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Reboot, Factory Reset and Recommission a LIFX Switch

Updated

LIFX Switches support several hardware recovery actions, including rebooting and factory resetting.

The correct process depends on whether your Switch is running:

  • Matter firmware 4.100 or later
  • Legacy non-Matter firmware

Check the firmware version shown in the LIFX app before proceeding.

A reboot restarts the Switch without removing its settings.

A factory reset removes the locally stored configuration and requires the Switch to be onboarded again.

Matter Firmware 4.100 and Later

Matter-enabled LIFX Switches use a timed button-hold sequence.

They do not enter the previous green-flashing Setup Mode used by legacy firmware.

Button Hold Timeline

Approximate Hold TimeLED IndicationAction
~5 secondsBlueRelease to reboot
~10 secondsFlashing redRelease to factory reset
Continue holdingLED turns offReset cancelled

Release the buttons as soon as the action you want is indicated.

Continuing to hold after the factory-reset indication will cancel the reset.

Reboot a Matter-Enabled Switch

A reboot restarts the Switch without removing its current settings or configuration.

Rebooting also reopens the Matter commissioning window for 15 minutes.

To reboot:

  1. Press and hold all buttons on the Switch.
  2. Continue holding until the status LED turns blue, approximately 5 seconds.
  3. Release all buttons immediately.
  4. Allow the Switch to reboot fully.

The Switch’s existing LIFX and Matter configuration will remain intact.

Factory Reset a Matter-Enabled Switch

A factory reset removes the Switch’s locally stored configuration.

After the reset, the Switch must be onboarded and commissioned again.

To factory reset:

  1. Press and hold all buttons on the Switch.
  2. Ignore the initial blue reboot indication and continue holding.
  3. When the status LED flashes red, approximately 10 seconds, release all buttons immediately.
  4. Allow the Switch to complete the reset and restart.

Important: Do not continue holding the buttons after the red factory-reset indication.

If the LED turns off before you release the buttons, the reset has been cancelled and no configuration has been removed.

Release the buttons and repeat the process if a factory reset is still required.

Recommission a Matter-Enabled Switch

After a factory reset:

  1. Keep the Switch powered on.
  2. Connect your phone to the Wi-Fi network you want to use for the Switch.
  3. Open the LIFX app.
  4. Follow the onboarding process to add the Switch back to your LIFX account.
  5. Use the Matter QR code or setup code assigned to that specific Switch when prompted.
  6. Complete Matter commissioning within the 15-minute commissioning window.

If the commissioning window expires, reboot the Switch using the 5-second process above. This opens a new 15-minute commissioning window without performing another factory reset.

If the Switch was previously connected to Apple Home or another Matter platform, remove any old or unavailable entry from that platform where possible before recommissioning it.

Do not use the previous legacy HomeKit code with a Matter-enabled Switch.

Legacy Non-Matter Firmware

Legacy non-Matter Switch firmware uses different reboot, reset and onboarding behaviour.

A successful factory reset places the Switch into the previous green-flashing Setup Mode.

Do not use the Matter firmware LED sequence below unless the Switch is running firmware 4.100 or later.

Reboot a Legacy Non-Matter Switch

A reboot restarts the Switch without removing its settings.

To reboot:

  1. Press and hold the bottom button.
  2. Continue holding until the status LED turns red and the Switch provides haptic feedback, approximately 3 seconds.
  3. Release the button within 2 seconds of the indication.
  4. Allow the Switch to reboot.

If you continue holding beyond the release window, the reboot may be cancelled and the Switch will return to its previous state.

Factory Reset a Legacy Non-Matter Switch

A factory reset removes all locally stored configuration and places the Switch into Setup Mode.

To factory reset:

  1. Press and hold all buttons on the Switch.
  2. Continue holding for approximately 10 seconds.
  3. When the status LED flashes green and the Switch provides haptic feedback, release all buttons.
  4. Allow the Switch to enter Setup Mode.

The fast flashing green LED confirms that the reset has completed and the Switch is ready to be onboarded again.

Reconnect a Legacy Non-Matter Switch

After a factory reset:

  1. Keep the Switch powered on.
  2. Connect your phone to the Wi-Fi network you want to use for the Switch.
  3. Open the LIFX app.
  4. Follow the normal Switch onboarding process.
  5. Complete legacy HomeKit pairing if you want to add the Switch to Apple Home.

Legacy non-Matter Switches use the previous HomeKit setup process and HomeKit code.

They do not use Matter commissioning credentials.

How to Check the Firmware Version

If the Switch is currently connected to the LIFX app:

  1. Open the LIFX app.
  2. Open the Switch settings.
  3. Locate the firmware version.

Use the Matter firmware 4.100 and later instructions if the version shown is 4.100 or higher.

Use the legacy non-Matter firmware instructions if the Switch has not been updated to Matter.

If the Switch is no longer available in the app and you cannot confirm its firmware, consider whether it was previously updated through the Update to Matter process before attempting a reset.

Reboot or Factory Reset?

Use a reboot when:

  • The Switch is temporarily unresponsive.
  • The Matter commissioning window has expired.
  • You want to restart the Switch without removing its settings.
  • The Switch remains configured but is not responding normally.

Use a factory reset when:

  • You need to remove all locally stored configuration.
  • You are moving the Switch to a different account or network.
  • Matter commissioning repeatedly fails and stale commissioning information may remain.
  • The Switch was previously connected to another Matter ecosystem and cannot be recommissioned.
  • LIFX Support has specifically asked you to reset the Switch.

A factory reset should not normally be the first troubleshooting step.

Important Notes

  • A factory reset does not downgrade the Switch firmware.
  • A Matter-enabled Switch remains on Matter firmware after a factory reset.
  • Matter-enabled Switches do not return to the previous green-flashing Setup Mode.
  • Continuing to hold the buttons after the Matter factory-reset indication cancels the reset.
  • Use the Matter QR code or setup code belonging to the specific Switch being commissioned.
  • Keep the Switch powered throughout onboarding and commissioning.
  • Keep your phone connected to the intended local Wi-Fi network during setup.

Still Having Trouble?

If the Switch will not reboot, reset or recommission, contact LIFX Support and include:

  • The Switch model
  • The firmware version
  • The LED sequence shown during the reset attempt
  • The exact point at which the buttons were released
  • The Matter or Apple Home error message
  • Whether the Switch previously appeared in Apple Home or another Matter ecosystem
  • Whether the previous platform entry was removed before resetting
  • A short video of the complete reset process, if possible