Alexa Can’t Discover TP Link Plug? Here’s How To Fix!

Alexa can’t discover TP Link plug because the device is not set up properly.

Users need to connect the TP-link with the Kasa application first for Alexa to be able to discover the plug.

When Alexa can’t discover the TP-Link plug the solution includes restarting both devices and reconnecting them to the same WiFi network. Further methods include reinstallation of the respective application or reverting the devices to factory default.

Let’s learn more about why Alexa can’t discover the TP-link plug first:

Why Alexa Can’t Discover TP Link Plug?

For this problem, there could be multiple explanations.

The setup process of your smart plugs and Alexa consists of several important factors, and in case something is wrong, Alexa won’t be able to discover the plugs.

Here’s what may be preventing Alexa to discover your TP-Link plugs:

1. Smart Plug Not Turned On

Your TP-Link smart plug must be turned on while Alexa is searching for devices of those types.

2. Accounts Are Not Linked

You must link your TP-Link account with the one on Amazon to enable discovery mode for TP-Link devices.

3. Devices Not On Same Network

Both your plug and the Amazon Alexa product must be connected to the same network for the discovery mode to work.

Let’s now learn how you can fix this problem:

How To Fix When Alexa Can’t Find TP Link Smart Plug?

To solve the problem let’s start with setting up the TP-Link Plug correctly:

Solution #1 Setup TP-Link Plug With The Kasa App

In case you’ve already undergone a successful setup process, feel free to jump to the next solution.

However, without the proper setup, Alexa won’t discover the plug so let’s go into the Amazon Alexa application and attempt to set up the plug from there.

Here’s how to set up your TP-Link smart plug through the Kasa app:

1. First, download and install the Kasa app on your mobile device.
2. Connect your smartphone only to a 2.4GHz WiFi.
3. Connect the smart plug to a power source.
4. Open the Kasa app.
5. Login or create a registration that you will later use with Amazon.
6. Go to the plus sign and choose “Add Device”.
7. Select Smart Plug and choose the first option in the list.
8. Bring your phone closer to the plug and just wait.
9. Follow the rest of the on-screen instructions to connect the plug to the internet.

Note: Once the plug is added to the Kasa application, Amazon Alexa should be able to discover the device.

Solution #2 Link Your TP-Link Account

If you hadn’t linked your TP-Link account to Amazon Alexa, the speaker device won’t be able to discover and validate your smart plug.

By linking both of the accounts, you will enable the Alexa skill that allows the device to search for those types of smart plugs.

Now, let’s get into the Amazon Alexa app and get your Kasa account linked:

1. Open the Amazon Alexa app.
2. Go to “Setup”.
3. Choose “Add Device”.
4. Select the brand – “TP-Link”.
5. Choose the type of your smart plug.
6. Wait to be redirected to the TP-Link official’s page.
7. Enter the credentials for your registration in the Kasa app.
8. Tap on the “Link” button.
9. Wait to be redirected to the results page (close the page to complete linking).
10. Once back in the Amazon Alexa app, press “Discover”.
11. Let Alexa search for your smart plug.

Note: Ensure that your TP-Link smart plug is connected to power and is turned on.

Solution #3 Hard Reset The Plug/Alexa

Before you proceed any further, you should perform a hard reset, both on your TP-Link smart plug and Alexa assistant.

This will power cycle both of the devices and fix possible operating system issues interfering with the connection.

Let’s begin with power cycling your smart plug:

How To Hard Reset TP-Link Smart Plugs?

1. Unplug the smart plug from the power source.
2. Wait for 5 minutes.
3. Reconnect the smart plug once it feels cold on the touch (thus, discharged).

How To Hard Reset Alexa Device?

1. Go over to the device that is running the Alexa assistant.
2. Unplug its power adapter from the source.
3. Wait for another 5 minutes while the device discharges.
4. Re-attach its power adapter to the power source.
5. Check if the issue has been fixed.

Note: Test discovering the smart plug with Alexa when both devices are power-cycled.

Solution #4 Connect Both Devices To The Same Network

Since you’ve already established your TP-Link smart plug’s connection previously, you must connect Alexa to the same WiFi as your plug to discover the device.

Both devices use WiFi, so they need to be on the same network to become eligible for connection.

Here’s how to get Alexa reconnected to the correct WiFi:

1. Open the Amazon Alexa app.
2. Choose the “Devices” page.
3. Select the assistant you wish to connect the smart plug to.
4. Choose “WiFi”.
5. Select “Choose different WiFi”.
6. Once on the WiFi discovery page, select the WiFi that your smart plug is paired with.
7. Insert the password.
8. Hit “Connect” and wait for Alexa to get reconnected.
9. Retry the discovery process with the smart plug.

Important: Make sure that your WiFi internet is intact before proceeding further.

Solution #5 Reinstall The Amazon Alexa App

There could be a problem with the Amazon Alexa app, that’s preventing the assistant from discovering the smart plug.

An easy solution to this problem is to reinstall the Alexa app and check whether that would solve the problem.

Here’s how to reinstall the Amazon Alexa app in step-by-step:

1. Open the storage unit of your mobile smartphone.
2. Go to the app section.
3. Locate the Amazon Alexa app and delete it.
4. Head back to the app store and reinstall the platform.
5. Launch the app.
6. Sign in with your account.
7. Reconnect the Alexa assistant to the account.
8. Attempt discovering the smart plug and adding it to the profile.

Alert: Make sure that you’re selecting the correct device category in the Alexa application.

Solution #6 Factory Reset Smart Plug/Alexa

In case nothing so far managed to help, you should execute a factory reset on your TP-Link smart plug and then on the Alexa device.

Keep in mind that a factory reset is going to disconnect the devices from all sources and erase all of their settings and configurations.

Let’s begin with a factory reset on your TP-Link smart plug:

How To Reset TP-Link Smart Plug?

1. Ensure that the plug is connected to power.
2. Locate the factory reset button on the device’s side panel.
3. Press and hold the button for about 5 seconds to initiate the smart-config process.
4. Press the button for another 10 seconds, to factory reset the device.

How To Reset Alexa Device?

1. Open the Alexa app.
2. Go to Devices.
3. Select “Echo & Alexa”.
4. Select the speaker you wish to reset.
5. Scroll down and choose “Factory Reset”.
6. Confirm that you want to reset your Alexa device.

Once both devices are reset, re-attempt to establish the Alexa to TP-Link Plug connection.

Don’t forget that you’ll need to carry out the initial setup for both devices since the factory reset reverts everything back to default. 

Only when everything is set up, you’ll be able to connect.

Quick Recap:

Whenever Alexa can’t discover and connect to a TP-Link plug, users need to set up the plug in the Kasa app and link account. In addition, both devices have to be connected to one WiFi and only then Alexa will be able to discover and connect to the TP-Link plug.

Read Next: Alexa Not Detecting Harmony Hub?

Bottom Line:

When Alexa can’t discover TP Link plug the problem can easily be identified by following the solutions above.

We made sure to address each possibility so make sure that you didn’t miss anything essential.

For more relevant posts, check the topics on your online technical blog!