Tapo Smart Plug Not Connecting to WiFi? this fix worked!

Last updated Sep 17, 2024

You decide to purchase a Tapo Wi- Fi Mini Smart Plug P105, and are very happy that its features meet your needs.

However, your joy is short lived as you find that your Tapo Smart Plug is not connecting to Wi-Fi. You are sad to see your Tapo Smart Plug working an unstable manner or losing connection from time to time and you ask yourself why your Tapo Smart Plug does not connect to Wi-Fi.

Why is my tapo smart plug not connecting to wifi?

Table of Contents

Here are some reasons explaining why your Tapo Smart Plug is not connecting to Wi-Fi and solutions to prevent and remedy this error.

These fixes should help you restore Wi-Fi Connectivity to your Tapo Smart Plug and you can enjoy it once more.

1. Confirm that your router is working properly.

Check whether the Wi-Fi network labels “2.4G” and “5G,” “WLAN,” or “Wireless.” are on and Wi-Fi light colors are on, white, or blinking. If your Wi-Fi (s) are off or red, your router isn’t broadcasting a signal.

Fix – Restart/power cycling the router

Restarting the router can sometimes help fix internet connectivity issues. If your router has been off for quite some time, a quick restart could just restore it to working condition.

To power cycle your router, follow these steps:

Disconnect the modem and router from the power outlet.
Wait at least 15 seconds.
Connect the modem back into the power outlet first, wait 1-2 minutes,
Then power on the router.
Wait for all panel lights on your cable modem to change color before testing your internet connection.

Fix 2 – Reboot tapo smart plug

To factory reset the smart plug, press and hold the power button for at least 5 seconds until the LED blinks orange and green.

After both have rebooted check to see if the Tapo Smart Plug reconnects to Wi-Fi.

2. Ensure that your tapo smart plug is receiving a good wifi signal

You can know the value of your Wi-Fi signal strength by checking RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator).

Go to Tapo APP
Tap in the top left on the setting gear icon
Select Device Settings
Click Device info
Tap Wi-Fi icon to see signal strength (the value of RSSI)
- 1. Strong Wi-Fi-signal strength: more than -50 dBm
  2. Good to Average Wi-Fi signal strength: among -70 dBm to-50 dBm
  3. Poor Wi-Fi signal strength: less than -70 dBm

If RSSI is less than -70dBm, the signal is too weak and device disconnections are highly likely to occur.

Fix – Relocate the smart device or router to get a stronger Wi-Fi signal.

3. Update the firmware of the Tapo Smart Plug

Set the Auto Update time to update the firmware automatically for optimal performance.

Before you begin log into the Tapo app with your cloud account and make sure you can control your Smart Plug and do not power off your smart device during the update.

To Auto Update the Tapo P110:

On the Home page, click on your plug model card to go to the plug control panel.
Hit the icon at the top right corner to go to the Device Settings page.
Select Firmware Update on the Device Settings page to check for updating the firmware and customizing Auto Update Time.

Note that not every smart device supports the Auto Update feature and you can turn off the Auto Update feature according to your needs.

You can also use your TP-link Account under Firmware Update to check for updates or update the firmware.

4. Confirm that Tapo App is up to date in the AppStore or Google Play

For Android devices:

Open the Google Play Store app on your phone.
Search for the Tapo app
Scroll down to the “Additional Information” section on the app’s page.
Look for the “Updated” date to see when the app was last updated.

For iPhones

Open the App Store.
Click on your profile icon at the top of the screen.
Scroll to view pending updates and release notes.
Tap Update next to Tapo app to update only that app, or tap Update All.
Verify that you have clicked on the right Smart Plug model

When you click the wrong smart plug model, Wi-Fi will not be able to connect to the right device in the Tapo app.

5. Make sure your Smart Plug is on the Allowed Device List of your router

Check what your router logs say when you search for the Tapo Smart Plug’s MAC address? Is it accidentally on a restricted list?

