Why Is My Kasa Smart Bulb Turning On By Itself?

Is your Kasa Smart Bulb annoying you with unasked light shows while all you want to do is sleep? Before you throw your pillow at it, take a deep breath and check out this quick guide to fix your Kasa Smart Bulb turning on by itself.

And no, it’s most likely not your sibling pulling a prank on you, but rather, a software glitch or misconfigured settings. Let’s explore all the possible reasons and some easy solutions for the same.

Why is my Kasa Smart Bulb Turning On by Itself?

Your Kasa Smart Bulb may turn on unexpectedly due to power interruptions, outdated software, loss of WiFi connectivity, or incorrectly set routines. Alternatively, your bulb and Kasa app may not be connected to the same Wi-Fi.

Addressing these issues can help prevent the bulb from turning on without user intervention.

So, let's break down each reason.

Best Ways to Troubleshoot and Fix Kasa Smart Bulb Turning On by Itself

1. Power Restored After an Outage

A common reason for smart bulbs turning on by themselves is a power outage. When there's a power outage, and the electricity is restored, some smart bulbs, including the Kasa Smart Bulb, might default to the ‘on' state. This is a safety feature in many bulbs to ensure they turn on in emergencies.

To prevent the Kasa Smart Bulb from turning on after a power interruption, follow these steps:

• Open the Kasa app.
• Select the bulb you want to configure under the All Devices tab.

• Go to the bulb's settings (usually represented by a gear icon).
• Look for an option labeled Power Recovery or something similar.
• Choose the Last State option, which ensures the bulb returns to its previous state (on or off) after a power interruption.
• Save the changes and exit the settings.

This will help ensure that your Kasa Smart Bulb remains off despite the power interruptions.

2. Wi-Fi Disconnection

A temporary loss of WiFi connection can disrupt the normal functioning of your Kasa Smart Bulb, causing it to revert to a default state, often the ‘on' position. This disconnection can be due to various reasons, including router placement, interference from other devices, or even outdated router firmware.

Ensuring a stable WiFi connection is crucial for the seamless operation of your Kasa Smart Bulb. Here's a detailed guide to help you with that:

1. Optimal Router Placement:

The location of your router plays a significant role in the strength and stability of the WiFi signal. Here’s what you can do to ensure your Wi-Fi is placed optimally:

• Place your router in a central location in your home to ensure even distribution of the WiFi signal throughout the house.
• Elevate the router by keeping it on a shelf or mounting it on a wall. This can help in better signal propagation.
• Keep the router away from walls and obstructions, especially those made of metal, as they can weaken the signal.

2. Minimize Interference:

Other electronic devices can interfere with your WiFi signal, causing disruptions. Doing the following can help you minimize such interference:

• Keep devices like cordless phones, microwaves, and baby monitors away from the router, as they operate on similar frequencies as WiFi.
• If possible, use a dual-band router and connect your devices to the 5GHz band, which is less crowded and less prone to interference.

3. Restart Your Router:

Restarting your routers helps clear any potential glitches and refreshes the connection. Here’s how to give fresh start to your router:

• Turn the router off by unplugging it or using the power button.
• Wait for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Turn the router back on and wait for all the lights to stabilize.

This will refresh your router and hopefully improve your Wi-Fi network.

4. Consider a WiFi Extender:

If your Kasa Smart Bulb is located far from the router, the WiFi signal might be weak, causing connectivity issues. Here’s what you can do. 

• Purchase a reputable WiFi extender compatible with your router.
• Place the extender halfway between the router and the bulb, ensuring it's within the range of the router's signal.
• Follow the extender's setup instructions, usually provided in the manual or through a dedicated app.

5. Check Connection in the Kasa App:

The bulb needs to be connected to the correct WiFi network to function properly.

Steps:

• Open the Kasa app on your phone.
• Navigate to the All Devices section and select the bulb in question.

• Check the WiFi network the bulb is connected to and make sure it is the same as the one on your phone. This is because your mobile phone/tablet (the device you are using for the Kasa app) and your Kasa bulb should be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for seamless communication.
• If it's connected to the wrong network, follow the app's instructions to change the network.

By following these detailed steps, you can ensure a stable WiFi connection for your Kasa Smart Bulb, preventing unexpected behaviors due to connectivity issues.

3. Issues with Kasa Bulb Firmware

If the firmware on which your Kasa Smart Bulb runs becomes outdated, it can lead to glitches– such as your Kasa bulb turning on itself. To make sure that your Kasa Smart Bulb firmware is up to date,  Regularly check for updates in the Kasa app and ensure your bulb's firmware is up-to-date.

Here’s how to update your Kasa bulb's firmware:

• Launch the Kasa app.
• Navigate to the bottom right corner and tap Me.
• Select the Firmware Update option.

