How to Fix Issues with TP-Link Smart Home Automation

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

In This Guide

You'll Learn:

• How to deal with issues on your TP-Link smart home devices.

2. Ensure Same Network

Your mobile device running the Kasa app needs to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network your Kasa smart devices are connected to. Let's make sure you are connected to your home's Wi-Fi network.

3. Check Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.

To check if your Android mobile device is connected to Wi-Fi:

1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
   

1. Select Wi-Fi.
   

1. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned On, then select the Wi-Fi network that says Connected under it.
   

1. Here, you'll see the basics of your Wi-Fi connection, with the Wi-Fi network name at the top, and other information such as Signal Strength, Link Speed and the Frequency you're connected at and the Security type of the network.
   

More Details

1. To see more information about your connection, select Cancel.
2. Select the Settings gear in the top right corner.
   

1. Here, you'll see a variety of information related to your connection at the bottom, such as the MAC (Media Access Control) address and IP addresses your Android device has been given.
   

4. Restart

1. Hold down the power button on your Android device.
   Depending on the manufacturer and model of Android device you have, the location of the power button will vary.
2. A prompt will appear on-screen. Select Restart.
   

If the menu does not pop up, continue to hold the power button, and your Android device will shut off.

• If you had to shut down your Android device, wait 30 seconds before turning your device back on.

5. Additional Information

To better assist you, please answer this question.

6. Reboot

1. Turn off the main power, or unplug the lamp that your smart bulb is plugged into.
   

1. Wait 10 seconds.
   

1. Turn the power back on, or plug the lamp back in.
   

1. Wait one minute for the smart bulb to reconnect to the network.
   

7. Reboot Router

To reboot a router simply unplug the power cord, make sure that all the lights went off, keep it powered off for 30 seconds then plug the power cord back in.

8. Re-Add Device

1. Launch the Kasa Smart app.
   

1. Tap Add in the top right corner.
   

1. Scroll through the list of devices and select the device you want to add.
   

1. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete re-adding your device.

9. What's next?

10. Reboot

1. Turn off the main power or unplug the smart plug from the main outlet.
   

1. Wait 10 seconds.
2. Turn the main power back on or plug the smart plug back into the main outlet.
3. Wait one minute for the smart plug to reconnect to the home network.

11. Reboot

1. Press the restart button below the right side of the light switch.
   

1. Wait one minute for the smart switch to reinitialize and reconnect to the home network.

12. Reboot

1. Turn off the main power or unplug the camera from the power outlet.
   

1. Wait 10 seconds.
2. Turn the main power back on or plug the camera back into the power outlet.
3. Wait one minute for the camera to reconnect to the home network.

13. Connect to Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.

1. From the main screen of your Android device, tap on the Apps button.
   

1. Then look for and tap on Settings.
   

1. Go to Wi-Fi.
   

1. Make sure the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On / Off switch to the On position then wait for the network list to populate and tap on the Wi-Fi network that you want to connect to.
   

1. Your Android device will automatically connect to the network if there is no security enabled, or you have connected to it in the past. The Wi-Fi network name will show Connected underneath and the Wi-Fi symbol will fill up in the top right corner of the screen.
   

1. If the Wi-Fi network requires a password, then you will see a small padlock next to the Wi-Fi symbol, which also means the connection is secure. Tapping on a secured Wi-Fi networks name will prompt you to enter the password. Passwords are always case sensitive. Type it in using the on screen keyboard then tap Connect.
   

1. If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to connect to is hidden, then tap the More option which looks like three dots positioned vertically, on the top right corner of the screen, then tap Add network.
   

1. Enter the Wi-Fi networks name using the on screen keyboard and tap Save if no password is required to connect. If a password is needed to connect to the Wi-Fi network then tap on Security and select the security type. Type in the password, then tap Save.
   

At this point your Android device should be connected to Wi-Fi.

