The best part of using Alexa is…
Being able to control smart devices with just your voice.
However, you’re unable to link your Hue Bridge and lights to Alexa.
So, you can’t fully enjoy the hands-free smart home experience.
You’re in luck, though. Because I’ll help you fix this problem.
Keep reading to find out:
- 7 quick fixes to try if you’re unable to link Hue with Alexa.
- How to properly connect your Hue smart devices to your voice assistant.
- The most common reasons your Hue can’t link with the Alexa application.
- And this is just the beginning…
Why is my Hue unable to link with Alexa?
Your Hue is unable to link with Alexa because you may have set them up incorrectly. This problem also happens if your Hue Bridge isn’t connected to your router. Moreover, Hue devices may reject connecting to an outdated Alexa app. A glitchy smart hub also causes this issue.
Unable to link Hue with Alexa: 7 fixes
#1: Do the setup process correctly
Before proceeding to the fixes below…
Ensure you follow the correct steps for linking your Hue to Alexa.
Because honestly…
Linking these 2 platforms isn’t a process that’s too beginner-friendly.
See, you must set up your Hue Bridge with its smart devices first.
And only then can you connect it to the Amazon Alexa app.
Unfortunately, some people skip this step entirely.
They try to connect the Hue Bridge to Alexa without setting it up first. Completely bypassing the Hue Alexa Skill.
As a result, the 2 platforms don’t link properly.
That said, just spend several minutes of your time to…
Properly link Hue with Alexa:
Step 1: Plug your Hue Bridge into an outlet
Connect your Hue’s power cable to your smart home hub.
Then, plug the adaptor into a functional outlet near your router.
Once your smart home hub lights up…
Step 2: Connect your Hue Bridge to your router
Grab the ethernet cable that came with your Hue box.
After that, plug 1 end into your hub.
And insert the other connector into your router.
Now, wait 3 minutes so your Hue Bridge can connect to the Internet.
Then, proceed to…
Step 3: Install the Philips Hue mobile app
Here’s the application’s download link (iOS/Android).
Note: Ensure your mobile device is connected to your WiFi router.
Step 4: Set up your Hue Bridge
- Launch the Philips Hue app.
- Let the application detect your Hue Bridge.
- Tap Set Up at the bottom of your screen.
- Press your hub’s push-link button.
- Update your Hue Bridge if necessary.
- Follow further instructions.
Now, your hub is fully set up. So, it’s time to…
Step 5: Connect your Hue lights to the Bridge
On your Philips Hue app, tap the Add light button.
Then, simply follow the instructions on your screen.
Once you’ve connected all your Hue lights to the app…
Step 6: Link your Hue Bridge to Alexa
- Launch the Amazon Alexa app (iOS/Android).
- Tap the Devices icon at the bottom of your screen.
- Click the + icon at the top-right portion of the app.
- Select Add Device.
- Tap the Philips hue tile at the top.
- Select “NO.”
- Choose the version of your hub.
- Touch the CONTINUE button.
- Click the ENABLE TO USE option.
- Continue following the prompts on your screen.
Step 7: Try controlling your Hue lights through Alexa
Take note of the names of the rooms (grouped lights) or specific smart bulbs on your Hue app.
Then, simply say something like:
“Alexa, turn ON the (Hue room/light name).”
Need a visual guide for this process?
Watch this video:
Now, if you still can’t make your voice assistant control your Hue devices, proceed to…
#2: Power cycle your Hue Bridge
Like its name suggests…
The Hue Bridge is the bridge between the Alexa app and your smart lights.
So, if it glitches…
The connection between your voice assistant and your bulbs won’t work.
But don’t worry. You only need 3 minutes to fix a glitchy Hue Bridge.
Power cycling is the key to this process.
In other words…
You just have to unplug your smart hub before plugging it in again.
A very simple solution, right?
But trust me. It’s 1 of the most effective solutions in the tech world.
So, just follow these…
Steps to power cycle your Hue Bridge:
- Unplug your hub from the outlet.
- Wait for 1 minute.
- Reconnect your Hue Bridge to its power source.
- Now, wait another minute so your hub can fully load.
Then, try controlling your Hue lights through Alexa again.
#3: Reconnect your smart hub to your router
You’ve most likely noticed that you didn’t connect your lights to the WiFi.
Well, here’s why:
Your Hue Bridge is in charge of connecting to the Internet. Through the ethernet cable you used earlier.
And this device communicates to its lights through ZigBee.
Which is also a wireless protocol like Bluetooth or WiFi.
Now, if this ethernet cable is loose or unplugged…
Your Hue Bridge can’t stay online.
So, it won’t have any means to relay Alexa’s commands to the smart lights.
On that note…
Follow these steps to reconnect your Hue Bridge to your router:
- Locate the ethernet cable connected to your smart hub.
- Disconnect it from your Hue Bridge.
- Unplug the other end from your router.
- Insert both connectors into their designated ports again.
- Double-check that you’ve fully plugged the ethernet cable on both ends.
- Wait 1 minute so your Hue Bridge can refresh its connection.
