A Philips Hue Dimmer Switch v2 does not keep a clock and has no status display, so a wrong time or status shows up in the lights or the routines it works with, and the cause sits in the Hue Bridge's time or in the app's time zone. The bridge keeps the time for routines, schedules and Go to Sleep and Wake up with Light functions, taking it from the internet, and it needs the right time zone set in the Hue app under Settings, Hue Bridges.
The checks in more detail
If the bridge is offline or its time zone is wrong, routines run at the wrong hour and the dimmer's scene cycle, which uses time-of-day scenes, picks the wrong scene. Check the time zone in the bridge settings and daylight saving, and confirm that the bridge shows as connected to the internet. The dimmer's buttons can be set to a time-based behavior, where the first press gives a scene suited to the time of day, such as bright in the morning and warm in the evening.
If the wrong scene appears, open Accessories in the app, choose the dimmer and review the scenes allotted to each time period, then edit the periods. A status that seems stale, for example an app that shows a light on when it is off, can be caused by the bridge lagging or a Zigbee link that is weak. Press a button on the dimmer and watch whether the app updates. Check the bridge's connection.
A bridge plugged in through a loose cable or an overloaded router loses its time sync. Restart the bridge by unplugging for ten seconds. Check the dimmer's battery, since a weak one sends commands late. If you changed time zones, the bridge may need to be re-set in the app. Make sure the app and bridge firmware are current. If the wrong time persists, remove the routine and create it again. Contact Philips Hue support with your bridge ID if the bridge cannot hold the correct time.
Differential
Likely causes of “Hue dimmer switch v2 shows the wrong time, state or sensor reading”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A wrong bridge time zone
What separates it Routines run at the wrong hour
How to confirm Set the time zone in Hue Bridge settings
- 2
The bridge offline
What separates it Time does not sync
How to confirm Check its cable and the router
- 3
Time-based scenes on the dimmer
What separates it The wrong scene appears
How to confirm Edit the time periods in Accessories
- 4
A weak Zigbee link
What separates it Status is stale or late
How to confirm Move the dimmer or add a bridge-linked light between
- 5
A low battery
What separates it Commands arrive late
How to confirm Replace the battery
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- When the problem began and what changed
- Any message in the app
- Whether other devices at home work
- The model and serial number
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedCheck the bridge time zone
ReversibleIn the Hue app.
Confirm the bridge is online
ReversibleCable and router.
Review the dimmer's scenes
ReversibleIn Accessories.
Restart the bridge
ReversibleUnplug for ten seconds.
Replace the battery
ReversibleIf presses lag.
Contact Hue support
ReversibleIf time stays wrong.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Bridge clock
- It comes from the internet.
- Time-based scenes
- They change with the hour.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the steps do not clear it, contact the maker with the model and serial number
- !Check the warranty before a repair
- !Keep the app and the device firmware updated
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Does the dimmer keep time?+
No, the bridge does.
Why do routines run at the wrong time?+
The bridge time zone.
Can the dimmer pick scenes by time?+
Yes.
Does a weak battery matter?+
Yes.