As an alternate way you can also try the following method:

1. Swipe downwards from the top side of the screen.
   

1. Look for the Wi-Fi symbol in the drop down menu and tap on the word below it. If you're not connected to any network, it will say Wi-Fi. If you're already connected to a network, it will show its name.
   

1. Make sure the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On / Off switch to the On position then wait for the network list to populate and tap on the Wi-Fi network that you want to connect to.
   

14. Check Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be the same across all iOS devices and generations.

To check if your iOS mobile device is connected to Wi-Fi:

1. From the main screen of your device, look for and open Settings.
   

1. With Settings open, look for the Wi-Fi field. This field will display the current Wi-Fi status on the right hand side:

• Off - the Wi-Fi antenna is currently disabled.
• Not Connected - Wi-Fi is turned on, but your device is not currently connected to a network.
• Wi-Fi network name - Wi-Fi is turned on, and the network name displayed is the network your device is currently connected to.
  

15. Restart

1. Hold down the lock/power button.
2. Slide to power off when prompted.
3. Wait until the phone is off.
4. Hold down the lock/power button until you see the Apple logo.

16. Connect to Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be the same across all iOS devices and generations.

1. From the main screen of your device, look for and open Settings.
   

1. After that, go to Wi-Fi. You will see that this option also shows one of three statuses to the right:
   
2. Off - the Wi-Fi feature is disabled
3. Not Connected - there is no Wi-Fi connection establishe
4. the Wi-Fi connections name - there is a Wi-Fi connection already established.

1. Make sure that the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On/Off switch to the green position. Locate and tap the Wi-Fi networks name that you wish to connect to from the list.
   

1. Your iOS device will automatically connect to the network if there is no security enabled, or you have connected to it in the past. The checkmark and Wi-Fi symbol indicate you are connected.
   

1. If the Wi-Fi network requires a password, then you will see a small padlock to the right of its name, which also means the connection is secure.
   

1. Tapping on a secured Wi-Fi networks name will prompt you to enter the password. Passwords are always case sensitive. Type it in using the on screen keyboard then tap Join on the bottom right corner. If tapping it does nothing, then it means the password you typed in is too short.
   

1. If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to connect to is hidden, then tap the Other... option.
   

1. Enter the Wi-Fi networks name using the on screen keyboard and tap Join at the bottom right if no password is required to connect. If a password is needed to connect to the Wi-Fi network then tap on Security.
   

1. Choose the type of security the Wi-Fi network has by tapping on it.
   

1. Finally, type in the required Wi-Fi password and tap Join at the bottom right corner to connect.
   

At this point your iOS device should be connected to Wi-Fi.

17. Ensure Same Network

Your mobile device running the Kasa app needs to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network your Kasa smart devices are connected to. Let's make sure you are connected to your home's Wi-Fi network.

18. Check Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.

To check if your Android mobile device is connected to Wi-Fi:

1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
   

1. Select Wi-Fi.
   

1. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned On, then select the Wi-Fi network that says Connected under it.
   

1. Here, you'll see the basics of your Wi-Fi connection, with the Wi-Fi network name at the top, and other information such as Signal Strength, Link Speed and the Frequency you're connected at and the Security type of the network.
   

More Details

1. To see more information about your connection, select Cancel.
2. Select the Settings gear in the top right corner.
   

1. Here, you'll see a variety of information related to your connection at the bottom, such as the MAC (Media Access Control) address and IP addresses your Android device has been given.
   

19. Enable Remote Control

1. Launch the Kasa Smart app.
   

1. Access the Menu from the top left corner.
   

1. Make sure you're not logged in as Guest. If you are, then tap Log In or Create Account.You have to be logged in with your Kasa account in order to control your TP-Link smart devices while you're away from home.

1. Choose how you want to login to the app:
2. If you want to use a new Kasa account or don't have one, choose Create Account and fill in your new account information.
3. If you want to use an existing Kasa account, choose Log In and fill in your existing account information.

