Bridge controller loses Philips Hue lamps due to faulty firmware update

Philips warns not to install the latest firmware update for its Hue LED lamps on the corresponding Hue Bridge. Due to the bug, the Hue Bridge controller will ‘lose’ the lamps and settings may be lost. There is a workaround for affected users.

Via Twitter warns Philips that the latest firmware update for its Hue lamps should not be installed. A Hue owner receives a request for the update via the accompanying tablet or smartphone app, but Philips advises users to ignore that notification. There is a risk that the central Hue Bridge controller, which controls the LED lamps wirelessly via the Zigbee Light Link protocol, can no longer find the lamps. In addition, user settings such as scenes may be lost.

Philips has posted a temporary workaround on the Meethue website that describes how Hue owners who have installed the update can ‘find’ the LED lamps again. The fix is ​​cumbersome: the user has to manually enter serial numbers of all lamps. Furthermore, users who receive the notification of a firmware update are requested to ignore it and turn off the Bridge controller for 30 seconds and then restart it.

It is not yet clear when Philips will offer a properly working firmware update. The manufacturer has already taken the faulty firmware offline.