He was the eldest son of Count John I of Waldeck-Landau and his wife, Anna of Lippe.
He studied at the University of Marburg together with his younger brother Francis III.
In 1567, his uncle Philip V had waived a position as canon in Strasbourg in his favour.
Philip VI died in 1579 in Darmstadt and was buried in the city church there.
As he had no children, he was succeeded as Count by his younger brother Francis III.