1. Tap the smart device you want to control while you're away from home.
   

1. Then go to Settings in the top right corner.
   

1. And enable Remote Control.
   

20. What's next?

21. Connect to Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.

1. From the main screen of your Android device, tap on the Apps button.
   

1. Then look for and tap on Settings.
   

1. Go to Wi-Fi.
   

1. Make sure the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On / Off switch to the On position then wait for the network list to populate and tap on the Wi-Fi network that you want to connect to.
   

1. Your Android device will automatically connect to the network if there is no security enabled, or you have connected to it in the past. The Wi-Fi network name will show Connected underneath and the Wi-Fi symbol will fill up in the top right corner of the screen.
   

1. If the Wi-Fi network requires a password, then you will see a small padlock next to the Wi-Fi symbol, which also means the connection is secure. Tapping on a secured Wi-Fi networks name will prompt you to enter the password. Passwords are always case sensitive. Type it in using the on screen keyboard then tap Connect.
   

1. If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to connect to is hidden, then tap the More option which looks like three dots positioned vertically, on the top right corner of the screen, then tap Add network.
   

1. Enter the Wi-Fi networks name using the on screen keyboard and tap Save if no password is required to connect. If a password is needed to connect to the Wi-Fi network then tap on Security and select the security type. Type in the password, then tap Save.
   

At this point your Android device should be connected to Wi-Fi.

As an alternate way you can also try the following method:

1. Swipe downwards from the top side of the screen.
   

1. Look for the Wi-Fi symbol in the drop down menu and tap on the word below it. If you're not connected to any network, it will say Wi-Fi. If you're already connected to a network, it will show its name.
   

1. Make sure the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On / Off switch to the On position then wait for the network list to populate and tap on the Wi-Fi network that you want to connect to.
   

22. Check Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be the same across all iOS devices and generations.

To check if your iOS mobile device is connected to Wi-Fi:

1. From the main screen of your device, look for and open Settings.
   

1. With Settings open, look for the Wi-Fi field. This field will display the current Wi-Fi status on the right hand side:

• Off - the Wi-Fi antenna is currently disabled.
• Not Connected - Wi-Fi is turned on, but your device is not currently connected to a network.
• Wi-Fi network name - Wi-Fi is turned on, and the network name displayed is the network your device is currently connected to.
  

23. Connect to Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be the same across all iOS devices and generations.

1. From the main screen of your device, look for and open Settings.
   

1. After that, go to Wi-Fi. You will see that this option also shows one of three statuses to the right:
   
2. Off - the Wi-Fi feature is disabled
3. Not Connected - there is no Wi-Fi connection establishe
4. the Wi-Fi connections name - there is a Wi-Fi connection already established.

1. Make sure that the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On/Off switch to the green position. Locate and tap the Wi-Fi networks name that you wish to connect to from the list.
   

1. Your iOS device will automatically connect to the network if there is no security enabled, or you have connected to it in the past. The checkmark and Wi-Fi symbol indicate you are connected.
   

1. If the Wi-Fi network requires a password, then you will see a small padlock to the right of its name, which also means the connection is secure.
   

1. Tapping on a secured Wi-Fi networks name will prompt you to enter the password. Passwords are always case sensitive. Type it in using the on screen keyboard then tap Join on the bottom right corner. If tapping it does nothing, then it means the password you typed in is too short.
   

1. If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to connect to is hidden, then tap the Other... option.
   

1. Enter the Wi-Fi networks name using the on screen keyboard and tap Join at the bottom right if no password is required to connect. If a password is needed to connect to the Wi-Fi network then tap on Security.
   

1. Choose the type of security the Wi-Fi network has by tapping on it.
   

1. Finally, type in the required Wi-Fi password and tap Join at the bottom right corner to connect.
   

At this point your iOS device should be connected to Wi-Fi.

24. What's next?