Q: What's the energy usage and energy saving of Tapo smart bulb?

Energy Usage It refers to the instantaneous power consumed by the smart bulb. The update frequency depends on how often Tapo app gets the information from it. Usually a few seconds once. You can view and track the energy consumption anytime you want. Energy Saving The smart bulb reduces energy use without losing quality or brightness, while saving you money. Get to know more details of each function and configuration please go to Download Center to download the manual of your product.

Question 1

How can I view the video recordings of camera from the SD card on a computer?

Accepted Answer

Please plug the SD to your computer's SD card slot or an SD card adapter.

If you are using the SD card adapter, please insert it into a USB port on your computer.

For Windows:

Depending on the settings of your computer, a dialog box may appear. If a dialog box does not appear, open Windows File Explorer to locate and select the SD card on the left side of the window.

For MAC:

If you are using the SD card for the first time, your Mac will install the necessary driver software automatically. A device icon will appear on your Mac display. Double click the icon. You can also click “Finder” to open the Finder window and choose the icon for SD card under Devices. The contents will display in a separate window.

What if the recorded videos have no sound?

The recorded video uses G.711 as the standard for audio companding.

Some players do not support the codec such as the Windows Media Player, so the video can be played on Windows with no sound.

Please use a player that supports the G.711 codec such as the VLC on Windows. It can also be played properly on IOS.

For Android, please use the player that supports the G.711 codec as well.

What if the video recordings cannot be played?

The SD card will be divided into multiple MP4 files automatically once formatted on the Tapo app, and all of the folders will be named as xxxxxxxx_000000_tp00001.mp4, xxxxxxxx_000000_tp00002.mp4, and so on.

These MP4 files cannot be played or opened as there are no recordings in them. These files are reserved for the subsequent file to write. The actual video recordings will overwrite the files one by one.

Reserved files cannot be played:

Normally recorded videos (the prefix of the file will be replaced with the date and time):

Question 2

What should I do if I fail to configure the Tapo smart bulb

Accepted Answer

The Tapo app will guide you step by step during the initial configuration, but you may not be able to get through all the steps due to some interference. This FAQ will tell you what to do if you have trouble getting through a certain step.

Case 1: When powering on the smart device

Install your smart bulb and turn on the light. Wait about five seconds. If the smart bulb doesn’t blink three times. Reset the bulb as per QIG/UG.

Case 2: Can’t find your smart device

The phone is looking for the smart device. If you are unable to get through this step, please refer to the following suggestions.

1. Move your phone closer to the smart device.

2. Force to close the Tapo app, and then open it again and try to go through the process again.

3. If the problem persists, restart the Tapo device.

Case 3: Can’t find your Wi-Fi network

If you are unable to find your home Wi-Fi network, please refer to the following suggestions.

1. The signal strength of your home Wi-Fi network is a bit weak, move the smart device closer to your router for a try.

2. Ensure your home Wi-Fi network is a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network, the Tapo device does not support a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection.

3. If it doesn’t display the Wi-Fi name of the router automatically, please click on “RESCAN” at the upper right corner to refresh the Wi-Fi list.

4. If the router’s SSID is hidden, please choose “Other” to input SSID and password manually.

5. Reset the device as per QIG/UG and go through the process again.

Case 4: Unable to connect your smart device to the Wi-Fi network

If you are unable to get through this step, please refer to the following suggestions.

1. Ensure you have selected the correct home Wi-Fi network and have entered a correct wireless password. If the Wi-Fi network or password is incorrect, click on “Choose a Network” and select the Wi-Fi network again.

2. Make sure your smart device is within the Wi-Fi range of your router.

3. If the problem persists, try to reset the smart device as per UG/QIG, and then set it up again.

Get to know more details of each function and configuration please go to Download Center to download the manual of your product.

Question 3

How to reset the Tapo smart bulb

Accepted Answer

There are two types of reset available: a soft reset which does not erase the current settings, and a factory reset that erases all of your custom settings and restore them to factory defaults.

· Soft reset (without losing the configuration settings)

1. Turn the light switch controlling the smart bulb to the on position first.

2. Switch it off and on 3 times, pausing for one second in between.

3. The smart bulb should blink 3 times.

· Factory reset (back to factory default settings)

1. Turn the light switch controlling the smart bulb to the on position first.

2. Switch it off and on 5 times, pausing for one second in between.

3. The smart bulb should blink 3 times.

To restore Kasa smart bulb to factory default settings and re-enable setup mode, please refer to the FAQ:

How to reset TP-Link Kasa smart bulb

Get to know more details of each function and configuration please go to Download Center to download the manual of your product.

