Using Alexa "Routines" feature with your TP-Link Smart devices
Tony
A common use for Alexa is the voice command. You set up Kasa, add your smart device, then configure Alexa, and start talking. Obviously, this alone is a very helpful feature, but there is another feature that I do not see mentioned a lot when using our devices with Alexa.
This article will talk about that feature which is known as “Routines”.
Here is the official Amazon article about setting one up: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G202200080
The premise is similar to IFTTT (If This Then That), in that you set up an event, and then an action is done based on what you configured.
The screenshots below will give an example of having Alexa turn the living room lights off, and the bedroom lights on. In the end you will be able to see how you can work with routines to give you unique experience on top of what you are commonly used to.
You will first need to open your main menu and select the "Routines" menu item to create your routine.
In this example, we want Alexa to act based off a voice command so we will utilize the voice option, and type in what Alexa needs to hear to perform the action.
Now we have the setup done, we need to tell Alexa what to do when that phrase is spoken. We want to control the Alexa group, so we select "Smart Home", and "Control Group". You will see all the groups that Alexa has available with respect to your smart devices. Select the ticker so it is disabled, and then hit "Next" on the top right.
We now need to add the second action which is to have Alexa turn on the Bedroom lights by using the same method as done for the Living Room lights.
We now have Alexa set up so when you say "Alexa, it's bedtime", the Living Room lights will turn off, and the Bedroom lights will turn on. Hit "Save" on the top right to finish.
All created "Routines" will be shown on this screen so you can modify or delete them.
This is just one example of other things you can do with your TP-Link Smart devices. Doing setups like the one above reduces you from having to say two phrases to just saying one which is convenient. You can also do a similar setup with Google's "Routines" for those who are not fond of Alexa.
Comment
Hi, I have linked my Kasa switch to Alexa and set up groups. Problem I have run into is when I try and set up a routine for the Kasa switch there is no option for smart home devices to choose from. Strange?. The Kasa switch is working fine when I ask Alexa to perform a command. Any idea why my routine isn't seeing the devices in smart home?
The Kasa switch can only be an action, it can not be a trigger.
I am having the same problem. The HS200 is working fine outside of a Routine, but it is not an object to select under my "bathroom" group and it is not a device that can be selected.
I figured it out. The device is not listed until you dig down deeper under what appears to be a title, but it is instead an option.
1. Edit the Routine that you want to add the action to.
2. Select "Add action" in the Alexa App.
3. Select "Smart Home".
4. Select "All Devices" (I thought this was a title, but it is actually an option).
5. Select the appropriate device and what power setting you want it to be (ex. Bathroom Fan Power On).
6. Save the Routine and try it out.
That fixed it for me.
I'm having problems getting Alexa to run any groups or routines with scenes
If I set up a routine with an individual light it works fine.
If I set up a routine to fire a scene or group it does NOT work. (But any other non-TP link within the routine do work.)
I've tried disconnecting TP Link and reconnecting, and rediscovering my devices. I can control any single light/plug just fine. But it just won't do group, scenes or routines that involve groups/scenes.
Any tips?
I have the exact same problem as Collington
i have a nighttime lights-off Alexa routine like the one in the first post. When I activate it, all smart bulbs from multiple vendors shut off. So does my Kasa in-wall dimmer switch. But my two in-wall on-off non-dimming switches don't turn the lights off. However, if you are standing next to them, you can hear a clicking sound in the switch that sounds like it's trying to activate but the lights stay on. However, if you specifically say "Alexa, turn off the kitchen lights," it works correctly. They also work when you press them. Until about a month or so ago, they did work in the routine and then both stopped.
No idea why, no idea what to do to fix. Now my kitchen and basement lights just spend most nights being on...