• If a new firmware version is available, select it to update your Kasa bulb firmware.
• Wait for the update to complete. Do not turn off the bulb or exit the app during this process.
• Once updated, restart the bulb by turning it off and on.

After this, you should not experience such glitches. But if your Kasa bulb continues to glitch, you should reset your Kasa Bulb.

Here’s how to factory reset your Kasa Bulb:

• Turn Off the bulb in question from the main switch.
• Now, flip the light switch On and Off at a distance of 1 second for 5 or 10 times (depending on your Kasa Bulb model).

And this should factory reset your Kasa Bulb. You’ll have to reconnect it with your Kasa app.

4. Outdated or Corrupted Kasa App

The Kasa app is the control center for your Kasa Smart Bulb. An outdated version of the app or corrupted app files can lead to erratic bulb behavior– including turning on by itself.

So, to ensure the Kasa app functions optimally:

Update the Kasa App Regularly:

Developers frequently release updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and add new features. This is why you should update your Kasa app every sometime.

Here’s how to update your Kasa app:

On Android

• Open the Google Play Store.
• Tap your Profile icon at the top right corner.
• Select Manage app and device.

• Under Updates available, you can either choose to Update all devices or See details to find the Kasa app and update it individually.

On iPhone

• Go to your the Apple App Store.
• Tap your Profile icon (located on the top right).
• Scroll down to the list of installed apps and look for the Kasa app.
• If you see an option to Update next to the Kasa app, tap it.
• Alternatively, if you see the Open option next to it, this means your Kasa app is already up to date.

Clear App Cache and Data:

App cache and data are meant to improve your experience of the app. However, over time, app cache and data can accumulate and might get corrupted, causing issues.

Here’s how to clear the app cache and data of your Kasa app:

For Android:

• Open Settings > Apps.

• Find and tap the Kasa Smart app.

• Scroll down and tap Storage.

• Select Clear cache to get rid of all cache.

• Alternatively, just tap Clear data, and it will clear all app data– including the cache.

Note: The process for clearing app cache and data may differ slightly on your phone. But it is more or less the same for all Android mobile phones.

For iOS:

There is no direct way to just remove the app cache or data. To do so, you will just have to:

1. Uninstall the Kasa Smart app.
2. Reinstall it from the Apple App Store.

And you’ll get rid of all Kasa app cache and data that may be causing trouble.

5. Misconfigured Kasa App and Kasa Bulb

Incorrect settings in the Kasa app or on the bulb itself can lead to unexpected behaviors, such as the bulb turning on out of nowhere. Ensuring the app's settings align with your preferences can prevent unexpected bulb behavior.

To ensure proper configuration, you need to review app settings by doing the following:

1. Open the Kasa app.
2. Navigate to the settings of the bulb in question.
3. Review each setting and make sure it matches your preferences.

6.  Preset Routines

Preset routines or schedules in the Kasa app can also cause the bulb to turn on or off at specific times, even if you didn't set them up intentionally. Check for any automated routines or schedules that might be triggering the bulb to turn on. Adjust or delete any unwanted routines.

To manage preset routines:

1. Open the Kasa app.
2. Navigate to the bottom and tap Smart.
3. Then, select Smart Actions.

4. Browse through the list of active routines to find any that involve your bulb turning on.
5. If you find an unwanted routine, tap on it.
6. You can either adjust the routine's settings or delete it entirely.
7. If you want to adjust the routine, make the necessary changes and save them.
8. Alternatively, if you want to get rid of the routine entirely, just delete it and confirm the same when prompted.

By following these detailed solutions, you can ensure your Kasa Smart Bulb operates as expected, providing a seamless smart lighting experience.

Ways to Prevent Kasa Smart Bulb from Turning On Itself

When your Kasa Smart Bulb turns on itself, it is typically due to connectivity issues, misconfiguration, or preset routines in the Kasa app. To avoid such incidents from happening, you should do the following:

1. It's a good practice to restart your router at least once a month.
2. Declutter your Wi-Fi every once in a while by disconnecting devices that aren’t being used.
3. Place your router in a central location in your home, away from any electronic devices, to maximize coverage. If you have a big house, consider investing in a Wi-Fi extender.
4. When you decide to sleep, turn off your Kasa Light from the main switch just in case to ensure that it doesn’t light up while you sleep.

FAQs:

Conclusion:

Kasa Smart Bulbs are designed for convenience, but like all tech products, they can sometimes behave unexpectedly. By understanding the common causes and solutions for the bulb turning on by itself, you can ensure a smoother smart home experience. Regular maintenance, updates, and checking configurations can prevent such issues and enhance the bulb's performance.