Wow, I am flabbergasted at the lack of a manual with instruction on how to install the batteries in this motion sensor. There are about 3 YouTube videos, some 5 years old showing 4 screws on each corner in the back. Must be an older model. I removed the only screw on the back in the center above the “setup” button. But I cannot open this thing! You can see the slot at the very bottom, you’re supposed to insert a screwdriver and pry it open. I’ve done this to the point where it sounded like it’s going to crack! Unbelievable. I cannot believe the way they designed this thing! Can anyone tell me how to remove the back to get to the batteries?
Wow, I tried various sized screwdrivers including jewelers screwdriver, and could not insert ANY of them into the slot. I literally had to hammer a screwdriver into the slot, which chewed it up. But I was finally able to access the battery compartment.
It’s almost like they wanted to ensure a tight seal so no moisture could enter! I wonder why they would do that on an outdoor sensor?
Joking apart, double check you didn’t crack the plastic or chew it enough to ruin the seal. Otherwise you’ll be back here next year complaining about corrosion.
You can design a waterproof seal without making it next to impossible to remove the battery cover. A screw comes to mind. I had to hammer a small screwdriver into the slot to finally get it open! Ridiculous. Baring the idiotic battery cover design, I have motion sensitivity set to the lowest setting, and have it tilting down at about a 45 degree angle, and I still keep getting motion alerts every 30 seconds. I moved it down to 3ft. high, and still getting the false alerts. still trying to find an acceptable position.
I found this video showing how to remove the cover from your model of Philips Hue Outdoor Sensor.
After removing two screws (one in the center of the cover and the other on the bottom of the housing) you pry off the cover and, based on the video, it doesn’t release easily because of the gasket.
To control a motion sensor’s field of view (and sensitivity) I have covered sections of its detector with electrical tape. It’s may or may not work well for an outdoor motion sensor because it’s subject to far more motion-related events (wind, rain, blowing leaves, small animals, etc) than an indoor device.
I watched that video. The guy struggles for 2 minutes trying to remove the battery cover! Poor design, they should have used a screw. After struggling for a while he does get it. But as I said, I tried numerous tools and NONE of them could be inserted enough to pry open the cover. Until I took a frigging hammer and hammered a small screwdriver into the slot.
Yes, I read that some people cover it with tape, or mount it low. I’m still experimenting with placement. I know it’s picking up a tree in the wind in my front yard. I thought pointing it down on an angle would help but it didn’t. I think it will behave better as the sun goes down.
I just bought one of these, and I completely agree this is unfathomably bad design. I cannot believe that any company would OK this design, let alone a major well regarded company like Philips in their Hue line. This is absolutely absurd to me. The instructions step #2 shows just inserting a slotted screwdriver and prying up but this does nothing. The little slot they leave for the screwdriver is actually curved on the part where the tip of the screwdriver touches so you can’t even pry up or down perpendicular to the slot. If you insert the screwdriver and twist you can create some separation between the cover and the inside part, but that does nothing. I assume at this point you will need a another set of hands so you can then insert a thin spudger type tool into the opening you have created and further pry until it separates (undoubtedly marring the plastic case and probably breaking it after it’s sat outside in the sun for several years and become brittle). Since it’s brand new and came with batteries pre-installed I didn’t want to risk damaging it just to confirm how the process works now. So I can’t wait to re-discover this issue and fight with it in about 2 years.
I tried 5 different size tools and could not pry it open! What I finally did was gently hammer a small flathead screwdriver into the slot. They should have used a screw and a washer!
the original v2 dimmer switches have this problem too, you have to use a coin or the back of a key to open the battery compartment. if you try to use a flathead screwdriver, its too small and just chews up the plastic. They stopped using the turn to open cover and is now just a pry off cover
