Choose the right Philips Hue starter kit, set up the Bridge and color bulbs, control your lights from your phone, and sync them with videos or music on your computer.
Tutorial ForgeUpdated Aug 9, 2026
Philips Hue lights can change the mood of a room from your phone. With a Hue Bridge and color-capable bulbs, you can also make the lights react to videos, games, and music playing on your computer.
This tutorial walks you through buying the correct equipment, installing the bulbs, connecting the Hue Bridge, controlling everything from the Philips Hue app, and setting up the Hue Sync desktop app.
What You'll Learn
In this tutorial you'll learn how to:
- Choose Hue bulbs that support full color
- Connect a Hue Bridge or Hue Bridge Pro
- Add and organize lights in the Philips Hue app
- Control brightness, color, and scenes from your phone
- Create an Entertainment area
- Sync lights with a YouTube video or other computer content
- Use audio-only syncing for music
By the end of this tutorial, your Hue lights will be ready for everyday phone control and computer-based entertainment syncing.
Before You Buy
Hue bulbs are sold in several versions. For this tutorial, the bulbs must say **White and Color Ambiance** or otherwise clearly state that they are **color-capable**.
Color Bulbs Are Required for Color Sync
Do not buy bulbs labeled only **White** or **White Ambiance** if you want the lights to match colors from a video. White-only bulbs can turn on, dim, or change white tone, but they cannot reproduce the full colors shown on the screen.
The linked starter kit includes:
- One Hue Bridge Pro smart hub
- Four A19 bulbs with an E26 base
- White and Color Ambiance lighting
- Up to 1100 lumens per bulb
Before ordering, confirm that **A19/E26** bulbs fit the lamps or fixtures where you plan to use them. Prices and package contents can change, so read the current listing before purchasing.
Buy One Hub, Then Add Color Bulbs
You need one Hue Bridge or Hue Bridge Pro for the Hue Sync setup in this tutorial. You do not need to buy another Bridge every time you add a light.
After the first starter kit is installed, expand the same Hue system by purchasing additional Philips Hue **White and Color Ambiance** bulbs or other color-capable Hue lights. Add those lights to your existing Bridge in the Hue app.
The standard Hue Bridge supports up to 50 lights, while the Hue Bridge Pro supports more than 150 lights. Most homes only need one hub.
If you do not need the larger capacity of the Bridge Pro, Amazon also offers a starter kit with the standard Hue Bridge and four 1100-lumen A19/E26 White and Color Ambiance bulbs. The standard Bridge supports up to 50 lights, which is enough for many homes and still supports the Hue Sync setup in this tutorial.
The same type of starter kit is also available through Best Buy. Its current listing includes one Hue Bridge Pro and four 1100-lumen A19/E26 White and Color Ambiance bulbs.
- A Hue Bridge or Hue Bridge Pro
- At least one Philips Hue color-capable light
- A lamp or fixture that accepts the bulb size you purchased
- A smartphone or tablet
- The Philips Hue app for iPhone, iPad, or Android
- Your home network name and password
- A Windows PC or Mac for the Hue Sync desktop app
- A video, game, or music source playing on that computer
Place Lights Near the Screen
For the strongest effect, place color lights beside or behind the monitor and aim their light toward a wall. Reflected light is usually more comfortable and immersive than looking directly at a bright bulb.
Step 1 — Install the Color Bulbs
01
Install and Power On the Bulbs
Turn the lamp or fixture off and allow the old bulb to cool before removing it.
Install the Hue color bulb, then turn the fixture back on. Leave the wall switch or lamp switch on so the Hue system can reach the bulb.
Repeat this process for each bulb you want to add.
Use a Compatible Fixture
Follow the lamp or fixture manufacturer's safety instructions. Confirm the bulb base, voltage, wattage limits, and fixture type are compatible before installation.
Step 2 — Connect the Hue Bridge
02
Connect the Smart Hub
Connect the Bridge to power.
For a standard Hue Bridge, connect the included Ethernet cable between the Bridge and an available LAN port on your router. A Hue Bridge Pro can also be set up over Wi-Fi, although Philips Hue recommends Ethernet for the most reliable connection.
Wait for the Bridge indicators to show that it is ready. Keep your phone connected to the same home network during setup.
Step 3 — Set Up the Philips Hue App
03
Add the Bridge to Your Phone
Download and open the **Philips Hue** app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Follow the on-screen instructions to create or sign in to your Hue account and set up a new Hue system. Allow local-network and Bluetooth access when prompted so the app can discover nearby Hue equipment.
Select your Bridge when the app finds it. If prompted, press the large button on the Bridge to authorize the connection.
In the Hue app, follow the prompt to add lights. Keep every new bulb powered on while the app searches.
If a bulb is not found automatically, use the app's option to add it by serial number. The serial number is printed on the bulb, so it is helpful to photograph or write down the numbers before installing bulbs in hard-to-reach fixtures.
