Hive App Not Working? Here's Why And How to Fix

How Hive Controls Your Boiler

Hive works by using three parts: the thermostat, the hub and the receiver. Together they tell your boiler when to turn the heating on.

What the thermostat does

The thermostat sets your temperature and tells the Hive hub what you want the heating to do.

What the Hive receiver does

The receiver is often fitted near your boiler. When the thermostat calls for heat, the receiver sends a signal to the boiler to fire up.

Why problems happen

If any part of the chain loses power, connection or signal, the heating will not come on.

A common real world example is a receiver that has lost connection after a home internet router has been restarted.

Common Hive Thermostat Problems and How to Fix Them

Below are the issues homeowners experience most often and the steps that usually help.

Hive thermostat not turning the heating on

If your Hive thermostat shows it is calling for heat but the boiler stays off:

• Check if the Hive receiver has a light on.

• Check the heating light on the receiver turns on when you raise the temperature.

• Check the boiler power switch next to the boiler has not been turned off.

• Try turning your boiler off for 10 seconds and back on.

• Make sure your thermostat is in heating mode, not hot water mode.

If the receiver shows no lights at all, there may be a power issue.

No signal between Hive thermostat and receiver

One of the most common causes of Hive heating faults is lost signal.

Try the following:

• Make sure your Hive thermostat is within range of the hub.

• Restart the Hive hub by turning it off for 10 seconds.

• Restart the Hive receiver by pressing the button once.

• Move the hub away from thick walls or the back of a TV.

• If needed, re-pair your Hive devices using the official guide at
  Hive Support: Pairing and Connectivity.

If the devices will not pair after several attempts, there may be a deeper wiring or signal issue.

Hive thermostat batteries low or empty

Low batteries can stop the thermostat sending commands to your heating.

Signs include:

• Heating works sometimes but not always

• Thermostat screen flickers

• App says “no response”

• Slow reaction to temperature changes

Replace the batteries with new AA alkaline batteries if your model uses them.

Once replaced, your thermostat should reconnect automatically.

Hive receiver lights flashing or staying off

The receiver light colours give clues about the fault.

• A steady green light usually means the receiver is connected.

• A flashing amber light often means pairing issues.

• No lights usually means no power.

Home checks:

• Ensure the fused spur switch next to the boiler is on.

• Check the fuse has not tripped on your consumer unit.

• Press the receiver button once to reset the connection.

Do not attempt to open the receiver. Wiring issues must be handled by a professional.

Hive thermostat schedule not working

If the heating is not following the schedule you set:

• Check that the thermostat is in schedule mode, not manual mode.

• Check that boost is not active.

• Check that your app and thermostat have the same time and settings.

• Restart the Hive app.

You can read more about schedules through the official Hive Heating Schedule Help page if needed.

Heating turning on or off at the wrong time

If heating starts unexpectedly or shuts off too early:

• Check if the thermostat is placed near a warm appliance, radiator or window.

• Check the frost protection setting.

• Check any Hive sensors are not overriding the schedule.

A common example is a thermostat placed in direct sun, which makes Hive think the house is warmer than it is.

Hive app not controlling the heating

If the app is unresponsive:

• Restart your phone

• Restart your wifi router

• Restart the Hive hub

• Check if the hub light is solid green

A real world example is Hive losing connection after the home broadband router has been unplugged or replaced.

Boiler fires for hot water but not heating

If you have hot water but the heating will not turn on:

• There may be a fault with the motorised valve inside your heating system.

• The Hive receiver may not be sending the heating signal correctly.

• The boiler may not be responding to the heating circuit.

You can check:

• The heating light on the Hive receiver

• That the thermostat is calling for heat

• That boiler power is on

If the boiler fires for hot water only, it often needs a professional to check the valve or wiring.

Quick Checks Most Homeowners Can Do

These steps are safe and often resolve the issue:

Reboot the system in the correct order

Turn off and restart:

1. Thermostat

2. Hive hub

3. Hive receiver

4. Boiler power

This often re-establishes lost communication.

Check boiler pressure

If pressure is very low, the boiler may not respond to heating commands.

You can read more in our boiler losing pressure guide.

Check the isolation switch near the boiler

This switch can be turned off by accident during cleaning or decorating.

Check thermostat placement

Place it in a room where air moves freely and is not near heat sources.

Troubleshooting Table

When You Should Call an Engineer

You should contact a heating engineer when:

• The boiler does not fire after checking connection and power

• The receiver has no lights at all

• There are signs of damaged wiring

• Heating turns on and off within seconds

• The motorised valve may be stuck or faulty

• You smell gas or notice scorch marks

Do not attempt to open or repair boiler wiring.

Preventing Future Hive Heating Problems

Preventing issues is often simple:

• Replace thermostat batteries every 6 months
  Weak batteries create many common Hive faults.

• Keep the Hive hub in an open location
  Avoid cupboards or behind the TV.

• Update the Hive app and firmware
  This helps with stability and connection.

• Check boiler pressure regularly
  Low pressure stops heating from working properly.

• Place the thermostat in a suitable location
  Avoid radiators, windows, ovens or direct sunlight.

• Service your boiler yearly
  A well maintained boiler responds better to smart controls.

Final Thoughts on Fixing Hive Heating Problems

Most Hive heating problems come from simple connection or power issues.

Batteries, hub resets and receiver checks often restore heating quickly.

If the boiler does not fire after these steps, or the receiver shows no lights, an engineer should take over.

iHeat Help

Only carry out checks you feel confident doing.

Boiler wiring, internal components and gas appliances must only be worked on by a qualified professional.

iHeat installs new boilers through trusted Gas Safe engineers and can advise you on heating issues that may point to an ageing or unreliable boiler.

Get a quote

References
Hive - https://www.hivehome.com/support/smart-thermostat-hive-app/schedules