Quote:
Originally Posted by issybird
 OK, this needs a little context.
In truth, I only ever use two smart plugs: one to run the Christmas tree and one to start up a space heater and take the edge off before I come downstairs in the morning. Neither is in use right now.  |
The context is, the stupid Wemo plug won't work. It was grayed out in the app.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OtinG
Why? Please explain and maybe we can help.
I’ve got 4 I use; 2 are Amazon Basics and 2 or TP-Link. They work well, but were somewhat a PITA to program into Alexa. I use the Alexa app on my iThingies to control them though rather than arguing with Alexa via voice commands. Mostly I programmed them to turn on and off at certain times, so I don’t have to mess with them much.
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Thanks, but it's beyond help. I've gone through almost every troubleshooting tip (other than messing with my router; I'm not going to take a chance on screwing up everything else), and it won't work.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CRussel
Personally, I love smart plugs. Though trying to convince early TPLink plugs to connect to the new WiFi6 router is an exercise in total frustration!
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My limited experience has found them to be completely unreliable and untrustworthy.
Fuller context for my rant: I was using the Wemo smart plug with a faux fireplace insert, with a "rule" to turn it off after a half hour after I turn it on. I recall that it was terrible to set up last winter, but finally worked OK. Obviously I didn't use it all summer; I started using it occasionally again over the past few weeks. It would sometimes be grayed out in the Wemo app, but going through the re-adding process in the app would get it back. Annoying, but fairly quick.
Until yesterday. It was grayed out, and it would not be added back. The Wemo app kept going through the process, would find the plug, but then would not connect to my wifi. Sometimes it would tell me the cloud was the issue. Sometimes it tell me I had no wifi connection and to reenter my password. Sometimes it would just tell me to try again.
I unplugged and replugged the device, reset the device, even uninstalled and reinstalled the app, per the troubleshooting advice. No luck. Then removed the grayed-out device, and tried again, with the same nonsense repeated. Also tried with another outlet. Nothing. So I accept defeat.
As I said, I'm not asking for help. I'm ready to toss the plug as a piece of junk.