Smart plugs are one of the simplest (and most affordable) ways to bring smart home functionality into your home. They are also one of the most versatile, allowing you to turn “dumb” devices into smarts just by controlling the flow of electricity. It’s a great way to get smart lighting at a low cost by plugging in a light or giving yourself peace of mind by knowing instantly whether the iron is on or off.
Unfortunately, a glitch occurs. Wi-Fi loss, bad signal, or any of the dozens of potential causes can make it difficult for Amazon to find your smart plug. Whether you’re having trouble setting up your device, or it’s not giving you the control you expect, try these steps to fix when the Amazon smart plug isn’t responding.
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Make sure the device is up to date
The first step you should take if you encounter any errors is to make sure both the Amazon Alexa app and the Amazon Smart Plug updated to the latest version. The Amazon Alexa app will prompt you to update when an update is available.
Your Amazon Smart Plug will also automatically update over Wi-Fi when an update is released, but if not, unplug the device for about 15 seconds and then plug it back in. This will prompt for an update.
You can also choose your smart plug from Device menu inside the Amazon Alexa app. Tap the gear icon in the upper right corner and compare Device software version arrive latest release for your smart plug.
Avoid potential errors during setup
Setting up most Alexa-compatible and Amazon-branded smart devices is a straightforward process. However, the error still occurs. You can take steps to ensure a smooth setup.
First, make sure you keep your phone within 30 feet of the smart plug during setup. This will help prevent any problems caused by being too far away from a good connection. Once the smart plug is set up and connected to your network, you can control it remotely.
Turn off low power or save power mode on your phone during setup. If you need to charge your mobile device for a few minutes before you start setting up, do so.
If you’re using barcodes to set up your device, try using the barcode from the quick start guide instead of the barcode on the back of the Amazon Smart Plug. This ensures you don’t need to unplug your device to scan the code.
Make sure the plugs are powered
Depending on the layout of your home, power to the outlets can be controlled via a wall switch. If your Amazon smart plug is unresponsive, make sure the outlet it’s plugged into has power.
If your home doesn’t control the current to the outlets in this way, make sure the sockets work by plugging in something like a light. If the outlet has no power, it could mean a fuse has been blown or a short in the wiring to the outlet.
If you have experience working with electricity, you can also use a voltmeter to measure electrical power and check if the outlet is working.
Reset your router
In many cases, unresponsive smart home devices can be remedied simply by restarting your router. The exact process for resetting a router varies between models, but you can reset your router simply by unplugging it and plugging it back in.
Doing so will cause the router to reconnect to all devices on your Wi-Fi network, and this process clears out any glitches that might have caused communication problems between your devices.
Reset smart plug to factory settings
If all else fails, you can reset the smart plug to factory settings. Doing so will deregister the device from your account and force you to repeat the setup process, so consider this as the last option.
To initiate the reset, look for the button on the side Amazon Smart Plug. Press and hold it for 12 seconds. The LED on the plug will start flashing red and blue. When it reaches this point, you can set up the plug one more time.
Here you have it. If you’re having trouble with the Amazon Smart Plug, try these five steps to fix any issues you may be having. If nothing else, resetting the device is a cure-all, although it is slightly more effective than other solutions.
