Do You Need a Hub for Sengled Smart Bulbs? (And Can it Work with Alexa?)

With all the buzz surrounding smart devices and the wide selection of choices, it can be a bit overwhelming. One common confusion surrounds smart bulbs and how to set them up. In this article, we will go through what you need to set up your new Sengled Bulb, walk you through setting it up with multiple devices and how to troubleshoot any issues.

While you do not need to use a Sengled Hub, you will need a ZigBee compatible hub for most Sengled Smart Bulbs. These include SmartThings hub, Amazon Echo Plus with Alexa. The Echo Plus is compatible with all Element devices such as the Sengled Bulbs.  The Sengled Smart Wi-Fi LED is now available and does not require a separate hub.  It can be controlled using the Sengled Home app, and Echo device, or Fire Tv devices.

In this guide, you will find a step by step figure out how to install your Sengled Bulbs, how to pair them with a Sengled Element Hub or Amazon Echo Plus, another compatible hub, and additional options that you may want to consider. Finally, we will help to troubleshoot many of the common issues that you may encounter while using Sengled Bulbs.

What is a Hub?

A hub is a device designed to network devices together, it allows them to communicate digitally across a Wi-Fi signal. Unlike other devices that regulate what they communicate with, a hub sends the signal to all devices that are paired with it. Additionally, hubs can on be paired with devices that use the same Protocol language as the hub.

Requirements for Using a Sengled Smart LED Bulb

In order to ensure that your Sengled Smart LED Bulb works properly and at full capacity, there are a few things you need, these include.

• A Zigbee compatible hub is required for Sengled Bulbs.
• A 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection.
• A mobile device can support the Sengled Home app, available on the PC, Mac, Android, and iOS.

Are Sengled Bulbs Compatible with Other Hubs or Bulbs?

Sengled bulbs, use the Zigbee Protocol language. Therefore, in addition to the Sengled hub, they are compatible with the following hubs:

• The Amazon Echo Plus works as a Zigbee hub, individuals looking to add Zigbee devices can use the Echo Plus without the need for an additional hub. Using the Echo Plus allows users to have the added benefit of voice control over their Zigbee devices, such as the Sengled bulbs.
• The Wink Smart home hub can communicate in many different protocol languages in addition to Zigbee. Unlike other hubs, the Wink hub plugs directly into your home network instead of uses the cloud to control the smart devices within your home.
• Samsung SmartThings hub is the most versatile of hub available. You can purchase a Samsung SmartThings hub or use Samsung’s Connect Home mesh router, which has SmartThings hub capabilities. Both can be connected to Google Assistant and Alexa enabled devices to work with voice commands.
• The Almond 3 is another mesh router with hub capabilities. One big advantage to the Almond 3 is that covers approximately 1500 square feet and can connect to up to two additional routers to expand the coverage area.

How to Use a Sengled Bulb with A Sengled Element Hub

Using a Sengled Smart LED Bulb with a Sengled Element Hub involves first connecting your Sengled Hub to your home network then installing the bulb.  Here are the steps to connect the hub and install the bulb.

Connecting A Sengled Hub to Your Home Network.

• The Sengled Element Hub is controlled using the Sengled Home app. Download the Sengled Home app to your smart home. The app is available on Android and iOS. Additionally, the Sengled Home Skill can be added to Alexa for voice command of your devices after they are connected.
• After setting up the app, you will be prompted to ‘ADD DEVICE’, this will allow you to connect the hub to the app. Follow these steps to connect your hub.
• On the app select the hub (if you purchased a starter kit, then you can select the kit from the options and then you will be prompted to select the hub, or you can select the Element Hub from the list of devices.
• Plug the hub in and make sure it has power.
• Connect the Ethernet cable to the hub and your router – wait for approximately 30 seconds.
• When prompted click ‘NEXT’. The app will then search for the hub.
• The Sengled Element Hub must be connected to the same 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal as your phone.
• When both the power and cables lights are illuminated, click ‘NEXT’ and select the appropriate router and enter the Wi-Fi password.
• Once the hub is successfully connected, the app will tell you and give you the option of naming your hub. (This may make connecting additional hubs easier by making the hub easily identifiable)

Installing A Sengled Bulb and Connecting It to The Sengled Element Hub

• With the power off, place your Sengled Bulb into the socket.
• Power on the light fixture.
• From the Sengled Home App, go to Devices and click “+” and follow the prompts. The app will walk you through the process of adding the bulb.
• Once finished installing, you can now operate the bulb using the Sengled Home app.

For information on adding another bulb, be sure to check out our Sengled Smart Bulb Guide.

Each Sengled Element Hub Can Support Up to A Maximum Of 64 Sengled Element Bulbs

Connecting Sengled Element Hub to Alexa

Some of the most popular devices in the Smart Home industry are Alexa enabled devices.  Devices such as the Echo range of products, Amazon’s Fire TV devices, the Portal from Facebook, and many more.  You can even download the Alexa app to your PC, Mac, or any Android or iOS device. 

Sengled Element Hub and Alexa allow you to control any device that is paired with the hub with Alexa voice, or even directly from the Alexa app.  Here are the few simple steps to connect your Sengled Element Hub to Alexa:

1. Download the Amazon Alexa app, produced by Amazon Mobile, LLC, from the app store on your device. 
2. Navigate to ‘Skills’ within the app, choose ‘Your Skills’ in the top right.
3. Search for “Sengled Home” and select the Sengled Home skill.
4. Enable the Skill within the Alexa app
5. You will be prompted to enter your Sengled account information and grant permission to the Alexa app to access your Sengled account information.

Once you have successfully linked the Sengled Hub and Alexa you can use Alexa to control your devices connected to your hub.  What you will be able to do with Alexa is only limited by the options available on your connected device.  Here are a few commands you may want to try to control your Sengled Smart Bulb:

“Alexa, turn on the desk lamp.”