How to find your MAC Address

Locate the home page of the Tapo app.
Press your smart device to enter the Status page.
Click the gear icon on the top right to enter the Device Settings page.
select Device Info on the Device Settings page.
Then you can find the IP address and MAC address of your smart device.

6. Ensure that your home Wi-Fi network is a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network.

The Tapo Smart Plug does not support a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection. If Smart plugs were compatible with 5GHz they would need dual-band Wi-Fi chips and more antennas, thus making them pricier and lowering their connection distance.

7. Try setting up Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Plug on a different router

Try to configure the smart device to another router’s 2.4G Wi-Fi or a mobile Hotspot Wi-Fi to verify whether this issue is related to the specific router.

8. Make sure you followed all the correct set-up steps for Tapo P100 Smart Plug or whatever Tapo model you have

To get started connect Tapo Smart Plug into the power source
Then plug in the device you want to control into the Tapo Smart Plug
Before Set up make sure you have enabled Bluetooth
Also verify that you have downloaded and opened the Tapo app on your phone by scanning the QR code on the box or searching for it in AppStore
Create a Tapo app account and log in
Add Device
Select Smart Plug
The Power Up your Smart Device page opens. Locate your Smart Plug and check to see the LED light is blinking green and orange.
Tap the Already Orange and Green button on app
If not Press the button on Tapo P100 smart plug for ten seconds to reset until you see the blinking
Connect Tapo P100 to your home network
Click on NEXT. A pop up box will ask “Tapo wants to join XXXX (network name)” Click Yes
The Tapo P100 Smart Plug will connect. Click on Next
Name the Device or Appliance you
Choose the room that it’s in
Select an Icon for it
Complete page appears. Configuration is now complete and you can now control your appliances
Now try to turn the device on and off with your phone.
You also set up schedule, Away mode and timer

Specific Problems You Could Be Having

You are unable to find your home Wi-Fi network?

Follow these steps.

If it doesn’t show the Wi-Fi name of the router automatically, click on “RESCAN” at the upper right corner to refresh the Wi-Fi list.
If the router’s SSID is hidden, please choose “Other” to input SSID and password manually.
Change the wireless channel of the 2.4G Wi-Fi network to 1, 6 or 11.
Reset the device as per QIG/UG and repeat

You are unable to connect to your home network?

If you find unable to connect your Tapo Smart Plug to your Home Network here is a checklist of questions to troubleshoot this error.

1. Have you selected the correct home Wi-Fi network and have youentered a correct wireless password?

If the Wi-Fi network or password is incorrect, click on “Choose a Network” and select the Wi-Fi network again.

1. Is your Tapo Smart Plug within the Wi-Fi range of your router?
2. Have you tried to turn your phone or tablet’s Bluetooth off and back on?
3. Have you tried to reset the Smart Plug as per UG/QIG, and then set it up again?
4. Have you checked if there is a firewall on your router?

If the answer is yes, turn it off.

1. Have you changed the wireless security type of the 2.4G network to WPA2 and see if there is any change?
2. Have you tried to connect the Tapo plug to the hotspot of your cell phone or another Wi- Fi network?

If it works, you need to upgrade the firmware for the plug, then reset and reconnect it to your router.

Your app is unable to locate the Tapo Smart Plug device?

1. Make sure that the Smart Plug is powered on
2. Move your phone or tablet closer to the Smart Plug
3. Switch off your phone’s Bluetooth, then switch it again
4. If the problem persists, restart the Smart Plug

Look at the LED lights to show Status of your Tapo Smart Plug

Solid green or Solid Orange

Make sure your phone or tablet is connected to the network.

Fix – If not tap Try Again button

Orange Blinks

You have entered an incorrect password or the network was unstable.

Fix – Restart the set-up and the Tapo Smart Plug again

Green blinks or orange/red blinks

You did not do a good pairing of device and smart plug. You need restart the Set Up and add the Tapo Smart Plug again.