Hue updates the Bridge and lights through the Hue app: open Settings, Software update, and it shows whether the Bridge and lights are up to date and lets you turn on automatic updates. Hue's Bridge lights article notes the third light stays off when the Bridge is not on the latest software, and you may have to repeat the update. Philips Hue publishes release notes for the Bridge and the Bridge Pro, listing versions and changes, and Hueblog reports new Bridge software rolling out several times a year,
The checks in more detail
such as a January release for both the Bridge and Bridge Pro, so compare your version with the notes. Updates arrive gradually. If an update seems stuck, check the Bridge lights show it is online, restart the router, power cycle the Bridge and try again. Keep the Hue app up to date, since an old app may hide updates. Do not unplug the Bridge during an update. After an update some behavior can change, so check your scenes, sensors and integrations.
If the Bridge never updates on a good connection, contact Hue support with the model and version. Lights and accessories update separately, and a light updates only when it is powered and in range. Note the software version before and after each update so you can see whether it really changed. An update that fails once often succeeds after a restart and a short wait. Give updates a quiet moment rather than judging them at peak use.
Write the software version on a sticky note inside the Bridge shelf so that any later support call starts from a known number instead of a search through menus. If you have both a Bridge V2 and a Pro, update each from its own notes, since their versions are separate and a version for one is not for the other. Hue publishes release notes for both Bridges, and reading the note for your version tells you whether a fix you are waiting for has arrived, saving repeated update checks.
Differential
Likely causes of “Philips Hue Bridges firmware update is stuck or failed”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A Bridge not online
What separates it No update is offered because the Bridge is not online and cannot reach Hue's update servers
How to confirm Fix the network connection so that the Bridge shows online and the app can check for updates
- 2
An old app
What separates it No update appears in the app because the Hue app itself is out of date
How to confirm Update the Hue app from the app store, then look for the Bridge update again
- 3
A stalled update
What separates it The update seems stuck part-way and the lights on the Bridge have not changed for a long time
How to confirm Power cycle the Bridge by unplugging it for 30 seconds and retry the update
- 4
A staged rollout
What separates it No update is offered yet because Hue releases updates in stages to different homes over time
How to confirm Wait for the update to reach you, checking back after a day or two, rather than forcing anything
- 5
A light out of range
What separates it One light did not update because it was out of range or unplugged when the update ran
How to confirm Move it closer to the Bridge and power it on, then run the light update again
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The Bridge software version shown in the app
- Which lights on the Bridge are on
- The version of the Hue app on the phone
- The release notes for the latest Bridge version
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedOpen Software update
ReversibleOpen Software update in the Hue app under Settings, where it shows whether the Bridge and lights are up to date and offers automatic updates.
Update the Bridge
ReversibleUpdate the Bridge when offered and repeat the update if the app offers another, until it reports the software is up to date.
Check the third light
ReversibleCheck the third light on the Bridge, which stays off until the Bridge has its latest software and is connected to Hue's services.
Compare with release notes
ReversibleCompare the version with Hue's release notes to see whether you have the latest software, and what changed in it.
Restart the Bridge
ReversibleRestart the Bridge by unplugging it for 30 seconds if the update is stuck, then let it start and try the update again.
Update lights
ReversibleUpdate the lights next, making sure each one is powered and within range of the Bridge, since lights update separately.
Contact Hue
ReversibleContact Hue if the Bridge never updates, and tell them the software version and which lights are on.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Bridge and Pro
- Separate release notes.
- Lights
- Update separately.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Hue Bridge Pro.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the Bridge never updates on a good connection, contact Philips Hue support
- !If the update is stuck, power cycle the Bridge and try again before doing anything stronger
- !If lights will not update, check range and power
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Bridge lights and updates.
Bridge software history.
Bridge Pro software history.
Bridge Pro capacity and features.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Where do I update?+
Update the Bridge in the Hue app under Settings and then Software update, where you can also see the current version.
Can I automate updates?+
Yes, you can turn on automatic updates in the same Software update screen, so the Bridge keeps itself current.
Does Hue publish release notes?+
Yes, Hue publishes release notes that describe what changed in each Bridge software version.
Do lights update separately?+
Yes, lights update separately from the Bridge, so a light can be behind even when the Bridge is up to date.
How do I find the Bridge IP address?+
Look in your router's list of connected devices, or use a network scanner app, and find the device named Philips Hue.
What is Zigbee channel?+
The Zigbee channel is the radio channel the Bridge uses to talk to lights, and changing it can reduce interference from wifi.