Hue accessories pair through the Hue app to a Bridge, and some, like the dimmer switch, can also pair over Bluetooth. Add the accessory in the app under Settings, Accessories, choose it and follow the prompts, holding it close to the Bridge and pressing its setup button when asked. For the dimmer switch, the setup button is on the back near the battery compartment. Make sure the Bridge is online and updated, since the third light on the Bridge confirms it is on the latest software.
The checks in more detail
Insert a fresh battery of the correct type before pairing. If pairing fails, move the accessory closer to the Bridge, restart the Bridge, and check it is not already paired to another Bridge or the app; reset it using Hue's dimmer reset article, holding the setup button about ten seconds until the LED blinks orange. After pairing, name it, assign the room and configure buttons or motion settings.
If it will not appear, keep the phone on the same network as the Bridge, turn on Bluetooth for direct pairing and try again. A sensor should be paired in the room where it will live or close to the Bridge and then moved, since range matters. Test after setup and place away from metal. Pair one accessory at a time and label it in the app straight away. If pairing works on another phone, the first phone's permissions were the cause.
Pair when you are not rushed. Have a paperclip and a spare battery beside you before you start, since most pairing failures are cured by a reset or a fresh cell and it is annoying to hunt for either mid-setup. Pairing happens through the Bridge, so an accessory that paired but never works usually lost its link on the way, and moving it closer to the Bridge for the setup and away afterwards in small steps identifies the range limit.
Differential
Likely causes of “Hue accessories will not complete setup or pairing”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Out of range
What separates it Pairing fails because the accessory is too far from the Bridge when you try to add it
How to confirm Pair the accessory close to the Bridge, then move it to its final position afterwards
- 2
Already paired elsewhere
What separates it The accessory is not found because it is still paired to another Bridge or to a previous owner
How to confirm Factory reset the accessory so it forgets the old pairing, then add it again
- 3
A weak battery
What separates it Pairing drops part-way through because the battery in the accessory is weak
How to confirm Fit a fresh battery of the right type and start the pairing again from the beginning
- 4
A Bridge not updated
What separates it The accessory is not offered in the app because the Bridge software is out of date
How to confirm Update the Bridge first, then add the accessory again from Settings, Accessories
- 5
Bluetooth off
What separates it Direct pairing over Bluetooth fails because Bluetooth is switched off on the phone
How to confirm Turn Bluetooth on for the phone, then try the pairing again with the accessory close by
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The accessory you are adding and the battery it uses
- Whether the accessory was ever paired before
- The state of the Bridge and its lights
- The network that the phone is connected to
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the Bridge is online
ReversibleCheck the Bridge is online by looking at its third light, because accessories pair through the Bridge.
Fit a fresh battery
ReversibleFit a fresh battery of the right type, because a weak battery causes pairing to drop out part-way.
Add the accessory in the app
ReversibleAdd the accessory in the Hue app by opening Settings, Accessories and choosing the type you are adding.
Press the setup button
ReversiblePress the setup button when the app asks you to, holding it for the time shown until the LED responds.
Pair close to the Bridge
ReversiblePair close to the Bridge and then move the accessory to where it will be used, checking it still responds.
Reset if it was paired
ReversibleReset the accessory if it was paired before, holding the setup button for about ten seconds until the LED blinks.
Test after setup
ReversibleTest after setup by pressing a button or walking in front of the sensor and checking that the lights respond.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Dimmer
- Setup button on the back.
- Sensor
- Pair near the Bridge, then move it.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Hue dimmer switch v2.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If it will not pair after a factory reset, contact Philips Hue support
- !If the accessory is second-hand, factory reset it before you try to pair it
- !If the Bridge is the problem, fix it first
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Soft reset and factory reset.
Bridge lights and updates.
Reset steps for the Bridge and Bridge Pro.
Matter with and without a Bridge.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Where is the dimmer setup button?+
The dimmer's setup button is on the back of the switch, and you press it when the app asks.
How do I reset a dimmer?+
To reset a dimmer, hold the setup button for about ten seconds, until the LED blinks orange.
Do I pair near the Bridge?+
Yes, pair the accessory near the Bridge, since a strong signal makes the pairing more reliable.
Can I use Bluetooth?+
Some accessories can pair over Bluetooth, though pairing through a Bridge gives fuller features.
Why is it not found?+
An accessory is not found when it is out of range or was paired before and has not been reset.
Should I update the Bridge?+
Yes, update the Bridge before pairing, because an old Bridge may not offer the accessory or complete the pairing.
What is daylight threshold?+
The daylight threshold is a setting that stops the sensor turning lights on when the room is already bright.
Can I have several sensors in one room?+
Yes, you can use several sensors in one room, which helps to cover corners that one sensor cannot see.
Where should I place a motion sensor?+
Place it facing the area you want covered, away from heat sources and direct sun that could cause false triggers.