If your Apple HomeKit automations are failing to trigger
when combining a motion sensor with timebased conditions (such as "Only
after sunset" or "Between 7 PM and 11 PM"), you're facing one of
the most common HomeKit issues. The problem usually comes from misconfigured
conditions or device communication problems. Here’s a clear guide to
understanding and fixing it.
⭐ 1. Incorrect Time Conditions in the Automation
HomeKit is very strict when using combined conditions.
If your time range or sunset/sunrise settings conflict, the
automation will simply not run.
✅
Solution
Recreate the
automation from scratch.
Use a simple time
window (e.g., 7 PM–11 PM).
Avoid overlapping
with sunset/sunrise unless necessary.
⭐ 2. Motion Sensor Delays or Sleep Mode
Batterypowered motion sensors often go into sleep mode to
preserve battery, causing slow or missed triggers.
Common affected
devices:
Aqara motion sensors
Philips Hue older
models
IKEA TRÃ…DFRI sensors
✅
Solution
Replace batteries.
Move the sensor
closer to the HomeKit hub.
Avoid placing sensors near metal or concrete walls.
⭐ 3. HomeKit Hub Not Responding
If your HomePod, Apple TV, or iPad (acting as your hub) is
offline or disconnected, automations will fail.
Signs of hub
problems:
Automations don’t
trigger at all
Remote access doesn't
work
Devices appear “No
Response” occasionally
✅
Solution
Restart the hub
(HomePod or Apple TV).
Ensure the hub is
connected to the same WiFi network.
Disable multiple hubs
temporarily to test stability.
⭐ 4. Incorrect “People” / Presence Settings
If your automation includes presence conditions like “When I
am home,” HomeKit may misdetect your iPhone location.
Why it happens:
Low GPS accuracy
Batterysaving mode
WiFi disabled
✅
Solution
Enable WiFi and
Bluetooth permanently.
Turn off Low Power
Mode.
Ensure “Home” is set
in your HomeKit location settings.
⭐ 5. Sensor Not Added to the Correct Room or Home
If the motion sensor is in a different "Home" or
misconfigured room, the automation might not detect it.
✅
Solution
Move the motion
sensor to the correct room in the Home app.
Make sure you do not have duplicated “Homes.”
⭐ 6. Automation Priority Conflicts
If you have multiple automations using the same motion
sensor but different rules, HomeKit may ignore some of them.
Examples:
One automation turns
lights on
Another turns them
off based on time
A third adjusts
brightness
HomeKit may skip
actions to avoid conflict.
✅
Solution
Merge related automations into one or simplify them.
⭐ 7. Firmware or Home App Bugs
Occasionally Apple releases updates that temporarily break
automation logic.
Symptoms:
Automations work one
day and stop the next
Only timebased or
only sensorbased automations work
✅
Solution
Update to the latest
iOS / tvOS / HomePodOS versions
Remove and recreate
the broken automation
🎉
Final Thoughts
Apple HomeKit automations are powerful, but combining motion
sensors and time conditions can expose weaknesses in device communication, hub
reliability, and automation logic. By carefully checking each point above, you
can restore stable, reliable automations that trigger every time.