First Alexa couldn't connect, now IFTT is failing, too, is there something I can do on my end?

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.

First Alexa couldn't connect, now IFTT is failing, too, is there something I can do on my end?

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.
First Alexa couldn't connect, now IFTT is failing, too, is there something I can do on my end?
First Alexa couldn't connect, now IFTT is failing, too, is there something I can do on my end?
2021-09-02 08:06:44
Model: LB130  
Hardware Version: V1
Firmware Version:

I have a collection of HS100's, LB120, LB130's, KL125 (etc.. 15 lightbulbs, 30 outlets), and for the last couple of months I've noticed that (first rarely, now frequently) when I try to use the Alexa skill, not all of my actions would complete for a given scene (or Alexa would say that "the device "wasn't responding" even though I could see it in Kasa just fine).

I thought it might be something in my network, so a bought new routers, changed all of that around, upgraded to 1Gb/40Mb internet, and still had problems when using Alexa, even though the kasa app worked.

Then today, I noticed that my IFTTT applet to turn on a light has been failing, so now it's Alexa, and IFTTT, both failing to talk to the kasa service, and have it run actions that the Kasa app itself can do.

So, what can I do to help troubleshoot this for TP-link's engineers, so their service can work more reliably with Alexa and IFTTT?

(Also, are others seeing this kind of issue?)
 

  0      
  0      
#1
Options
3 Reply
Re:First Alexa couldn't connect, now IFTT is failing, too, is there something I can do on my end?
2021-09-07 08:02:28 - last edited 2021-09-07 08:16:30

@ronabop1  Hello, 

  • When that happens, please make sure KASA device can be remotely controlled :  If turn off Wi-Fi on your cell phone and use mobile data only, can you turn On/ Off KASA devices on KASA app at that moment? 
  • Ensure Kasa app and Kasa device firmware are both up to date .Also make sure Alexa app is up-to-date as well,

Can you  help confirm information to locate the issue 

  1. For ' when I try to use the Alexa skill, not all of my actions would complete for a given scene' can you share some examples of voice command that does not work well.
  2. May I know how often does the smart device stop responding ?  Did all the devices stop respond at the same time or the issue is particularly with  certain unit, like certain Plug/ Bulb.
  3. If voice command does not work in Alexa, could you manually make the action happen in Alexa APP at that time?  
  4. How did the connection recover, e.g reboot kasa device or  relink tp-link account in Alexa or it will work again by itself? 
  5. Kasa APP &Alexa app version: 
  6. Model & Android or IOS version of cell phone:

If IFTTT failed to respond, please also check if Kasa device could be remotely controlled at that time? 

At the same time , it is also recommended to contact Amazon support and see if they could see any Error on their side. 

  0  
  0  
#2
Options
Re:First Alexa couldn't connect, now IFTT is failing, too, is there something I can do on my end?
2021-09-07 10:45:57

@Solla-topee 

"May I know how often does the smart device stop responding,"
When it's breaking/broken, devices stop responding every day, and then start responding again (sometimes if I switch Alexa accounts with "Axea, switch accounts", they start working, sometimes they start working again on their own if I try to use them later).

"at that time, did all the device stop respond at the same time?"


Not all devices stop responding at the same time. Only some of them. If I go into Alexa when this is happening, some devices are unreachable, some are not. Sometimes HS100's, sometimes LB130s, (I haven't recognized a device pattern).

" Or only certain unit does not work in Alexa app, or certain scene/ voice command does not work in Alexa? "

When individual light/outlet units are no longer responding, Kasa scenes seem to stop halfway through changing, Alexa routines do not complete, individual bulbs and outlets no longer respond. It does not seem specific to device, or one specfic command (or kind of command).

"How did the connection recover, e.g reboot kasa device or  relink tp-link account in Alexa? "

If I reboot the kasa devices sometimes they come back.
If I reboot the kasa devices, and tell Alexa to rescan, sometimes they come back, and this works more often (but not always).

The only way I have been able to get them all back at the same time, is relinking multiple Alexa accounts that are using the skill and one Kasa account.

Relinking the skill, on my account, will not fix it for my account, it seems to require multiple relinkings, across multiple devices and Alexa accounts (phones, tablets, desktop/web access), or perhaps just finding the "one bad link" (by relinking on multiple devices?).

"When that happens, please make sure KASA device can be remotely controlled :  If turn off Wi-Fi on your cell phone and use mobile data only, can you turn On/ Off KASA devices on KASA app at that moment? "

Kasa app continues to work on Wifi and on mobile data, but not Alexa (and then IFTTT).

"Ensure Kasa app and Kasa device firmware are both up to date " 

Frmware shows as current inside of the kasa app for all devices.


"Kasa APP &Alexa app version:"
Kasa App: 2.34.0 build 1007 (Samsung J3 phone)
Kasa App: 2.34.0 build 1007 (Samsung S10E phone)

Also:
(Was) Kasa App: 2.26.0 Build 947 (8 inch Fire HD plus, 10th generation), now updated to 2.34.0 build 1007
(Was) Kasa App: 2.27.0 Build 957 (8 inch Fire HD 8, 8th generation), now updated to 2.34.0 build 1007

Alexa App version: Happening across 5 Echo/Dot Alexa devices with software versions:
669702920
669701020

Model & Android or IOS version of cell phone:
Samsung J3, Android 6.0.1
Samsung S10E, Android 11.0
 

"For ' when I try to use the Alexa skill, not all of my actions would complete for a given scene' may I know how did you try to control Alexa at that time? Can you share the related settings and the voice command you have used ? 
"Alexa, watch TV" (An alexa routine that would invoke the kasa scene 'TV scene', it would only turn on some devices, or change some lights) 
"Alexa, Living room fifty percent" (Not a routine, sometimes turns all lights lower, sometimes only some of the lights)
"Alexa, turn on Bedroom Fan" (A single kasa device, sometimes I would get "Device is disconnected or isn't responding")
"Alexa, turn off Bedroom Lights" (An Alexa group of three lights, sometimes it would only do two of the three, and I would have to turn off the third in the Kasa app.)
 

If IFTTT failed to respond, please also check if Kasa device could be remotely controlled at that time? 

 

Yes, the device could be remotely controlled.
 

  2  
  2  
#3
Options
Re:First Alexa couldn't connect, now IFTT is failing, too, is there something I can do on my end?
2021-09-08 06:35:43

@ronabop1 

Thanks so much for sharing all the detailed info, this issue you are experiencing sounds unusual. To address the issue and try to fix it, we would like to have a specialist look into this further via email. Please check your mailbox later, and let us know if the issue is resolved. Thank you!

  0  
  0  
#4
Options

Information

Helpful: 0

Views: 470

Replies: 3