TP-Link Kasa Smart Bulb Not Connecting to WiFi

TP-Link Kasa smart bulbs are popular for their ease of use, but WiFi connection issues during setup are common. If your Kasa bulb is not connecting to your WiFi network or the Kasa app cannot find your network, this guide will help you resolve the problem.

Common Causes

• 5GHz network - Kasa bulbs only work with 2.4GHz WiFi
• iOS local network permissions - The Kasa app needs permission to access your local network
• Too many devices - Network congestion can prevent new devices from connecting
• VPN interference - VPN apps can block local device discovery
• Bulb not in setup mode - The bulb may need a factory reset

How to Fix It

Step 1: Factory Reset the Bulb

If the bulb is not broadcasting its setup WiFi network (TP-Link Kasa Smart Bulb), perform a factory reset:

1. Turn the bulb off and on slowly, about 1 second each time
2. Repeat this 10 times
3. The bulb will blink 3 times to confirm the reset
4. The bulb should now broadcast its setup network

Step 2: Check iOS Permissions (iPhone/iPad)

iOS 14 and later require apps to have local network permission:

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad
2. Scroll down and tap Kasa
3. Find Local Network and make sure it is enabled
4. If it was already on, toggle it off and back on
5. Delete and reinstall the Kasa app if the setting does not appear

Step 3: Disable VPN

If you have any VPN software running (including apps like AdGuard, Lookout, or built-in VPN), disable it before setting up the bulb. VPNs can interfere with local network discovery.

Step 4: Connect to 2.4GHz Network

Kasa bulbs only support 2.4GHz WiFi. If your router broadcasts both 2.4GHz and 5GHz under the same network name, you may need to:

• Create a separate 2.4GHz-only network
• Move farther from the router during setup (2.4GHz has longer range)
• Temporarily disable the 5GHz band

Step 5: Reduce Network Congestion

If you have many devices connected to your 2.4GHz network (12-14 or more), try:

• Creating a second network and splitting devices between them
• Disconnecting unused devices temporarily during setup

Step 6: Try a Different Bulb Model in App

Some users have found success by selecting a different bulb series in the Kasa app during setup. If your specific model is not working, try selecting a similar model from the same series (for example, selecting KL100 series instead of KL110).

Test with Mobile Hotspot

To confirm the bulb is working, try connecting it to a 2.4GHz mobile hotspot from another phone. If it connects successfully, the issue is with your home network configuration.