“Alexa, turn off the bedroom lights.”

“Alexa, dim the living room lights.”

The options become nearly limitless as you can add devices groups and control more than one device with one command.  Additionally, Alexa can recognize types of paired devices.  If you have multiple bulbs throughout your home, you can say, “Alexa, turn on the lights.” This will turn on all the Smart Bulbs with one command.

When you no longer wish to control your hub connect to devices, all you need to do is to disable the Sengled Home skill within the Alexa app.

Sengled Smart LED Bulb Options

There are many Sengled Bulb Options available.  Whether you are looking to add classic white lighting or the most modern looking lights with a built-in speaker, there is a Sengled Bulb that will fit your needs.  Here are a few of our favorites:

• Sengled Element Classic – There is a full line of white bulbs that can replace traditional bulbs of all types throughout your home.  Sengled Bulbs are available in Soft White and Daylight laminations for both A19 light sockets and BR30 light sockets.
• Sengled Element Color Plus – Like the classic bulbs, Sengled Color Plus Bulbs are available in both A19 and BR30 sizes.  Color bulbs give users access to more than 16 million possible colors to illuminate their space. 

Other Lighting Options

• Sengled Element Plus Tunable Bulb – Tunable Bulbs bring the options of being able to set your lighting to lighting temperatures from a warm 2700k to a bright 5000k light in times when clear, crisp light is needed. 
• Sengled Pulse LED Smart Bulb – with a built-in JBL Bluetooth Speaker, the Pulse Bulb gives the user both lighting and audio flexibility in one device, with high fidelity 13-watt loudspeakers. The Pulse Bulbs are designed to fit E26 light sockets and can be connected with up to seven additional Pulse Bulbs for whole home stereo sound.
• Sengled Smart LED with Wi-Fi Booster – Users who need to extend their Wi-Fi signal will find this Smart LED Bulb allows up to 100 additional feet of Wi-Fi signal to any E26 light socket with a near line of sight.  Eliminate dead spots and weak signals.   
• Sengled LED with Smartsense Security Floodlight Bulb – Security becomes easier with this motion-activated Smart Bulb with Smartsense technology.  They are hands-free and weatherproof The Smartsense LED bulb has a built-in motion sensor to detect motion within 30 feet. Additionally, the bulbs with a camera can be set up to record 24 hours per day or when movement is detected.  Video storage will require Sengled Snap cloud service.  Both free and paid services available.

How to Connect the Sengled Element Hub to the SmartThings App

SmartThings has two different apps with which the Sengled Element Hub can be paired.  Follow the steps for the SmartThings app that you use to connect your Hub.

• Classic SmartThings app

• New SmartThings app

Sengled Element Hub Troubleshooting

Here are a few of the issues that you may run into with your Sengled Element Hub.  To troubleshoot issues that may be common to a Sengled Element Smart Bulb, check out our Sengled Smart Bulb Guide.

Sengled Element Hub is Offline

If your hub is offline, try one of these options to bring it back online:

• Unplug the power cord from the hub.  After 15 seconds, then plug the cord back into the hub.  Wait for the hub to power back up and check to see if it is back online.
• Moving the hub closer to the router may help them to communicate more easily and decrease offline occurrences.  Simply unplug the hub, move it to the new location and plug it back in.  Wait for the hub to power back up and see if it is back online.
• Reconnecting the Ethernet cable that comes with the hub between the hub and router will allow them to communicate directly.  Some slower Wi-Fi signals may require the Ethernet cable stay connected to the hub and router

Resetting a Sengled Element Hub

Resetting the hub will restore it back to factory settings.  Some of the reasons to reset your hub include:

• A new ISP
• New router
• Moving to a new residence
• Changing the Wi-Fi name or password
• Moving the hub to a different account

To reset the Sengled Element Hub:

1. Disconnect it from the router and plug.
2. Power down the router.
3. Wait 60 seconds and power on the router.
4. Plug the hub back in and wait for it to power back up.
5. Press and hold the reset button on the side of the hub for at least 8 seconds.

You will know the reset was successful when the middle LED light flashes 8 times.

Firmware Update

Occasionally, there will be an update to the firmware for your Sengled Element Hub or Sengled Element Smart LED Bulb.  The Sengled Home app will alert if there is an update available.  Look for a red dot next to the setting tab in the bottom right corner on the home page of the app.  To update:

1. Select ‘Settings’.
2. Press ‘Firmware Upgrade’.
3. Select ‘Upgrade All’
4. Select ‘Upgrade’

What to expect during and after a firmware update:

It takes a Sengled Element Hub two to five minutes to update.  Sengled Bulbs can take anywhere from one to twelve hours to fully update.  After an update is downloaded the hub will automatically power down to install the update.  Sengled Bulbs can be used while the firmware is being updated, however, there may be a delay.  Do not disconnect the hub or bulb from its power source during a firmware update.

Sengled Element Hub Trouble Communicating with Sengled Bulb

Wireless interference can occur when multiple devices are being used and communicated at the same time.  Try one of these suggestions to improve the connection:

• Decrease the interference by moving the bulb closer to the hub.
• Ensure that your Wi-Fi is working properly and running at 2.4 GHz.
• Turn the bulb off and back on at the power source.
• If none of the above have worked reset the hub.

Conclusion

We have covered many of the common issues that users of Sengled Element Hubs or Sengled Smart LED Bulbs may encounter or wonder when setting them up or connecting them to other devices.  It is our hope that this article has helped you maneuver through some of these decisions and issues.  For more information on how to automate your home, add smart technology to many areas of your living space, be sure to check out some of the other articles on our site for tips and tricks to help you make your space smarter.