Question 4

What's the Default States of Tapo smart bulb?

Accepted Answer

The default state of smart bulb is the state when it is turned on. You can use last “On” state or custom the state as needed.

1. On the home page, tap on your device card. Then tap the gear icon on the top right to go to Device Settings page.

2. On the Device Settings page, you can see the Default States option of this smart bulb. Select the default state and your smart bulb will go to the selected state when turned on.

· Last “ON” States: It is the state when the bulb was last on.

· Custom: Set the default brightness of the bulb when turned on.

Get to know more details of each function and configuration, please go to Download Center to download the manual of your product.

Question 5

What's the energy usage and energy saving of Tapo smart bulb?

Accepted Answer

Energy Usage

It refers to the instantaneous power consumed by the smart bulb. The update frequency depends on how often Tapo app gets the information from it. Usually a few seconds once. You can view and track the energy consumption anytime you want.

Energy Saving

The smart bulb reduces energy use without losing quality or brightness, while saving you money.

Get to know more details of each function and configuration please go to Download Center to download the manual of your product.

Question 6

How to set up Tapo smart bulb

Accepted Answer

Tapo smart Wi-Fi light bulb lets you easily control your lights via the Tapo app, no matter where you find yourself.

Follow the steps below to set up your Tapo smart bulb using the Tapo app.

1. Go to Google Play or the Apple App Store or scan the QR code below to download the Tapo app.

2. Open the app and use your TP-Link ID to log in. If you don’t have a TP-Link ID, tap Sign Up to create one and the app will guide you through the rest.

3. Tap the + button in the Tapo app, select “Add Device”.

4. Select “Lights” and then your product model. Here we take Tapo L535E as an example.

5. Install your Tapo bulb, power it up and wait until the bulb blinks three times. Please note that keep your phone or tablet close to your Tapo bulb throughout the setup.

Note: If the bulb does not blink as described, tap My Smart Bulb didn’t blink.

6. The smart bulb used for demonstration here is set up via Bluetooth. Turn on the Bluetooth and it will be found automatically.

Note: For some models, you will need to go to your phone’s Wi-Fi settings and connect to your Tapo bulb’s network: Tapo_Bulb_XXXX. Then return to this app.

7. Choose your network and enter its password. You can tap the eye icon to double-check if you have entered the correct password. Then tap Next to add your Tapo bulb to your home network.

8. Give your Tapo bulb a name, set the location and custom its icon for you to identify it easily.

9. After setting it up, check for the latest firmware and update for optimum performance. Set the update schedule for your bulb.

10. Done! Now you can manage your Tapo bulb via the app anytime, anywhere.

More things you may want to do

After connecting your Tapo bulb to your home Wi-Fi, you may want to use the Amazon Echo or Google Home to help manage the device. Refer to FAQs below for configuration instruction:

How to connect my Tapo device (smart plug, smart camera, smart bulb) to Google Home.

How to make my Tapo device (smart plug, smart camera, smart bulb) work with Amazon Alexa.

Question 7

How to set up Tapo smart plug

Accepted Answer

Tapo smart plug is a compact home device that turns your typical electrical wall outlet into a controllable, customizable, and multi-functional outlet, enabling you to easily control your lights and household electronic devices via the Tapo app, no matter where you find yourself.

Follow the steps below to set up your Tapo smart plug using the Tapo app.

1. Go to Google Play or the Apple App Store or scan the QR code below to download the Tapo app.

2. Open the app and use your TP-Link ID to log in. If you don’t have a TP-Link ID, tap Create a TP-Link ID to create one and the app will guide you through the rest.

3. Tap the + button in the Tapo app and select Plugs under the Tapo brand. Then select your model. Here we take Tapo P110 (Wi-Fi version) as an example.

4. Plug your Tapo plug into a power outlet and wait until the LED is blinking orange and green. Then tap the ALREADY ORANGE AND GREEN button. Keep your phone or tablet close to your Tapo plug throughout the setup.

Note: If the LED does not blink orange and green, tap LED not blinking orange and green? for help or reset the plug as per its user guide.

5. Connect to your plug’s Wi-Fi. Tapo will search for your device.

6. Choose your network and enter its password. Then tap Next to add your Tapo plug to your home network.

7. Give your Tapo plug a name, set the location and custom its icon for you to identify it easily.

8. After setting it up, you can check for the latest firmware for optimum performance.

9. Set the Auto Update time to update the firmware automatically.

10. Done! Now you can manage your Tapo plug via the app anytime, anywhere.

More things you may want to do

After connecting your Tapo plug to your home Wi-Fi, you may want to use the Amazon Echo or Google Home to help manage the device. Refer to FAQs below for configuration instruction:

How to connect my Tapo device (smart plug, smart camera, smart bulb) to Google Home.

