Philips Hue bulbs slow to respond via Google Home app

[amichie]

I'm struggling to properly fix a new problem I'm encountering with Google Home and Philips Hue.

I have a Google Nest Wi-Fi network along with many Philips Hue bulbs and a Philips Hue bridge. When I use the Philips Hue app to control my lights it works instantly, I think because it communicates directly with the bridge.

When I use the Google Home app or Google assistant voice commands, it's incredibly slow, I have to wait 10 seconds before something happens with the lights.

I have briefly fixed the problem twice. Once by reconnecting my Philips Hue account with my Google Home account after removing all the applications under my Philips Hue account and once by turning the Google Nest Wi-Fi and Philips Bridge on and off. However I've woken up in the morning to find the problem has reoccured.

This is a new problem, within the past month. I've had the network for over a year and never experienced this type of delay. I'm at a loss on what to try next to fix the problem.

[amichie]

Update: Simply restarting (power on/off) my Google Nest Wi-Fi network seems to fix the problem. I'll monitor when it reverts back to the delay problem to see what might have changed on the network.

[Mlabrador]

Hi hemdagem, 

Chiming in — what mobile device are you using? Could you try using another mobile device and see if the delay also happens on that device? 

Best, 

Nikki 

[hemdagem]

Hey,

Happens to me all the time. I have to restart network and then it's fine for a few days before it happens again. Very frustrating and been happening recently. Would love a more permanent fix. Not sure why it has started happening 

[charlzalan]

I have the same experience. Works fine for a few days. Then suddenly takes 10 seconds to respond. It's only my hue lights. I have a lamp connected to a smart switch in the living room, and it will never slow down. Turning on all of the lights in the living room will turn on the lamp first and then the hue lights ten seconds later.

Unplugging the wifi and plugging it back in fixes if for a few days before it inevitably happens again. 

[Azarco]

Hey folks,

We appreciate your efforts. Could you try doing these additional steps:

1. Open your browser and go to https://goo.gle/39dyQ10 then sign in with your Philips Hue account. 

2. Confirm that your Philips Hue account has been verified. (Did you receive an email from Philips Hue to click a link to verify account?) 

3. On the top left corner, click Bridge then delete or unlink the Bridge. 

4. On the top left corner again, click apps then delete or unlink apps. 

5. Reboot the physical Hue bridge. 

6. Go back to your browser, then add the Philips Hue bridge again. 

7. Start the relinking process in the Home Control section of the Google Home app. 

8. Lastly, talk to your Google Home and say "Hey Google, sync all devices". (You should hear your Google Home confirming that it's syncing Philips Hue devices.)

Thanks,

Alex

[charlzalan]

The link you're sharing takes me to an error page. It says "Oops there appears to be nothing here."

[Azarco]

Hi charlzalan,

Yikes! Could you try this link instead? Choose your country then, sign in your Philips Hue account.

Thanks,

Alex

[Azarco]

Hello there,

Are you able to sign in on your Philips Hue account using the corrected link above?

Regards,

Alex

[Azarco]

Hey charlzalan,

One quick final check in here since activity has slowed down. We'll be locking the thread in the next 24 hours, but if you still need assistance, feel free to start a new thread in the Community and we’ll be happy to help.

Best,

Alex

[hawkeyefan80]

Same setup, same problem starting about a month ago also. Have had this setup for several years and never had this issue until recently. Super annoying. 

[Muddi]

Hey amichie,

Thanks for updating the Community forum of your resolution — it's a big help! Please update the thread in case you noticed any issue on your Google Home/Nest device.

@hemdagem and @hawkeyefan80: To confirm, do you have other smart devices that do have the same issue when controlling via the Google Home app or voice commands?

Looking forward to your response.

Cheers,

Muddi

[hemdagem]

So what happens is on the Google home app it says "loading" for about 5 seconds then displays the lights. If I change brightness as an example it will take 3/4 seconds to do it. Same with using Google assistant. Now if I use Phillips hue app directly it's instant. I have noticed for me it's only for lights that's the issue. Only a reboot of nest wifi fixes it for a day or two. 

[Mlabrador]

Hi hemdagem, 

It's me again. Just wanted to see if you still need help? 

Best, 

Nikki 

[hemdagem]

It seems to have settled now. Hasn't happened in a while. Not sure if there was some software update. Also this happened on whatever device I used. It wasn't device specific.

[Mlabrador]

Hi hemdagem, 

Awesome. I'll keep this thread open for three more days for us to monitor. Thanks for the update. 

Best, 

Nikki 

[amichie]

Hi all, also not device specific. The Philips Hue app is absolutely fine but Google Home App on the phone and via voice command on Nest devices becomes extremely delayed.

It seems like I have to restart my Google Nest Wifi network every few days to stop this from happening to get instant responses.

It's the exact same situation as @hemdagem.

[Azarco]

Hi amichie,

Thanks for the update. Do you have any other smart lights that are connected to your Google Home app with the same issue? If you're using an Android phone, have you tried clearing the cache and data of your app? Also if you haven't, try rebooting your Philips Hue bridge as well. 

Regards,

Alex

[amichie]

I only have Philips Hue lights connected. I have Sonos speakers connected with the Google Home network which work fine day to day. 

I have an iPhone not an Android. 

Rebooting the Philips Hue doesn’t always fix it. Restarting my Google Nest Wi-Fi router fixes the problem every time. 

I’m not sure if it has something to do with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network. I have one Google Nest Wi-Fi router and two Good Nest Wi-Fi points in the house. I know the network automatically switches between 2.4 and 5 GHz.

I’m continuing to restart the network every few days to fix the problem. 

[Juni]

Hi there,

I just wanted to follow up to see if you still need our help. Please let us know as we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
 

Thanks,

Juni

[Juni]

Hi there,

I just wanted to follow up if you were able to try the steps provided. Please let us know as we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
 

Best,

Juni

[amichie]

Tried the steps and no success. I’ve replied separately to that particular message. 

[Azarco]

Hey amichie,

Thanks for letting us know . Have you tried reinstalling your Google Home and Philips Hue app? Also, resetting your speaker might help too.
 

Keep us posted.

Best,

Alex

[Craig8]

I've noticed it is incredibly slow on the Google home app and also on the nest hub. Definitely an issue with Google. As the hue app is instant. As is the Alexa echo! To the point I'm considering switching permanently to Alexa rather than ok Google 

[Azarco]

Hi Craig8,

We understand how you feel. Have you tried the suggested steps above? When did it start happening? Do you have other smart devices that has the same issue?

Thanks,

Alex

[Azarco]

Hello all,

It's us again. We don't want to be a nudge but we'd like to check if you still need help with your Google Home?

Regards,
Alex

[Azarco]

Hey everyone,

We want to ensure you are good to go, and everything is working properly. Please let us know if you are still having trouble, as we will be locking the thread in 24 hours due to inactivity. 

Best,

Alex