A faulty software update appears to be causing major headaches for some Philips Hue users. Reports suggest that the latest firmware for the Hue Bridge Pro is rendering hubs unusable. As a result, it is taking entire smart lighting systems offline in the process.
According to multiple user reports highlighted by HueBlog and discussions on Reddit, firmware version 2071353020 is at the centre of the issue. While the update doesn’t appear to affect every Bridge Pro owner, those who have encountered the bug are finding their hubs effectively bricked after installation.
The Philips Hue Bridge is the brains of any Hue setup. It manages connected lights, switches, sensors, and automations throughout the home. The newer Bridge Pro, launched last year, brought a welcome performance boost with faster processing. Additionally, it increased device capacity, and room for more advanced features. But that also means a failed hub can bring an entire smart home lighting system to a standstill.
Affected users report that, after installing the update, the status LEDs on the Bridge Pro turn red and the hub becomes unresponsive. More concerning is that a factory reset doesn’t appear to solve the problem. This leaves owners with little option beyond contacting Philips Hue support in the hope of receiving a replacement unit.
Unfortunately, replacing the hardware isn’t the end of the story. Unless users have recent backups available, setting up a new Bridge can mean pairing every light, accessory, and automation again from scratch. This is a time-consuming process. In particular, it is difficult for anyone with a larger Hue installation.
At the moment, the problem appears to be limited to the Bridge Pro rather than the standard Hue Bridge. It’s still unclear exactly how widespread the issue is. The randomness of the failures has made it difficult to predict which hubs are at risk. Some users update successfully while others lose their entire setup.
Until Philips Hue releases a fix, Bridge Pro owners who haven’t yet installed the firmware may want to disable automatic updates as a precaution. That option can be found in the Hue app under Settings > Software update > Automatic updates.
While firmware updates normally bring bug fixes and new features, this incident is a reminder that even mature smart home platforms can occasionally stumble. For now, Bridge Pro users may want to hold off on updating until Signify confirms it has resolved the issue.