How to make my Tapo device (smart plug, smart camera, smart bulb) work with Amazon Alexa.

Question 8

How to set up schedule, away mode, and timer for Tapo smart devices (smart plug, smart bulb, smart switch)

Accepted Answer

After successfully adding your Tapo smart device to your home network, you can make full use of the smart device to make your home smart.

-Schedule: Use schedules to set your smart device to automatically turn on and off.

-Away Mode: Set a period of time during which the smart device will be randomly turned on and off to make it look like you’re home.

-Timer: Set a countdown timer to automatically turn the smart device on or off after a certain amount of time.

Schedule:

Follow the instructions below to set schedules for when to automatically turn on and off your smart device. Here we take Tapo smart plug as an example.

1. Launch the Tapo app, go to the Home page, tap the device to enter its device status page, then tap the Schedule icon to create a schedule.

2. Tap + to add schedules and you can also enable or disable the schedule manually anytime.

Sunrise and Sunset:

Follow the instructions below to set schedules for when to automatically turn on and off your smart device at sunrise/sunset or a custom time. Here we take Tapo smart plug as an example.

Away Mode:

Follow the instructions below to set a period of time during which the smart device will be randomly turned on and off. Here we take Tapo smart plug as an example.

1. Launch the Tapo app, go to the Home page, tap the device to enter its device status page, then tap the Away icon to set up Away mode.

2. Select the start time and end time then tap START, and this smart device will be randomly turned on and off. You can stop the away mode anytime.

Timer:

Follow the instructions below to set a countdown timer to automatically turn the smart device on or off after a certain amount of time. Here we take Tapo smart plug as an example.

1. Launch the Tapo app, go to the Home page, tap the device to enter its device status page, then tap the Timer icon to set a countdown timer.

2. Set a countdown timer, toggle on or off the smart device then tap START. You can stop the timer anytime. As the following example shows, we set a timer to automatically turn off the smart device after 30 minutes.

Note: If the internet fails, Schedule, Away, and Timer mode will continue to run as programmed.

Question 9

What can I do if I forget my password of the cloud account (Tapo smart plug, smart camera, smart bulb)

Accepted Answer

If you have forgotten the password of the cloud account, you can refer to the following steps to create a new password so that you can log in to the Tapo app to control the Tapo devices.

Method 1. On the APP.

Step 1 On the “Log In” page, click on “Forgot Password”.

Step 2 Input your cloud account, then click on “SEND”.

Step 3 Open the email, click on “Click to Reset Password”, it will lead you to a reset password page on the cloud website.

Step 4. Input the new password for your cloud account and confirm the password, then click on “Save”.

Step 5. Now you have finished password reset steps. Please go back to Tapo app, click on “PASSWORD IS RESET”, then you can log into your Tapo app with your new password.

If you don’t receive the reset email within 60 seconds, please click on “Resend” on the app, and please ensure you have entered the correct email address.

Method 2. On the TP-Link cloud website.

1. Open a browser, type https://community.tp-link.com/en/forgetpw in the address bar, and press Enter. On the pop-up webpage, please type in your registered email address, and click OK. A request email will be sent to your mailbox.

2. Open the requested email, and then tap Click to Reset Password.

3. On the pop-up webpage, please enter and confirm your new password, then click Save. Now you can log in the router with your new password.

Question 10

What can I do if the Tapo app is not working properly (smart plug, smart camera, smart bulb)?

Accepted Answer

If there’s something wrong with the Tapo app, please try to do the below troubleshooting based on the problem you have.

Q1: Can’t install the Tapo app successfully

Tapo app requires Android 4.4 or higher/iOS 9.0 or higher OS version on your mobile device. If you encounter any installation problems, please kindly check and update the OS version on your mobile device.

Q2: Tapo app has a crash issue

1. Uninstall the Tapo app, then reinstall the latest app on your phone.

2. Install the Tapo app on another phone for a try.

Q3: Fail to login with TP-Link ID

1. Open a browser and search something on the mobile device, make sure it has internet access.

2. Connect the mobile device to another Wi-Fi network for a try.

3. Uninstall and reinstall the latest Tapo app, then open the app and log in.

4. Use a different mobile deivce to download and install the Tapo app, then try to log into the app again.

All FAQ