If you are looking at investing in a Hue bridge and bulbs then common questions we here are to what happens if there is a power cut or the internet goes down.
The answer is yes. The bridge works as a standalone device and does not require the internet to work. The app on your phone works with your wireless network and not over the internet, the same goes for all the bulbs too which uses the ZigBee Light Link (ZLL) protocol.
Although the internet is not required, the bridge must be connected to a wireless router, this is because the hue bridge does not have wifi, the wifi allows your smart phone or tablet to connect to the bridge using Wifi. The bulbs themselves use ZigBee.
You do need a connection to the internet to:
The bulbs and bridge all require power and if there is a power cut in your home then just like with normal bulbs they will stop working. Once power is restored the hue bulbs will all come back on and illuminate in a white light state unless a different option is selected with the Hue app settings, where you can select last state or a specific color.
Your Hue bridge must be connected to a wireless router to allow communication with your wireless phone and tablet where you can control the bulbs. The Hue bridge must be connected to the wireless router using an Ethernet cable that goes from the bridge and connects to the wireless router. It does not matter if the wireless router is connected to the internet or not. If you do not have a wireless router then something like the TP-Link N300 Wireless Wi-Fi Router would be ideal.
If you don’t have a Hue bridge, or wifi then you can use the Hue Bluetooth bulbs, these connect via your Phone and can be controlled by the Hue app.
The Hue dimmer and switches work using Zigbee of wifi and do not require the internet to work or be used.
Mike is the founder of Hue Home Lighting, a huge Hue fan with far too many lights, covering home and garden. A smart home gadget addict and also enjoys the odd bit of DIY
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