How to Set Up Your Philips Hue Dimmer Switch

What You Will Need

• Philips Hue Dimmer Switch
• A Philips Hue Bridge (set up and connected to your router)
• A smartphone or tablet with the Philips Hue app installed
• The included mounting plate and screws (or adhesive strip)
• At least one Hue light already set up and assigned to a room

Step 1: Unbox the Dimmer Switch

The Hue Dimmer Switch consists of two parts: the remote control and the wall-mount backplate. The remote snaps magnetically onto the backplate, so you can mount it like a permanent switch on the wall but also detach it and use it as a portable remote. The battery (included) should already be installed.

Step 2: Add the Dimmer Switch to Your Bridge

1. Open the Philips Hue app.
2. Go to Settings, then Accessories.
3. Tap Add Accessory and select Hue Dimmer Switch.
4. The app will prompt you to press and hold the button on the back of the dimmer (there is a small setup button on the rear) for 3 seconds until the LED on the front blinks orange.
5. The app will discover and pair the switch.

Step 3: Assign the Switch to a Room

After pairing, the app will ask you which room the dimmer should control. Select the room containing the lights you want to operate with the switch. You can also assign specific lights within the room rather than controlling all of them.

Step 4: Understand the Button Layout

The Hue Dimmer Switch has four buttons. Here is what each one does by default:

• On (top button): Turns on the assigned lights at the last used brightness and scene. Pressing multiple times cycles through up to five preset scenes.
• Brighten (upper middle): Increases brightness each time you press it.
• Dim (lower middle): Decreases brightness each time you press it.
• Off (bottom button): Turns off the assigned lights.

Step 5: Customize Button Actions (Optional)

You can customize what each button does through the Hue app. Go to Settings, then Accessories, and tap the Dimmer Switch. For each button, you can configure:

• Which room or specific lights it controls
• Which scene to activate on the first press
• Which scenes to cycle through on subsequent presses
• Time-based behavior (different actions during day versus night)

Step 6: Mount the Switch

Choose one of two mounting methods:

1. Adhesive mount: Peel the backing off the adhesive strip on the backplate and press it firmly against the wall. Hold for 30 seconds. This method requires no drilling and works on most smooth wall surfaces.
2. Screw mount: Use the included screws to attach the backplate directly to the wall. This is more permanent and works well next to a doorway where the switch will be used frequently.

After mounting the backplate, snap the dimmer remote onto it. The magnetic connection holds it securely.

Step 7: Test All Functions

1. Press the On button. The lights should turn on.
2. Press On again. The scene should change.
3. Press Brighten several times. The lights should get brighter.
4. Press Dim several times. The lights should get dimmer.
5. Press Off. The lights should turn off.

Tips

• The Dimmer Switch uses a CR2450 battery that typically lasts about 3 years with normal use.
• Mount the switch next to your wall light switch so guests instinctively reach for it. This prevents them from turning off the wall switch and cutting power to your Hue bulbs.
• You can detach the remote from the backplate and carry it to the couch or bedside as a portable controller.
• The Dimmer Switch counts toward the 12-accessory limit on the Hue Bridge.
• If the switch stops responding, try removing and reinserting the battery to reset it, then re-pair in the app.