Give each light a clear name, such as **Monitor Left**, **Monitor Right**, **Desk Lamp**, or **Floor Lamp**. Add the lights to a Room that describes their location.
Step 5 — Control the Lights from Your Phone
05
Try Everyday Lighting Controls
Open the Room you created in the Hue app and practice the basic controls:
- Turn the Room or individual lights on and off
- Drag the brightness control to dim or brighten the lights
- Select a color for one light or the entire Room
- Try a preset from the Hue scene gallery
- Create and save a custom scene
The Hue Bridge stores your settings and unlocks features such as automations and away-from-home control.
Step 6 — Create an Entertainment Area
06
Tell Hue Where the Lights Are
The Hue Sync desktop app uses an **Entertainment area** to understand which lights surround your screen.
In the Philips Hue mobile app, open **Settings**, find **Entertainment areas**, and create a new area. Select the Room and the color-capable lights you want to use.
Drag each light to match its real position around your screen, then set its height when the app asks. Accurate placement helps screen colors appear on the correct side of the room.
Save the Entertainment area before continuing.
Step 7 — Install the Hue Sync Desktop App
07
Connect Your Computer to Hue
On the Windows PC or Mac that will play your video, game, or music, download and install the **Hue Sync desktop app**.
Make sure the computer is on the same home network as the Hue Bridge. Open Hue Sync, connect it to your Hue system, and approve the connection by pressing the Bridge button if requested.
Choose the Entertainment area you created in the mobile app.
The desktop app reacts to media playing on the computer where Hue Sync is installed. It is different from syncing a television directly, which may require compatible TV software or additional Hue hardware.
Step 8 — Sync the Lights with a YouTube Video
08
Try Video Sync
Open a colorful YouTube video on the same computer running Hue Sync.
In the Hue Sync desktop app:
1. Select **Video** mode.
2. Choose an intensity level. Start with a lower setting if you are sensitive to rapid light changes.
3. Adjust the brightness to a comfortable level.
4. Start syncing, then play the video.
Your selected Hue lights should change color and brightness to complement the picture on the computer screen.
Some Protected Video May Not Sync
Some streaming services and protected video content can restrict screen capture, which may prevent visual syncing. If a service does not work, test with an ordinary YouTube video or a local, non-protected video file.
Step 9 — Use Audio-Only Sync
09
Make the Lights React to Music
Play music, a music video, or another audio source on the computer.
In Hue Sync, switch to **Music** mode. Choose a color palette and intensity, then start syncing.
The lights will react to the computer's audio rather than matching the colors on the screen. This is useful for music, parties, or videos where you want rhythmic lighting without screen-color matching.
Troubleshooting
The app cannot find the Bridge
- Confirm the Bridge has power.
- Confirm the phone is connected to the same home network.
- Check the Ethernet connection if you use a standard Bridge.
- Temporarily disable a phone VPN if it blocks local-network discovery.
- Restart the Hue app, Bridge, and router before considering a factory reset.
The app cannot find a bulb
- Confirm the lamp or fixture is switched on.
- Move the bulb closer to another powered Hue light or the Bridge during setup.
- Search again, then enter the bulb's serial number if needed.
The lights do not appear in Hue Sync
- Confirm the bulbs are color-capable.
- Confirm the lights were added to an Entertainment area.
- Confirm the computer and Bridge are on the same network.
- Close another Hue entertainment session that may already be using the same lights.
The lights react too strongly
- Reduce the brightness in Hue Sync.
- Choose a lower intensity.
- Move lights behind the monitor so their light reflects off the wall.
- Avoid rapid effects if they cause discomfort.
Setup Review Checklist
Your Hue Entertainment Setup Is Ready!
You can now control your Hue lights from your phone, set colors and scenes for everyday use, and make your color-capable lights react to videos or music on your computer.
Experiment with light placement, brightness, intensity, and music palettes until the effect feels comfortable in your room.
Helpful Links
- [Philips Hue app](https://www.philips-hue.com/en-us/explore-hue/apps/bridge)
- [Hue Bridge setup guidance](https://www.philips-hue.com/en-us/explore-hue/faq/controls/how-to-connect-hue-bridge-to-wifi)
- [Hue Sync desktop app support and download](https://www.philips-hue.com/en-us/support/topic/sync-desktop-app/100064)
- [Philips Hue starter kit on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Hue-Starter-Kit-SmartThings/dp/B0FMH9ZD85/)
- [Philips Hue standard Bridge starter kit on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Hue-Compatible-Assistant-Ambiance/dp/B09BSHFLD9/?th=1)
- [Philips Hue starter kit at Best Buy](https://www.bestbuy.com/product/philips-hue-wca-1100-lumen-a19-e26-4-kit-v3/J7GHXKQ5JL/sku/11471280)