Common Questions Regarding the Schedule, Timer, and Away Mode Settings of TP-Link Smart Home Devices

Q1: How many schedules can be created for each smart device?

A: You can set up to 32 schedules for each smart device.

Note:  creating a schedule for on and off operations will require 1 schedule for each operation

Q2: Will my smart device’s schedule, timer, and away modes still work even when the smart device does not have internet access?

A: Yes

Note: In the event of a power outage your smart home device will need to reconnect to the internet to reestablish its time.  Until the time is restored Schedule, Timer and Away Modes will not function.

Q3: What can I do if Schedule, Timer or Away modes do not function or trigger at the wrong time?

A: We recommend following the troubleshooting steps located in this FAQ here.

Q4: What can I do if the sunrise and sunset time settings of my Smart bulbs, switches, or plugs at the same location do not match?

A: 

Tapo App: Open the App and tap on Me > Tapo Lab > Location and Time > Location.  Then tap Sync Location

Kasa App: Open the App and tap on Me > Settings > Location and Time > Location to sync Location or Enter location manually.

Note:

• Because of the small differences in the algorithms used by Kasa and Tapo to determine sunrise/sunset times, there may be a 1 to 2-minute variation between a Kasa device and a Tapo device at the same location.
• Sunrise and sunset times are synced based on regional reality, as determined by the smart device's latitude and longitude. If the smart devices were configured at different times and locations, the latitude and longitude information may fluctuate somewhat, resulting in discrepancies in sunrise and sunset times between devices.

Q5: Can the Schedule, Timer, or Away mode still work after manually powering off a bulb via a physical switch?

A: No. When you manually turn off the physical switch connected to the bulb, you cut the power to the bulb. The bulb's functions cannot be realized without power.

Q6: Can I configure the Away mode of the Smart devices across days?

A: For Tapo smart devices: Yes, to make the away mode take effect across multiple days

For the Kasa smart devices: No, away mode cannot work across days.

Q7: How do the Kasa or Tapo Apps prioritize the schedule, timer, and away modes?

A:  These settings are prioritized as Timer, then Schedule, then Away Mode.

Q8: What is the schedule I sometimes see listed on my App’s Home Page?

A:  If there are schedules configured, the next executed schedule can be seen from the home page.  It is just a reminder of an upcoming schedule. If there are no active schedules or all of the schedules for that day have been completed this reminder will not appear.