Philips Hue Sync Box Flashing Blue, White, or Yellow: What Does it Mean?

The Hue Sync Box is an incredible addition to any Philips Hue setup, allowing you to sync your lights with your music and TV output to create an awesome entertainment area.

When you first set up the Hue Sync Box, this is generally a hassle-free experience. However, when you try changing networks or moving home, reconnecting can sometimes throw a spanner in the works with error lights.

In this guide, I’ll share what the different lights on the Hue Sync Box mean and what to do in each situation,

What Do The Lights Mean?

There are three coloured light indicators on a Hue Sync Box, here is what each colour means:

• Flashing Blue – Waiting for Connection.
• Flashing Yellow – Wi-Fi error.
• Flashing White – Lights are syncing.
• Solid White – Connected.

You’ll also briefly come across a green light during the setup process but it never remains on this colour for long. Below is some more information about what to do when you see each light.

How to Fix Hue Sync Box Flashing Blue

If the LED indicator on your Hue Sync Box is flashing blue, this means it’s turned on and ready to be connected. This is the first colour you’ll see when you plug in the box for the first time.

To resolve this, you’ll need to download the Hue app and go through the setup process. For more details on how to do this, I have a full guide to setting up your Hue Sync Box.

How to Fix Hue Sync Box Flashing Yellow

If you come across a flashing yellow light, this means there is a Wi-Fi error. This usually happens when the Hue Sync Box is trying to connect to a Wi-Fi network that is inaccessible.

The standard way to fix this is to reset the Hue Sync Box. To do this, hold the button on the front for 30 seconds. You will then need to go through any previous setup steps again.

If this doesn’t work, a Philips hue forum caught my attention as someone had worked out how to do a hard reset for the sync box, this is another approach you can try:

1. Unplug the Sync Box and leave it unplugged for 20 seconds.
2. Hold the button on the box while you plug it back in and continue to hold the button until you see a purple light.
3. You can now attempt to re-sync the box to the bridge.

Philips Hue Sync Box Solid or Flashing White

If your Hue Sync Box is displaying a white light, either flashing or solid, then you don’t have anything to worry about.

Solid white indicates that the box is connected and ready to go, flashing white indicates that the lights are syncing.

You should now be able to use your sync box. If you’re having difficulties, ensure all of the lights are connected within the app or attempt some of the fixes outlined below.

Other Hue Sync Box Issues and Fixes

If you’re having other issues with your Hue Sync Box such as the lights not syncing or the Sync Box losing connection to your Hue Bridge, here are a few additional steps to try:

1. Ensure you are feeding the HDMI signal into the box via the input AND out again via the output. If you attempt to feed it in via an additional HDMI without having an output, it will not work.

2. Ensure you are not using HDMI 2.1 devices as the sync box is not compatible with these. It currently only supports HDMI 2.0. However, I do expect some sort of update in the future as more devices like next-generation consoles will be using this.

3. Try to disable the 5Ghz band on your Wi-Fi. The Hue Sync Box works over 2.4Ghz and whilst this will usually work correctly, sometimes having multiple frequency bands can confuse the device.