The Kasa Smart Plug has been one of the most popular smart plugs for many years. It’s easy to set up, works with Alexa and Google Assistant, and doesn’t cost much at all.
So, if you just purchased the Kasa Smart plug, chances are that you’ll be able to connect it easily to your home network, but there might be times when you get an error message saying that the device only works locally.
If this happens to you too, don’t worry because here are some of the reasons why your Kasa smart plug says local only.
So, if you have ever asked yourself, “Why does my Kasa smart plug say local only?” We will reveal the 7 main reasons why it does and how to fix it!
Table of Contents
7 Main Reasons Why Your Kasa Smart Plug Says Local Only
1. The Kasa Smart Plug is not compatible with certain routers
The Kasa Smart Plug is not compatible with certain routers, so you’ll need to be sure that your router can use WPA2-PSK Security or better.
The Kasa App requires 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and if your home network uses a different frequency (such as 5GHz), then it will not work with the Kasa app. The Kasa Smart Plug also needs access to your router’s DHCP server to operate.
Lastly, the smart plug can only connect one device at a time; this means that if you have multiple devices connected to your wireless network, they must all have their unique SSID.
2. There may be a problem with your internet connection
Kasa smart plugs work by connecting to your home’s Wi-Fi network. If you are experiencing a problem with your internet connection, it can cause the plug to say local only. Try restarting your modem and router and see if that fixes the issue.
If not, try using another device on your home network like a laptop or tablet to connect to the internet and see if you have any connectivity issues then.
If so, you may need to contact your ISP for help with resolving this problem. Alternatively, if there is still no luck in solving the connectivity problems, try downloading the Kasa app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store and follow the installation instructions below to install the KASA app on iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch.
3. The Kasa Smart Plug might be too far from your router
One of the most common reasons for the Kasa app saying local only is that the plug might be too far from your router. If you have a huge home, this could be an issue.
Luckily, there are two things you can do to solve this problem.
First off, you should move the plug closer to your Wi-Fi router. Secondly, make sure it is in range of your Wi-Fi signal by opening up the Kasa app and going to Settings > Range extender settings. You can choose between automatic or manual mode and once you choose manual mode, tap on Scan now.
You will then see the wireless network name and password. Tap on Join now and enter the password into your wireless network as prompted before hitting connect. Once connected, you should see Range extended written below Manual at the top of the screen.
4.There could be interference from other devices
The Kasa app needs an internet connection to work. If the internet connection is down, there’s no way for the app to communicate with your Kasa smart plug.
It could also be that your Wi-Fi signal may not be strong enough in the area where you’re trying to connect.
There might be some interference from other devices on your home network such as a wireless printer or even a neighboring Wi-Fi network, which can cause connectivity issues with the Kasa app.
Make sure to close out any other apps running in the background and try opening the Kasa app again. You might also want to switch out of range and come back into range of your Wi-Fi network again, which can refresh the connection.
Another possibility is that you’ve created multiple accounts with different email addresses associated with them, which means they’re all competing for control over one account. To solve this problem, log out of all accounts except one and then log back into that account only.
5. The Kasa Smart Plug might need to be reset
If you’re facing issues with your Kasa Smart Plug, one option is to reset it. To do this, unplug the device from its power source for about 30 seconds and then plug it back in. You should also try turning off your internet connection or restarting your router.
Alternatively, you can uninstall and re-install the Kasa app.
6. You might need to update the firmware
The Kasa smart plug is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. To set up the device on your phone, you need to download the Kasa app from either the App Store or Google Play Store.
Once you have downloaded the app and installed it on your phone, it will prompt you to create an account. On this screen, enter your Wi-Fi password for your home network and tap next.
You will then be taken to a screen where you can connect your Kasa smart plug by tapping on the + button at the top of the screen. Tap Next and Connect when prompted. Your device should now be connected, but if it still says local only then you may need to update the firmware.
7. Check the channel and range on your router
One of the most common reasons why your Kasa smart plug says local only is because it’s not connected to the internet. If you have tried to reset your plug and the light on it doesn’t go green, this means that there is a problem with the Wi-Fi connection.
Make sure that you are in the range of your router or modem, and that there are no obstructions between them. Other factors may include interference from other devices, such as microwaves or cordless phones, which can cause interference with the wireless signal.
Sometimes these factors can be fixed by changing the channel on your router so that it has less interference from other devices. You may also want to contact your internet provider for assistance if you continue experiencing problems.
Why Does My Kasa Smart Plug Say Local Only? Final Thoughts
It’s important to note that sometimes, the Kasa app may not be able to connect with your plug because of a problem with WiFi or the internet connection. In this case, you should wait until you have a stable WiFi connection before opening the app again.
If you’re still having problems connecting your smart plug after checking your WiFi and internet connection, it might be that there is an issue with the plug. You can always contact customer service and they’ll be happy to help.
If you enjoyed this article, check out our “Can Kasa Smart Plugs Be Hacked?” article here!