Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsSetup issues? my step by step tips with app/wifi/alexa troubleshooting
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2021
We just swapped out a ceiling light fixture with a fan light combo unit. i wanted to be able to control with Alexa and going with a new switch due to the light bulb size was the only way to do that. The only problem encountered all revolved around getting both the Wi-Fi and Alexa integration to function properly following the enclosed instructions let alone the companies own help videos.
1 connect switch hardware to wall before moving to software connections
2 if you don’t have the ‘kasa’ app download it
3 open the kasa app and make sure you are connected to your personal Wi-Fi
a. if uncertain go to your settings, select connections on your phone
4 if open close and reopen the kasa app
5 go to your new switch, look to the lower left below the large button
6 switch says ‘reset’ press and hold until it starts flashing faster
7 go immediately to your phone
8 if there is no window that pops up saying new device discovered then skip to step 9
a. if window pops up tap it and continue as directed
9 press the ‘+’ upper right corner to add
a. select switches from the list shown on your phone
b. you’ll be asked to connect to the TP-Link Wi-Fi, go to your settings and change temporarily
c. follow on screen prompts
d. at the end of process go back to your Wi-Fi settings and switch back to your personal Wi-Fi
e. be sure within the app if you didn’t at the outset to choose or create a name to use with this
f. once connected to your Wi-Fi network and have a name you should be good to go
g. if done right you should not only be able to use it via the app but for Alexa it should already be done
i. just say Alexa turn on,…and it should work
10 if a window pops up as cited in ‘8’ try that path and follow the steps as shown in the app
11 At the end of that process once it says you are finished, you may or may not be prompted about Wi-Fi?
a. I went through these steps a half dozen times before I got mine setup and working
b. If something pops up about no Wi-Fi connection then again switch Wi-Fi from TP-Link to yours
c. When you think you are done then upper right corner the ‘gear’ icon for settings, go there
i. if there is at the very top a line about “remote control” with an on/off toggle you have a problem
ii. unfortunately you’ll need to start all over again as I had to
iii. delete device, you’ll have tap once and then a second time
iv. close out the app
v. go to the reset button on switch, press and hold until if flashes fast ( the instruction manual says restart,
however that never worked out at my end to resolve connection issues
vi. you are ready to give it another try
12 If it is added and appears all is good the true test is to say Alexa turn on/off example name, bedroom. If bedroom turns on with Alexa you are good to go on all counts.
The wiring part of the installation process is just as described in the packaging, simple and straight forward. The software side however is not so simple or straight forward for many self-included. While some here have had success on the first try others have tried and tried with no success. We may follow the instructions precisely but we encountered issues along the way. As said I tried a half dozen times and was about to throw in the towel before it finally connected right and worked with Alexa and the app both.
FYI the official online instruction video put out by TP-Link posted to YouTube does a good job showing you how to connect the wiring but as for Wi-Fi/Alexa it is pretty thin to nonexistent on details. In fact not a single word said about Alexa integration?
For manual use of the switch you only press on the lower portion. Which doesn’t make a lot of sense based on the design they used? The upper switch is made in a stuck up position, looks like it is always on but isn’t the case. Just my opinion but they should have just gone with a single square or rectangle to press and not a fake up/down traditional switch look.
**regardless what the instructions or vids say you can use a metal face plate just fine with no impacts at all. We have a brushed nickel plate around ours (put on after setup was completed) and all is good. FYI i did start out with the enclosed plastic face plate so that had zero affect on Wi-Fi connection during setup.
Summary – If it hadn’t been for the trouble I had setting the software, Wi-Fi side of this up I would have given It five stars and recommended it to all, but there were issues. Consequently I’m not recommending it but I’m not saying don’t buy it either.
With this device it is kind of a gamble, a flip of the coin so to speak as to whether or not your experience setting it up will go smoothly, not so smoothly or not at all. Considering the price I think it is likely worth the gamble. At least if all else fails and it doesn’t work out you can easily return it with Amazon and try another model.