How to set up a Kasa smart plug

TP-Link Kasa® Smart Plugs make it easy to control your devices from anywhere—whether you're turning on a lamp with your voice or setting a schedule for your coffee maker. But before you can start automating your routine, you'll need to get your smart plug connected. At Asurion, our experts help people set up and troubleshoot smart home tech every day. Here's how to set up your Kasa smart plug and start using it with your phone, Wi-Fi, or voice assistant.

What you need before you start

To set up the Kasa Smart Plug, you’ll need:

• A TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug
• A smartphone connected to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network
• The Kasa Smart® app and a TP-Link® account (Download the app from the Google Play Store™ or the App Store®)

Steps to set up your Kasa Smart Plug

Now that you have everything, here’s how to set up your Kasa Smart Plug.

Step 1: Plug in the smart plug and launch the app

1. Plug the Kasa Smart Plug into a wall outlet. The LED light should blink orange and blue, indicating it’s ready to connect.
2. On your smartphone, open the Kasa Smart app and sign in or create an account if you don’t have one.
3. Tap the + to add your smart plug to the Kasa app.
4. Click Add a Device > Smart Plug, and choose an icon according to your model number.

Step 2: Connect the plug to your Wi-Fi

1. Connect your phone to your smart plug’s Wi-Fi.
2. On Android™: Your phone should connect to the plug’s built-in hotspot automatically. If it doesn’t, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and manually connect to the smart plug network.
3. On iOS®: You must connect manually. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and select the network named TP-LINK_SmartPlug_XXX.
4. Open the Kasa app and continue with the setup.
5. When prompted, choose your home Wi-Fi network from the list and enter your password.
6. Wait while your plug receives the Wi-Fi credentials, disconnects from its hotspot, and goes online.
7. Confirm the setup is complete when the LED turns solid green or blue.

Step 3: Name your plug and start controlling it

1. Once your smart plug is online, the Kasa app will ask you to name it.
2. Choose a recognizable name for the plug. For example, if you’ll be connecting your coffee maker to it, you can name it “Coffee Maker.”
3. Assign the plug to a room to make voice assistant commands easier.
4. Now you can use the app to turn your plug on or off or schedule routines.

Troubleshooting tips

If you followed the instructions but your setup still doesn’t work, try these simple steps to get your Kasa Smart Plug up and running:

Enable Bluetooth and location services on your phone

Some Kasa plugs, like the Mini, use Bluetooth to speed up setup, while others connect through a temporary Wi-Fi hotspot. If you’re using Android™, the Kasa app also needs location services to scan for Wi-Fi networks—though it doesn’t track your location.

If Bluetooth or location is turned off, your phone may not detect the plug. To fix this, just turn on both features in your phone’s settings, then reopen the Kasa app and try again.

Confirm you’re on a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band

Kasa Smart Plugs only work with 2.4GHz networks. If your router also broadcasts 5GHz, double-check that your phone is connected to the correct band.

Reset the plug and try again

Sometimes, all you need to do is reset your Kasa Smart Plug and set it up again from scratch. If you're still having trouble, contact our knowledgeable tech experts.

FAQ

How do I reset the smart plug if it’s not connecting?

Hold the reset button on the side of the device until the LED blinks orange and blue. Once the blinking stops, your device will reset to factory settings, allowing you to start the setup process fresh.

Can I schedule or automate when the plug turns on and off?

Yes, in the Kasa Smart app, you can create schedules and even routines that sync with sunrise and sunset. If you use Alexa or Google Assistant, you can also tie your plug into broader smart home automations.

Will the smart plug remember settings after a power outage?

Yes, once power is restored, your plug will reconnect to Wi-Fi and keep your schedules and automations.