Support

Performance

Why is it taking so long for my hue lights to respond?

There are multiple ways for your app to control the hue system. The hue API is a RESTful interface, which can be accessed by many languages. In addition, we provide SDKs for IOS, OSX, Java multi-platform and Android. Third party developers have created a number of other tools and SDKs for different languages. Refer to hue API documentation, IOS and OSX SDK, Java multi-platform and Android SDK, list of third party SDKs and tools

Why are only some of my lights responding to my app?

When you set the light state, and update color, brightness etc., the light will not respond immediately because by default there is a transition time to the new state of 400 milliseconds. If you want the light to respond quickly to a state change, set the transition time in the light state to zero milliseconds.

Why is the bridge response so slow?

All the lights have to be in range. If you can control them from the hue app then you’re fine to play with them via the developer interface. Remember all lights act as a signal repeater, so if you want more range, put a light in between.

How many commands you can send per second?

You can send commands to the lights too fast. If you stay roughly around 10 commands per second to the /lights resource as maximum you should be fine. For /groups commands you should keep to a maximum of 1 per second.

Color and State

How do I set color?

For more info on setting color, see our section on Color Theory.

Tools and commands

What tools can I use to build my app?

There are multiple ways for your app to control the hue system. The hue API is a RESTful interface, which can be accessed by many languages. In addition, we provide SDKs for IOS, OSX, Java multi-platform and Android. Third party developers have created a number of other tools and SDKs for different languages. Refer to hue API documentation, IOS and OSX SDK, Java multi-platform and Android SDK, list of third party SDKs and tools.

Where is the API located?

The hue API in the bridge is accessible on your local network. That is to say, it is accessible on your local WiFi or wired network and cannot be accessed directly outside that network. This also makes your hue system secure. The hue bridge, once installed on your network, will have its own IP address set up by your local router. This is the IP address you will use when sending commands to the RESTful API.

Contact us

For problems or consumer questions about the use or operation of the Philips hue system, please go to meethue support.

Meethue has a general help section that will help you to tackle all issues with your Philips Hue setup. To find their contact details, click “support” in the menu and choose “contact” in the submenu.

For questions related to developing software for Philips Hue, please check ways below first.

Please, also consider posting any other technical questions in the  Hue Developers forum and Stack Overflow

For all other questions, please contact us using the below form.
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