Question 1

What does the LED indicator on the Secure contact sensor mean?

Accepted Answer

The LED around the button on the contact sensor uses different colors and patterns to inform you of various statuses:

Red/green/orange loop: Contact sensor has been reset
Steady red light: Critically low battery
Red light that stays on for 2 seconds: Can't connect to Bridge
Green light that blinks once: Contact sensor closed
Green light that blinks twice: Contact sensor opened
Green light that stays on for 2 seconds: Bridge found
Orange light that blinks once: Searching for your Bridge or the back plate removed
Orange light that stays on for 20 seconds: Updating firmware

Question 2

Can I use the Secure contact sensor for security-related purposes as well as light control?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Secure contact sensor can be used to send security-related notifications, as well as to control your smart lights.

Question 3

How do I reset the Secure contact sensor?

Accepted Answer

To reset the Secure contact sensor:

Remove the back plate.
Press and hold the reset button on the back of the sensor for 10 seconds.
When the LED indicator on the contact sensor cycles through red, green, and orange, it's reset.

Question 4

How should I position my Secure contact sensor?

Accepted Answer

For the best results, place the magnet (the smaller part) on the part that moves, such as a door. Place the sensor itself on the part that doesn't move, such as a door frame. Make sure both parts of the sensor are out of reach of children.

The magnet can be placed to the left, right, or on top of the sensor, but it should always face the glossy section. Try to avoid steel surfaces and strong magnets, such as those found in speakers, as they can affect the sensor's performance. Finally, make sure there's enough space to easily replace the battery in the sensor if necessary.

Question 5

How close does the Secure contact sensor have to be to its magnet?

Accepted Answer

The maximum distance the sensor can be from the magnet is 2 cm. Keep in mind that materials such as wood can be impacted by temperature and humidity, so the gap between the sensor and, for example, a door frame can change.

Question 6

Do the Secure contact sensor and its magnet have to be placed at the same height?

Accepted Answer

Ideally, the sensor and its magnet are aligned, with the magnet next to the glossy part of the sensor. However, if necessary, the magnet can be placed up to 2.5 cm higher than the sensor. Always make sure you test the configuration you'd like to use before you attach the adhesive.

Question 7

What type of battery does the Secure contact sensor use, and how long will it last?

Accepted Answer

A CR2 battery is included with your Secure contact sensor. It should last at least two years.

Question 8

What does the button on the Secure contact sensor do?

Accepted Answer

The button on the front of the device is for installation. A long press prepares it to pair with your Bridge. Once on, add the sensor by opening the Philips Hue app and tapping Settings > Devices > Sensors > Add a sensor.

Question 9

Can the Secure contact sensor be used without a Bridge?

Accepted Answer

A Bridge is required for the Secure contact sensor.

Question 10

Can I turn off or adjust the brightness of the LED indicator on the Secure contact sensor?

Accepted Answer

The LED indicator cannot be adjusted or turned off.

Question 11

Is the Secure contact sensor supported by smart home assistants?

Accepted Answer

The Secure contact sensor can be used by smart home assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Google, and Siri.

Question 12

The LED indicator on my Secure contact sensor is red, but the battery is full. What's wrong?

Accepted Answer

The Secure contact sensor may have lost connection to the Bridge. Try moving the Secure contact sensor closer to the Bridge.

Every Philips Hue device is part of a mesh network that increases your range of connectivity, so the loss of connection may be because a Philips Hue device has been turned off and the mesh network was interrupted. In this case, power on the device that was turned off to restore the mesh network.

Question 13

Why did my Secure contact sensor send a notification with a potential tamper warning?

Accepted Answer

If you see this warning, your contact sensor was removed from its back plate. It could mean that someone has tampered with or removed your contact sensor.

Question 14

My Secure contact sensor stopped detecting if it's been opened or closed. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

First, check that the LED indicator on your contact sensor is still functioning. It should blink green once when closed, and blink green twice when opened.

If there are no flashing lights, make sure the distance between the magnet and the sensor is within 2 cm. If not, adjust the spacing.

If the magnet is within 2 cm, the battery may be empty and need to be replaced. Still having issues? Contact Support.

Question 15

What kind of surfaces can I use the adhesive tape of the Secure contact sensor on?

Accepted Answer

The adhesive tape works on most flat surfaces. Make sure you clean and degrease the surface before applying the tape.

Question 16

How should I mount my Secure contact sensor?

Accepted Answer

We recommend placing the magnet — the smaller piece of the sensor — on the part of the door or window that moves, so the door or window itself. Place the sensor itself on the door or window frame. You can place the magnet to the left or right of, or above, the glossy part of the sensor. Avoid placing the sensor on steel surfaces or on objects with strong magnetic fields, such as speakers. Be sure there's enough space around the sensor to remove it if you need to replace the battery.

Question 17

Why doesn't the Secure contact sensor detect activity if I open and close it quickly?

Accepted Answer

The contact sensor is designed with battery-saving logic. So if it is opened and closed in quick succession, such as because of a gust of wind, the contact sensor will wait for the situation to stabilize before sending an alert.

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