggle and push-button switches”, and it is “Not compatible with switches with built-in dimmers or combined outlet/switch plates”.

Common Symptoms

• Pressing the wall switch doesn’t change your Hue lights
• The Philips Hue app shows a low battery alert for the module
• Your wall switch has a built-in dimmer
• The module blinked while it was being fitted

Safe Checks You Can Try

1. Check you have a Hue Bridge

Hue says a Hue Bridge “is required to be able to control your Hue lights with a Hue wall switch module”.

2. Check your wall switch type

Hue says the module “Works with rocker, toggle and push-button switches”. It is “Not compatible with switches with built-in dimmers or combined outlet/switch plates”.

3. Leave the wiring to an electrician

Hue says to “Always turn off the circuit breaker before any electrical work, including removing the switch”. Any work on the mains wiring behind the switch is a job for a qualified electrician with the power off at the consumer unit. Hue notes that “The module may blink if wires touch during installation”, and that this is normal.

4. Check for a low battery alert

The module runs on a CR2450 battery that Hue says lasts at least 5 years, and low battery alerts appear in the Philips Hue app. Changing the battery isn’t covered here: the module sits in the electrical box behind your wall switch, so if reaching it means taking the switch off the wall, leave that to a qualified electrician with the power off at the consumer unit.

5. Reset it in the app

In the Philips Hue app, navigate to the edit screen of the module and tap the Reset button.

6. Physical reset

Hue’s physical reset is “pressing the setup button for more than 10 seconds”. The module sits behind your wall switch, so if you can’t reach the setup button without taking the switch off the wall, leave this step to a qualified electrician with the power off at the consumer unit.

7. Delete it and add it again

Hue says: “Delete the device from the Hue Bridge, then add it again and set it up as usual.”

When To Contact Support

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