Help Guides
How do I set up a smart plug?
A smart plug is one of the easiest smart home devices to set up and also one of the most useful. The whole process takes about 10 minutes once you know the order of the steps.
Download the smart plug maker's app first (Kasa, Tapo, Amazon, Google Home, etc.). Plug the smart plug into an outlet. Open the app, tap Add Device, and let it find the plug. Type in your home Wi-Fi password (the plug needs the 2.4GHz network, not 5GHz). Name the plug something easy to remember. Done.
Smart plug still in the box because the app makes no sense? We handle smart home setup in Durham Region homes all the time. Give us a call.
Work through these in order
Download the app before you plug the smart plug in
Every smart plug comes with its own companion app (such as Kasa, Tapo, Wemo, Amazon, or the Google Home app). Open the App Store on iPhone or Play Store on Android, search for the brand name printed on the box, and install the free app. Create an account with your email address. Do this first, before you even unbox the plug, because some apps are fussy about the order.
Plug it into an outlet
Unbox the smart plug and push it into any normal wall outlet. You will see a small light on the front of the plug start to flash, usually blue or orange. The flashing light means the plug is in pairing mode, ready to connect to your Wi-Fi. If the light is steady instead of flashing, hold the button on the side of the plug for five seconds to reset it into pairing mode.
Connect it to your Wi-Fi through the app
Open the app you installed in step 1 and tap Add Device (sometimes called the plus icon). The app will scan for nearby smart plugs and find yours. Tap it. The app will ask for your Wi-Fi name and password. Type them in. Most smart plugs only work on the slower 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network, not 5GHz. If your router has them under separate names, pick the 2.4GHz one. The plug takes about 60 seconds to connect and then the flashing light turns steady.
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Book a VisitGive the plug a name you will remember
The app will ask what you want to call the plug. Pick something specific and easy to say out loud, like "Living Room Lamp" or "Kitchen Coffee Maker". If you plan to control it with Alexa or Google Home later, the name is what you will say. "Smart Plug 1" is a terrible name. "Bedroom Lamp" is a great name.
Set a schedule (optional but useful)
The whole point of a smart plug is that you can turn things on and off on a schedule. In the app, tap your new plug, tap Schedule or Automation, and pick the times you want it to turn on and off. Common uses: a lamp that turns on at sunset, a coffee machine that turns on at 7 am, a Christmas tree that turns off at bedtime. You can change the schedule any time from your phone.
Ask Alexa or Google Home to control it (optional)
If you already have an Amazon Echo or Google Home speaker, you can link the smart plug so you can say "Alexa, turn on the living room lamp" instead of opening the app. Open the Alexa or Google Home app, go to Settings, Devices, and tap Add. Find your smart plug brand and sign in with the same account you used in step 1. The speaker will find the plug within a minute. Our Google Home and Alexa guide walks through this.
When to call us instead
Call us if the smart plug cannot find your Wi-Fi, if the app is refusing to pair, or if you have bought several smart home devices and would rather have someone set them all up properly in one visit. We handle smart home setup as part of our printer and smart home service across Ajax, Pickering, Whitby and Oshawa.
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Common questions about smart plugs
- Why does the smart plug only work on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi?
Most smart plugs use older, cheaper Wi-Fi chips because they only need to send small amounts of data (on or off commands). Those chips only support the slower 2.4GHz network. This is normal and not a problem. If your router has combined the 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks under one name, the plug usually connects fine.
- Can I use a smart plug with any appliance?
Mostly yes, for lamps, fans, coffee machines, Christmas lights, chargers, and most small electronics. Do not use one for anything that must not be turned off unexpectedly, like a fridge, freezer, medical equipment, or anything with a motor that could be damaged by sudden power loss. Smart plugs are also rated for a certain maximum power (usually 10 or 15 amps), so avoid using them for heaters or big kitchen appliances.
- What happens if my Wi-Fi goes down? Does the smart plug still work?
The plug stays in whatever state it was last in (on or off), but you cannot control it from the app or with a voice command until Wi-Fi comes back. If you use a physical button on the plug itself, it still works as a normal on/off switch. This is worth knowing if you rely on a smart plug for a daily routine.