Set up and control C by GE smart light bulbs and plugs

Note: This article applies to C by GE bulbs and plugs only.

For information on how to set up and control bulbs or plugs from other manufacturers, or a C by GE smart switch, check our smart device control page and our smart device setup page.

Google Nest allows you to turn your C by GE devices on and off, and control bulb brightness remotely by using voice commands, the Google Home app, or a visual display like the Google Nest Hub. All C by GE plugs and bulbs, including Soft White and Tunable White bulbs, can be paired with your Google Nest or Home speaker or display. You can connect up to 6 total C by GE bulbs and plugs with each speaker or display.

Set up your C by GE devices

Set up C by GE devices in the Google Home app

If your C by GE devices aren’t set up in the C by GE app, you can set them up in the Google Home app.

Plug in your device in the same room as your speaker or display.
Set up your speaker or display if you haven’t already.
Open the Google Home app .
At the top left, tap Add Set up device New device .
Select the device you’d like to set up. Your device will blink when selected.
Where is this device? Choose which room your device is in.
1. You can create a custom room when you tap Add custom room type in room name tap Next.
Create a unique name. Type in the desired name for your device that you’ll use for voice commands. It’s recommended to use a contextual name like “reading light” or “overhead light.” For best results, don’t include the room name in the device’s name.
Set up your smart light or plug. Your device may blink a few times.
Your device is ready. Tap Done.
Setup is successful. You can now control your lights and plugs with Google Assistant.

Note: The device may blink during its first firmware update after being set up with the Google Home app.

Move C by GE devices from the C by GE app to the Google Home app

To move devices from the C by GE app, delete them from the C by GE app and set them up in the Google Home app.

Turn on your C by GE device. The device must be turned on before you continue.
Delete the device from the C by GE app. This will factory reset the device.
1. If the factory reset is successful, the bulb you’re setting up will blink 3 times, or the plug LED will blink blue.
2. If the light or plug LED don’t blink, you’ll need to factory reset each bulb or plug manually. Note that the reset sequence is different depending on your device’s firmware version. If the first reset sequence doesn’t work, you have an older firmware version and will need to use the second reset sequence.
Open the Google Home app .
At the top left, tap Add Set up device New device .
Choose a home to set up the device in and tap Next.
The Home app will start to scan for nearby devices that are ready for setup.
Select the bulb or plug you’d like to set up. Your device will blink when selected.
Room Selection: Choose which room your device is in.
- You can create a custom room by tapping Add custom room type in room name Tap Next.
Name your device: Type in the name that you’ll use for voice commands. It’s recommended to use a contextual name like “reading light” or “coffee maker plug.” For best results, don’t include the room name in the device’s name.
Your device may receive an update and blink a few times. Tap Got it.
Your devices are ready: Tap Continue.
Setup is successful. You’re all done!

Note: The device may blink during its first firmware update after being set up with the Google Home app.

Control your lights with a speaker or display

To do this:	Say “Hey Google” or “Ok Google,” then:
To turn on or off a specific light (Example: “desk light”)	“Turn off the desk light”
Dim lights	“Dim the desk light” or “Dim all the lights”
Brighten lights	“Brighten the desk light”
Set a light brightness to a certain percentage	“Set desk light to 50%” or “Set lights to 70%”
Dim or brighten lights by a certain percentage	“Dim/Brighten lamp by 50%” or “Dim/Brighten lights by 10%”
Turn on or off all lights	“Turn on all of the lights” or “Turn off all of the lights”
Set Tunable White bulbs to Vibrant or wake color	“Set lights to bright white”
Set Tunable White bulbs to Active or everyday color	“Set lights to soft white”
Set Tunable White bulbs to Calm or sleep color	“Set lights to candlelight”
Change the color temperature of Tunable White bulbs	“Change lights to 2700 kelvin” (2000-7000 range)

Control your plugs with a speaker or display

To do this:	Say “Hey Google” or “Ok Google,” then:
To turn on or off a specific plug (Example: “desk plug”)	“Turn off the desk plug”
Turn on or off all plugs	“Turn on all of the plugs” or “Turn off all of the plugs”

Note: When your speaker or display, and C by GE devices are in the same room, your speaker or display will know your voice commands are for the C by GE devices in that room. For example, if your speaker and bulbs are in the living room, and you say “Hey Google, turn off the lights,” then the living room lights will turn off.

Control your lights and plugs with the Google Home app

To find the control screen for your device, open the Google Home app and then tap your light or plug.

You can turn your device on and off or change the Tunable White bulb color temperature.

Set a schedule for your lights and plugs

You can use Routines to set a schedule for your device.

Open the Google Home app tap Routines Manage routines.
Tap Add or a ready-made Routine.

Note: You’ll need to enter a voice command for your Routine, but the Routine will still start automatically at the time you schedule.

Set a nickname for your light or plug

Open the Google Home app .
Select your device Settings Name.
Enter a name tap Save.

Tip: Your speaker or display already knows the room it’s in, so your voice commands will be more clear if you use a contextual name like “overhead light” or “hallway plug.”

Unlink your C by GE device(s) from the Home app

Note: You cannot unlink individual C by GE lights or plugs. When you remove one C by GE device through these steps, it’ll remove all C by GE devices:

Make sure your bulbs or plugs are powered on.
Open the Google Home app .
Select a C by GE device.
Tap Settings Remove device Remove. This will remove all your GE bulbs and plugs. Removing individual C by GE lights and plugs is not supported.

If the Google Home app can’t find your bulb or plug during set up

Turn the device off for 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
Make sure you have the latest version of the Google Home app.
Reboot your speaker or display.
Force close the Google Home app.
Factory reset your speaker or display.

Note: If your bulbs or plugs don’t show up in either the Google Home app or the C by GE app, they probably need to be factory reset. They might also use older firmware, so follow the second factory reset sequence if the first sequence doesn’t work.

If your bulb or plug doesn’t respond

Make sure the outlet receives power. Check that your wall switch is on.
Turn the bulb or plug off and on. The device takes up to one minute after it receives power to reconnect to your speaker or display. Try your light or plug and check if it works. If so, you’re done.
Try to use the device in a different lamp or socket.

If you get the error message “Something went wrong”

The signal between your device and your speaker or display might not be strong enough. To increase the signal strength, move the C by GE device and your speaker or display closer to each other. They should be no more than 15 feet apart.
You might not be a member of the home that the C by GE device was set up in. Ask the person who created the home to add you as a member.
Other devices near your speaker or display or C by GE device might cause interference. If you have a nearby Wi-Fi router, cordless phone, microwave or Bluetooth speaker, move it further away if you can.
You might have too many C by GE devices in one Home app home. You can add up to 6 C by GE devices per Google Assistant device in your home.

If you are still unable to resolve the issue, share feedback about your speaker, display, or the Google Home app.

Factory reset your C by GE devices

Follow these steps to reset your C by GE lights and plugs:

If you want to set up a C by GE smart switch

Follow the steps to set up smart home devices. C by GE switches use different setup steps than bulbs or plugs. After you open the Google Home app

, tap Add

Set up device

Works with Google.

New to smart lights? The Smart Light Starter Kit is your first step to home automation with a Google Nest Mini (2nd gen) or a Google Home Mini (1st gen) and a GE Soft White Smart Bulb in one package.