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HomeKit: switches stop working properly

I ran into an issue where my wireless switches (Hue / Aqara) stop working properly in HomeKit.


When I press a button on any wireless remote, the scene configured behind the button pressed, does not get triggered. The strange thing is that I can actually see in the Home app that a button is being pressed but the action configured behind it, does not get triggered (see YouTube video https://youtu.be/IbxbXSjd8Ks). When I open the button configuration and tap “Test this action”, the scene gets triggered properly. When I tap the scene directly, it also works as expected.


I’m using wireless Hue Dimmer Switches (though a Hue bridge) and Aqara Mini switches (through an Aqara M1S hub). The issue appears with wireless switches from both manufacturers. I don’t have any issues with other accessories (hue lights, hue power plugs, aqara power plugs).


I use an Apple TV 4K second generation with the latest software installed on it.


Rebooting my router typically resolves the issue but then it re-appears after a couple of hours. I did not have this issue from the start, all worked well for months and then this issue appears a couple of weeks ago.


I tried the typical first aid things such as removing and adding the remotes again. It doesn’t matter if the action configured behind the button press is a scene or one or more individual accessories. The weird thing is that the home app is actually showing buttons being pressed so HomeKit is receiving the signals.


Using a ATV 4K 2nd generation as a home hub with the latest software.


Any suggestions?



Posted on Dec 31, 2021 8:46 AM

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4 replies

Jan 2, 2022 12:38 PM in response to Jan_BE

Found something.


So, I have two homes, let’s call them Home A and Home B.


This issue with the button actions is occurring in Home B.


When I open the Home app and tap <Home Settings> on Home B and then tap <Home Hubs and Settings>, I have 2 home hubs listed here:

  • ATV from home B in status Connected
  • ATV from home A in status Standby


The other way around, if I look at Home A, it only lists the following home hub:

  • ATV from Home A in status Connected


Now, I did something a couple of weeks ago that might explain this and It is actually around the time when the problems with my buttons started to occur in Home B.


I added a temperature sensor accessory to Home B while I was physically at Home A with that temperature sensor. I was surprised that I was actually able to add an accessory to a home I was not actually in but it worked. This might explain why Home B is now also listing my Home A home hub, but I’m wondering if what I did is actually something that Apple intentionally allows or if I did something that actually should not be possible to do (and messed things up in Home B).

Dec 31, 2021 1:44 PM in response to Jan_BE

Users are reporting the same issue on another social website. I thought it would be helpful to post the link and I have tried 3 times but that post is always deleted within minutes. I guess Apple does not like me posting links to third party websites, even though it would be helpful for people to know that they are not the only one experiencing a specific issue.

HomeKit: switches stop working properly

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