How to Fix Kasa Smart Plug Orange Light? (08 Easy Solutions)

Sometimes, the Kasa Smart Plug shows an orange light. Why is that happening?

Kasa Smart Plugs are powerful because they allow you to turn many devices into smart gadgets. But sometimes, they become unresponsive, and you can see they have a persistent orange light.

To fix the Kasa smart plug orange light issue adjust the Wi-Fi settings and update the smart plug’s firmware, potentially requiring a hard reset.

You can learn all the tricks and tips for your Kasa Smart Plug below!

Kasa Smart Plug Orange Light – 8 Quick Solutions!

Solution #1: Ensure The Correct Frequency

Are you seeing the Kasa Smart Plug solid orange light? That usually means a Wi-Fi problem.

The error can be related to using an improper frequency, which is a common occurrence if your phone is always connected to 5GHz.

So let’s fix it by doing this:

1. Open the Kasa app.
2. Locate the Devices section.
3. Click on your Kasa Smart Plug.
4. Choose to disconnect it from the app.
5. Go to the phone’s Wi-Fi settings.
6. Switch to the 2.4GHz frequency.

As you can see, it is necessary not only to change your phone’s frequency.

You need a soft reset so the device can pick up the new frequency. After that, the orange/amber light should go away.

Solution #2: Verify The Connection Strength (On The App)

Okay, the problem is with the connection, but the frequency is correct.

In that case, checking the connection strength between your Kasa Smart Plug and the router is necessary.

Fortunately, that is quick and easy to access through the Kasa app.

Here are the steps:

1. Open the Kasa app.
2. Locate the Devices section.
3. Click on the Kasa Smart Plug.
4. Locate “Network info.”
5. Check how much dBm the device is receiving.

According to Kasa/TP-LINK, the minimum dBm is -50. Anything below that means the Plug receives less data than necessary to work correctly.

Thus, move the router closer to the Plug or vice versa.

Solution #3: Turn Off The Router’s Advanced Settings

Depending on the type of router you have, it probably has some advanced settings.

They might be factory defaulted, or you have set them up for a good reason.

But right now, they could be the reason your Kasa Smart Plug is unresponsive.

So do the following:

1. Enter your router’s IP address into a browser.
2. Go to the router’s advanced Wi-Fi settings.
3. Locate settings such as Band Steering, Smart Connect, Whole-Home Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Optimizing, and Channel Optimization.
4. Turn those off, OR turn each one off and test to see if it makes a difference.

Note: Different brands may use varied names for settings. Check descriptions or seek similar terms. TP-Link routers, for instance, possess these features.

Solution #4: Adjust The DNS Settings (On Your Router)

Another cause of the connection issues present in your Kasa Smart Plug and producing the amber light is the DNS.

Any DNS setting is usually fine, and many people never have to worry about the DNS address of their computers, phones, or routers.

But it is worth doing the following if none of the other solutions worked so far:

1. Enter your router’s IP address into a browser.
2. Locate the DNS settings.
3. Enter 8.8.8.8 as the primary DNS.
4. Enter 8.8.4.4 as the secondary DNS.
5. Save the settings and exit.

Your router will probably restart once you have saved the settings (depending on the brand).

If it doesn’t, restarting it is a great call. Then, check how your Kasa Smart Plug behaves afterward.

Solution #5: Eliminate Interference

Connection issues that trigger the Kasa’s orange/amber solid light are also caused by interference.

Sources of interference are various, and they will “clog” the data channels.

Here are some sources of interference you should try to eliminate:

• Thick walls or too much furniture between your Smart Plug and the router.
• There are too many smart devices using the same router in your house.

Then, a good idea is to turn off some smart devices and see if the Kasa Smart Plug receives the necessary data.

Channel Interference

Yet another source of interference is caused without intention by your neighbors.

Their routers are geared to the same channel as yours, so they are all trying to share data in the same channel. That causes conflicts, and some devices suffer from it.

Here is how to diagnose it:

1. Install NetSpot software on a MacBook or Windows PC.
2. Open the software.
3. Scan for active channels.
4. Take note of frequently used nearby channels.

Are your neighbors using the same channel as you? Then bingo! Now, you have to change the channel to a non-used or less-used one.

How To Change The Channel?

Once you have diagnosed the issue, it is time to move to the solution. First, you will need to locate your router’s label to check its IP address.

Then:

1. Open your web browser.
2. Enter the router’s IP address.
3. Access “Wireless settings.”
4. Choose “Channels” for the affected frequency.
5. Select a channel with less neighbor activity.

Perhaps you can find a channel that is completely free. Then, choose it and save the settings.

Wait for the router to restart and see how your Kasa Smart Plug responds after that.

Solution #6: Check The App Permissions

Still, considering that the issue is network-related, it is highly possible that your phone is blocking the app/device from connecting to the internet.

Although it says the device is connected, it is not truly. That has to do with the permissions which you must manage.

Allow Permissions On Android

Android blocks the network access for some apps, but you can override that easily by following these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Navigate to the “Apps” section.
3. Locate and select the Kasa app.
4. Tap on the “Permissions” option.
5. You’ll find a list of permissions the app has granted or denied.
6. To change a permission setting, simply tap on the specific permission.
7. You’ll be presented with “Allow” or “Don’t allow.” 

Enable Permissions On iOS

iOS has security settings very similar to Android, and you can do the following:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to Privacy.
3. Head to the “Local Network” setting.
4. A list of apps will be displayed.
5. Allow local network access to the Kasa app.

Solution #7: Update The Firmware

As discussed throughout the article, the issue might be connection- or software-related.

If the connection is fine after all the solutions above, but the Kasa Smart Plug keeps refusing to work, you must check the firmware!

The first step is updating it and downloading all the necessary data it needs to communicate effectively:

1. Ensure the Plug is connected to the Kasa app on your phone.
2. Open the app.
3. Go to “Me” at the bottom right.
4. Locate “Firmware update.”
5. Check if an update is available for the Smart Plug;

If the update is available, choose to download it and leave the app working with the Smart Plug while the process happens.

When it finishes, check if any major changes happen in the device’s behavior.

Solution #8: Reset The Device

The worst solution whenever you have a smart device is resetting it completely.

Although it is usually a life savior, it implies erasing all the data you have of it on the associated app and on the device itself.

Only try the method below if nothing else has worked so far.

1. Locate the Smart Plug’s control button.
2. Hold the control button for 5 seconds so you can enable the setup mode on the device.
3. Release the button.
4. Hold the control button for 10 seconds this time.

After that, the device is ready to be reconfigured on the Kasa app. Your phone should recognize it without issues, but remember to connect to a 2.4GHz network!

Quick Recap

Kasa Smart Plug shows an orange light to tell you something is wrong with the Wi-Fi connection or the software.

Usually, it will not respond to any commands when the orange light shows up and stays solid.

Thus, you must follow all the above recommendations to restore it to functioning mode.

The Kasa Smart Plug should show no other issues if you follow the above guide closely!