← Full guide: Kasa Smart Plug Not Responding: Power, Wi-Fi, Cloud, Alexa
Kasa plug is in the app but shows Local only or cannot be controlled remotely
“Local only” means the device is on your LAN but not properly linked to TP-Link cloud/remote control.
Start here
“Local only” means the device is on your LAN but not properly linked to TP-Link cloud/remote control. Fix cloud binding before resetting a plug that already works locally.
Check these first
- Confirm local control works on home Wi-Fi.
- Check Kasa account/cloud status and firmware.
- Check whether the device is bound to another account.
Fix it in this order
- Update firmware.
- Use Kasa Remote Control/cloud troubleshooting.
- Resolve “bound to another account” through the correct account/ownership process.
- Re-add only if cloud binding cannot be repaired.
Evidence to keep
- Local vs mobile-data control result
- Account
- Firmware
Do not make it harder
- Factory reset before proving local control
- Creating duplicate Kasa homes/accounts
How you know it is fixed
- Plug responds both locally and from mobile data/remote network.
If the obvious fix does not work
- If remote control fails for every Kasa device, check service/account/network first.
- If one plug alone is Local only, focus on that plug’s cloud binding.
If this still isn't resolved
- TP-Link Support
Sources for this path
Use these references to confirm provider-, model-, policy-, or jurisdiction-specific details before an irreversible step.
Need the complete context?
This page solves one branch. The parent guide covers the full decision, edge cases, alternatives, and related checks.