A write up of common issues, how to potentially get around them and why you should not buy TP-Link smart home devices usually branded as Kasa or Tapo.
Almost daily on various community platforms we see posts along the line of:
- XYZ device doesn't work with Home Assistant.
- Why does this feature not work?
- can the integration be updated to make XYZ work.
These posts are met with "yeah, you can't do that" or "you have to do this XYZ to try and make it work"
This write up will focus more on smart plugs than anything else as they are the most common and what is seen often, other devices do have their own issues (cameras etc...) but that is not the focus here.
You need to use the app which wants you to make a TP-Link account.
The guide you are looking at is likely outdated, There was a time where some of the devices were more friendly to local control however that is no longer the case.
Home Assistant can not add the device. it says authentication failed even though the password is right.
This is what happens when the device receives the request but when it asks TP-Link they say no.
The solution to this on most devices to open the app, select the device and turn on "Third Party Control"
TP-Link don't really want you to do this so here are some of the things they do to annoy you into not using it.
- They will randomly deactivate this and you will have to enable it again.
- Sometimes the feature just doesn't work.
- When it doesn't work sometimes you can eventually win by playing the turn it on/off and rebooting the device a few times game.
- But sometimes it just doesn't work at all and there is nothing you can do.
- The device seems to randomly double check with TP-Link that it can accept "local" commands. meaning you can't set it up then block the device's connection.
- They can remove this feature at any time and there is nothing you can do about it.
So whilst it is true that the third party control API is not officially documented and was reverse engineered, So it not being perfect can sort of be understood. It does seem like TP-Link goes out of their way to make it awkward and painful to use. We also know that they can switch it off at any time and do we trust them to not do it? have they given us any reason to believe that they won't?... I say No.
TP-Link doesn't expose energy monitoring on most of their devices (apparently some do).
They don't really mention this in their marketing because that would make them look bad.
They want you to use their app instead.
Recently a discord thread from a user about this matter included snippets from them talking to TP-Link support and this gem of a quote was included:
Regarding the KP125MP2, this product does not currently support Matter energy monitoring.
And for this, KP125MP2 is Matter-certified, and we have always communicated Matter certification and energy monitoring as separate features.
NB: I have no reason to doubt the authenticity of this but I also have no proof to offer that it is genuine so take that how you wish.
So now we know that they consider matter support and energy monitoring as separate features for at least some devices, Which implies that there is no active interest in making this.
However to do claim that they are working on firmware updates HERE.
They have said that their matter devices are certified and can do it as of May 2024 but they just haven't implemented it yet keeping in mind that this post is from September 2025 and as of the time of writing this December 2025 still no implementation ~1.5 years later.
so...
- We know they can make it work because they have the certification.
- They have released firmware updates in that time but have not included it.
- With some devices they seem to have no interest in doing so.
So, why is it that they don't seem to be in a hurry to improve their products? Here are some theories:
- They don't want you to stop using a TP-Link account to use their app. Because then they lose options to advertise to you and to monitoring you to harvest some delicious data to sell.
- They plan to not actually release a firmware update and by the time they admit to it they can say "older devices are end of life" whilst releasing a new device which is the same but they put a V2 on the box which has the feature, and magically they have lied to you and sold you a solution with a new device
- They are hedging by keeping that feature under their control because if they decide they want to resell you the device you paid for they can paywall the feature using their app. Suddenly you are paying a subscription for it.
If its within a return period then I recommend returning it and getting something more trustworthy.
Don't feel compelled to do anything, if they are working for you then use them. HOWEVER: Don't buy any more from them. As and when devices need to be added or replaced you can slowly transition away to make it so that if suddenly compatibility disappears you are at least a little prepared.
I am not going to directly recommend replacements here however there are plenty of posts in the community that recommend devices.
Keep in mind that exact recommendations will depend on your country and protocol requirements.
Some thoughts on what to look at:
Check to see if they have any products in the Works with Home Assistant program. Even if the particular product you are looking at is not directly certified it shows their position on working with Home Assistant.
Have a check to see if there are any notes about common problems and limits.
If there are complaints about a company's products daily then maybe worth looking at something else.
The Home assistant community is great. If you are not sure then ask and you will usually get some good information.
Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.
I will concede that it is possible that TP-Link instead of intentionally doing these things are just stupid and incompetent
You shouldn't, you should read my information and make your own mind.
This is only one person's opinion.
That said, I do spend a bunch of time helping people in the community with various problems mostly on the community discord server and am aware of common issues.
I have no skin in the game. I am not shilling for anyone. You buying a product I dislike has no effect on my life.
Does this make me credible? That is for you to decide.