A Kasa smart plug that clicks on and off can be disheartening; you can’t control your lights and other electronics remotely as usual.
With the sockets and wiring intact, unraveling the cause of the problem can be challenging.
Where should you start to get the smart plug functioning again?
Your Kasa smart plug is9 Reasons Why Your Arlo Essential Isn’t Recording (2023) clicking on and off due to poor WiFi connection, overloading, outdated software, or a faulty socket or plug. These issues tamper with signal propagation in the smart plug, making it unstable.
In the rest of this article, I’ll discuss how to address the issue of a smart plug clicking on and off.
We’ll talk about what causes your Kasa Smart Plug to click on and off and how you can solve the problem.
Let’s get started!
Why is my Kasa smart plug clicking on and off? 6 reasons
#1: You have poor WiFi connection
Smart plugs use WiFi to connect to the internet and your home appliances.
They need stronger signals with comprehensive coverage and the ability to penetrate walls.
As a result, these devices need 2.4 GHz WiFi with a bandwidth ranging between 50 and 70 Mbps.
If you live in an expansive home or one with several walls, the WiFi router might not be able to reach the smart plug. The same applies if other devices are using up the bandwidth in your home.
The first step is to check whether the WiFi connection is working and has enough strength for the Kasa smart plug by:
- Opening a different app or website. Use your phone connected to the WiFi to open a separate app or website. If it opens, then the WiFi is working, and the problem might be coverage.
- Shorten the distance between the smart plug and the router. Try bringing the router closer to the smart plug. The issue should resolve if the router was too far, causing poor connectivity.
Read also: 4 Reasons Your Smart Plug Turns On By Itself + Tips
#2: Your smart plug’s software isn’t updated
Smart plugs have regular software updates that improve their performance and security.
You might need to update the software if it’s outdated and causing the plug to click on and off.
Although software updates should update automatically, sometimes this might not be the case, especially if you have unchecked the automatic updates option.
You can check and update your smart plug’s firmware using the below procedure:
- Open the Kasa app on your phone.
- Click Device Settings.
- Navigate to firmware updates.
- Check to see if there is the latest update that needs to be installed.
- If there is, click it and follow the prompts to install.
The video below demonstrates how to check and update a Kasa smart plug firmware:
#3: You have a faulty socket
A faulty socket means there is no steady power supply to your Kasa smart plug.
When this happens, the plug will click on when the power is supplied and off when it’s withdrawn. This is dangerous as it can lead to:
- Fires.
- Electrocution.
- Damaged appliances.
Don’t use the socket if you notice it’s faulty. You can identify a defective socket by:
- Visual inspection. Look for any signs of wear and tear, such as cracks, burn marks, frayed wires, or missing parts. If you see any of these, then the socket is faulty.
- Checking for power. Put the plug into the socket and check if it’s receiving power by looking at the LED light. There might be an issue with the socket if the light doesn’t turn on.
- Crackling sounds. A crackling sound indicates poor wiring, which is risky for your home. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) denotes that more than two-thirds of home fires result from poor wiring.
Therefore, you should get a qualified electrician to fix the socket if you notice any of these signs.
Such signs indicate that the Kasa smart plug is not receiving sufficient power.
Further reading: Do Smart Plugs Go Bad Over Time? (Updated Guide)
#4: The Domain Name System (DNS) needs to be reset
The Domain Name System (DNS) is a phonebook for the internet. It converts domain names (such as example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to communicate with each other.
If the DNS server is not working, your smart plug might click on and off.
You can try fixing this by resetting the DNS server on your router.
Alternatively, you can reset your network setting if your router has this option.
#5: You have too many connected devices
It’s possible to overload your smart plug if you have a large home with many devices to manage.
Apart from the number of connected devices, you can overload your smart plug by plugging in a heavyweight appliance.
When this happens, the smart plug will click on and off as it tries to provide power to all the devices.
The fix is to reduce the number of devices connected to your smart plug or get a more powerful one.
You can unplug some of the devices or turn them off at the socket if you have multiple devices plugged into one smart plug.
You might also want to consider investing in a more powerful smart plug that can handle more devices if you have a lot of devices in your home.
#6: Your smart plug needs to be replaced
Replacing your Kasa smart plug is a pain in the neck. However, it might be the only solution if you have tried all other means without success.
A faulty smart plug will click on and off regardless of the socket or WiFi connection.
If you’ve tried all the other solutions and the problem persists, it may be time to replace your smart plug.
Faulty Kasa smart plugs can pose a fire hazard due to design flaws.
Thus, it might be best to cut your losses and buy a new one.
However, you should get in touch with the support team to rule out other possibilities before you replace the smart plug.
How smart plugs work
Smart plugs work by being connected to the outlet and a WiFi network.
Once these connections are made, you should plug a device into the smart plug and control it from your phone using the Kasa App.
You can also set a schedule for when the smart plug should be on or off.
The schedule can be based on time, day, or even location.
For example, you can set the smart plug to turn off at 11 PM every night or turn on whenever you’re within 500 ft (152.4 m) of your home.
This is how a smart plug works; usually, there shouldn’t be problems.
However, as with all technology, things can go wrong.
That’s why you have this guide to help fix the problem when your Kasa smart plug clicks on and off.
Final thoughts
The best way to resolve the issue of a Kasa smart plug clicking on and off is by first identifying the cause.
Once you know the cause, take the necessary steps to address it.
For instance, if you have a faulty socket, replace it with a new one.