Still can’t make your Hue lights turn ON with Alexa?
Go ahead and…
#4: Update the Amazon Alexa app
Think of the Amazon app as your Alexa’s organizing folder.
If it’s glitching…
Your AI will be over the place. Forgetting a feature, or 2. Or miscommunicating with other devices.
Fortunately, Alexa’s developers always come up with a way to prevent glitches and bugs.
And they deliver the solution to you through software updates.
Now, most of the time…
Mobile applications update automatically.
But they may not do so if you’ve turned OFF this feature. Or if your Internet connection is too slow.
So, you should…
Manually update your Amazon Alexa app:
iOS
- Turn ON your iPhone.
- Open the App Store.
- Tap the Search icon at the bottom of your screen.
- Search “Amazon Alexa.”
- Click the official app from the results.
- Touch the UPDATE button below your app’s name.
- Follow the instructions on your screen.
Note: If you can’t see the UPDATE button, your Alexa app is already updated. So proceed to the next solution.
Android
- Open the Google Play app on your phone/tablet.
- Tap your profile at the upper-right portion of your screen.
- Choose Manage apps and device.
- Find the Updates available option.
- Click the See details text.
- Locate the Amazon Alexa app from the list.
- Tap Update.
- Follow further instructions.
Note: If the Alexa app doesn’t appear in step 6, it’s already up to date.
You might also want to know: How To Get Alexa To Turn On Multiple Lights at Once
#5: Reinstall the Alexa application
Sometimes, an app stores extremely stubborn bugs and glitches.
That to get rid of them…
You must delete the app and reinstall it again.
After all, when you uninstall an application…
You remove all of its files from your device. All the bugs and glitches included.
Now, fret not.
Reinstalling an app won’t take you longer than 5 minutes to do.
So, just prepare your mobile device.
Then, follow these…
Simple steps to reinstall your Alexa app:
iOS
Step 1: Turn ON your iPhone.
Step 2: Locate the Amazon Alexa app on your home screen.
Step 3: Press and hold its icon.
Step 4: From the small pop-up window, tap Remove App.
Step 5: Choose Delete App.
Step 6: Select Delete to confirm.
Now that you’ve deleted the app, it’s time to reinstall it.
Step 7: Launch the App Store.
Step 8: Click your profile icon at the top.
Step 9: Tap Purchased.
Step 10: Touch the Not on this iPhone tab.
Step 11: Find the Amazon Alexa app.
Step 12: Tap the cloud icon on its right side.
Step 13: Wait for your application to download fully.
Android
Step 1: Launch your mobile device’s Settings.
Step 2: Select Apps from the options.
Step 3: Choose Amazon Alexa.
Step 4: Click Uninstall.
Step 5: Go to your phone/tablet’s home screen.
Step 6: Open the Play Store application.
Step 7: Search “Amazon Alexa.”
Step 8: Tap the app’s name.
Step 9: Click the INSTALL button.
Step 10: Follow the instructions on your screen.
Step 11: Wait for the Amazon Alexa app to be installed.
Once you’ve reinstalled the application…
#6: Re-enable the Alexa Skill
Let’s refresh the connection between your hub and Alexa.
How?
By disabling and re-enabling the Hue Skill you enabled earlier.
Like always…
This fix doesn’t require you to be too tech-savvy.
So, just ensure your mobile device is connected to the Internet.
Then, follow these steps to…
Re-enable your Alexa’s Hue Skill:
- Launch the Amazon Alexa app.
- Tap Menu at the bottom-right corner.
- Select Skills and games from the list.
- Click the “Your Skills” tab at the top.
- Scroll down and choose the Hue Skill from the list.
- Tap the DISABLE SKILL button.
- Confirm the action by clicking DISABLE.
- Wait for 15 seconds.
- Click the ENABLE TO USE option.
Now, try turning your Hue lights ON/OFF through voice commands again.
Read next: 5 Ways To Sync Smart Lights To Music (Updated)
#7: Factory reset your Hue Bridge
The problem may be rooted in your Hue setup.
Specifically, the connection between your hub and its smart lights.
So, let’s conduct a factory reset to reconnect them from scratch.
This process deletes all data and information stored in your Hue Bridge.
Hence, you’ll have to set it up from scratch later.
But don’t worry.
I’ve written all the necessary steps to set up your Hue Bridge in the 1st fix.
So, you won’t have any problems doing so later.
That said, simply follow these…
Simple steps to factory reset your Hue Bridge:
Step 1: Launch your Philips Hue app.
Step 2: Tap the Settings icon at the bottom-right corner.
Step 3: Click the Hue Bridges tab.
Step 4: Delete your current hub from your account.
Step 5: Grab your Hue Bridge device.
Step 6: Flip it over.
Step 7: Find the hole beside the text that says “reset factory settings.”
Step 8: Grab a paper clip or a toothpick.
Step 9: Insert the pointy object into the hole.
Step 10: Wait for the 3 lights in front of your device to stop flashing.
After following these steps…
Repeat the first solution above. Then, test your Hue lights again.