I recently faced a challenge while setting up my TP-Link Kasa HS103 smart plug on a Wi-Fi network without internet access. After some research and experimentation, I found a solution that worked perfectly for my setup. Here’s how I did it:
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Initial Setup with Kasa App: I downloaded the Kasa app on my smartphone and went through the initial setup process. When prompted to select a network, I chose my internal IoT network, which doesn’t have internet access. The device successfully connected, indicated by a blue light, even though the app showed a connection failure due to the lack of internet. This was a crucial first step.
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Finding the Device’s IP Address: Once the device was connected to my network, I used my router’s admin interface to find its IP address. This allowed me to manually configure the device within OpenHAB without relying on the cloud.
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Configuring in OpenHAB: In the Paper UI, I added the TP-Link device manually, entering the IP address I found earlier. Initially, I encountered an error regarding the DeviceID, but I resolved this by copying the correct DeviceID from the error message and pasting it back into the configuration. This step ensured the device was recognized and connected properly.
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Creating the Item: With the device successfully configured, I created a simple switch item in my OpenHAB setup. This allowed me to control the smart plug directly from the OpenHAB interface, eliminating the need for the Kasa app.
This experience taught me that even devices requiring cloud connectivity can be integrated into a local setup with a bit of creativity. It’s satisfying to have full control over my smart devices without relying on external services. If anyone else is struggling with similar issues, I hope this guide helps you achieve a seamless setup!