Can't Connect Your Tp Link Device to Alexa?
Integrating your Tp Link smart devices with Amazon Alexa allows for convenient voice control, but sometimes the connection process doesn't go as planned. If Alexa is telling you that your device is not compatible or is failing to discover it, there is usually a straightforward solution. This guide will help you troubleshoot and successfully link your Tp Link Kasa and Tapo products with Alexa.
## Understanding Tp Link and Alexa Compatibility
The core of most compatibility issues lies in a simple misunderstanding: Tp Link manages two different smart home ecosystems.
- Kasa Smart: This is one of Tp Link's popular smart home brands. It has its own app and its own Alexa skill.
- Tapo: This is another distinct smart home brand from Tp Link, also with its own app and a separate Alexa skill.
You must use the skill that matches your product's brand. You cannot use the Tapo skill for a Kasa device, or vice versa.
How to Fix Alexa Compatibility and Discovery Issues
Follow these organised steps to create a successful link between your devices.
### 1. Enable the Correct Alexa Skill
This is the most critical step.
- Open the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone.
- Go to the "More" tab and select "Skills & Games."
- Tap the search icon and type either "Kasa" or "Tapo", depending on the device you own.
- Select the correct skill from the search results. It should be published by Tp Link.
- Tap "Enable to Use" and you will be prompted to enter the login details for your Kasa or Tapo account. Use the same username and password that you use for the device's own app.
### 2. Run Device Discovery
Once the skill is enabled and your account is linked, you need to tell Alexa to look for your devices.
- You can either tap the "Discover Devices" button that appears after enabling the skill, or you can simply say to your Echo device, "Alexa, discover devices."
- The process can take up to 45 seconds. Alexa will confirm once the search is complete and new devices have been found.
### 3. Troubleshooting When a Device Isn't Found
If Alexa's discovery process comes up empty, work through this checklist.
- Check Wi-Fi Network: Your Tp Link device and your Amazon Echo device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Enable Remote Control: Open the Kasa or Tapo app, go to the settings for your specific device, and ensure that the "Remote Control" option is turned on. This allows Alexa to control the device when you are not on your home network and is essential for the integration to work.
- Power Cycle Your Device: Sometimes a simple reboot is all that's needed. Unplug your Tp Link smart plug, bulb, or camera from the power source, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Then try the discovery process again.
### 4. Fixing an "Unresponsive" Device
If the device was previously working but now shows as "unresponsive" in the Alexa app, this indicates a communication failure.
- Check Device Status: First, check if you can still control the device using its native Kasa or Tapo app. If you can't, the issue is with the device's connection to your network, not with Alexa.
- Disable and Re-enable Skill: The link between Amazon and Tp Link may need to be refreshed. In the Alexa app, disable the Kasa or Tapo skill, and then immediately re-enable it, logging in again. You may need to run device discovery afterwards.