Hold the button on your Kasa smart plug for 10 seconds. That’s the factory reset. The LED flashes amber rapidly when it’s done, and the plug wipes its Wi-Fi config and any automation settings. From there, set it up again in the Kasa app like it’s brand new.
If that’s all you needed, you’re done. If you want the full picture – soft vs. factory reset, app-based resets, Matter/HomeKit resets, and which models work how – keep reading.
Soft Reset vs. Factory Reset – What’s The Difference?
These aren’t the same thing, and using the wrong one will cost you time.
A soft reset (5-second hold) puts the plug back into setup mode so the Kasa app can find it. Your Wi-Fi credentials, automations, and schedules stay intact. Use this when the plug loses connection or stops responding but there’s no obvious hardware fault.
A factory reset (10-second hold) wipes everything – Wi-Fi config, automations, Matter pairings, the lot. After this, the plug is a blank slate. Use it when you’re handing the device off to someone else, switching to a new network, or the soft reset didn’t fix the problem.
How To Factory Reset A Kasa Smart Plug (Button Method)
Works on: KP115, KP125, KP125M, EP25, KP105, KP400, HS103, HS105, HS300, and most other Kasa smart plugs. The button is on the side or front of the plug – labeled “Reset” on some models, the main power button on others.
Plug the device in
The plug needs to be powered. Don’t attempt a reset while unplugged – nothing will happen.
Press and hold the button for 10 seconds
Hold the reset or power button firmly. Don’t release early. Count it out.
Watch for rapid amber blinking
The LED will flash amber rapidly. That’s the signal that the factory reset is complete and the plug is ready to set up from scratch.
Release the button
Once you see the rapid amber blink, let go. The plug will reboot and sit in setup mode, waiting to be paired again.
Re-add the plug in the Kasa app
Open the Kasa app, tap the + icon, and follow the setup flow. You’ll need your Wi-Fi password. Any automations or schedules will need to be rebuilt.
How To Do A Soft Reset (Keep Your Settings)
This is the right first move for any connectivity glitch. It puts the plug back into pairing mode without erasing your config – so if it reconnects successfully, you haven’t lost anything.
Make sure the plug is powered
It needs to be plugged in and receiving power.
Hold the button for 5 seconds
Release when the LED blinks amber and green alternately (amber and blue on the HS105). That pattern means it’s in setup mode, not wiped.
Open the Kasa app
The app should detect the plug and reconnect automatically. If not, tap the device in your device list and follow any prompts to re-link it.
How To Reset Via The Kasa App
If you can still reach the plug through the app (it shows online), you can factory reset it from there. Useful when the physical button is awkward to access.
Open the Kasa app and select the plug
Tap on the device you want to reset from your home screen.
Go to Settings
Tap the gear icon in the top-right corner of the device screen.
Tap Remove Device
Scroll down and select Remove Device.
Select Factory Reset
Choose Factory Reset (not just Remove) to wipe the device config. If you only tap Remove without resetting, the plug still holds its old Wi-Fi credentials.
Resetting A KP125M (Matter) Through Apple Home, Google Home, or Alexa
The KP125M supports Matter, which means it can be paired with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings independently of the Kasa app. If you paired it through one of those controllers, removing it there also triggers a factory reset on the device.
- Apple Home: Open Home app > long-press the accessory > Remove Accessory. The plug resets automatically.
- Google Home: Open the app > select the device > Settings > Unlink > Factory Reset.
- Alexa: Open the Alexa app > Devices > select the plug > Settings (gear icon) > Deregister.
After any of those flows, the plug is reset and Matter pairings to other platforms are also removed. You’re back to square one with a fresh device.
When Should You Do Each Type Of Reset?
- Plug not responding in the app: Try soft reset first. It’s reversible, takes 30 seconds, and fixes most connectivity glitches without losing your schedules.
- Soft reset didn’t fix it: Go to factory reset. Something’s stuck in the firmware config and a soft reset won’t clear it.
- Moving to a new Wi-Fi network: Factory reset. The old credentials are baked in and the plug won’t switch networks without a full wipe.
- Giving the plug to someone else: Factory reset, always. Don’t hand off a device that still has your account credentials and home network SSID stored on it.
- Plug behaving erratically after a firmware update: Factory reset followed by fresh setup. Firmware updates occasionally corrupt stored settings.
Where Is The Reset Button?
On most Kasa plugs it’s on the side. On the HS300 and KP303 power strips, the main control button is also the reset button. If you can’t find it, check the label on the plug itself – TP-Link usually prints a small reset icon next to the button. The Kasa troubleshooting guide has diagrams for specific models if you’re still stuck.
Which Kasa Plugs Does This Work On?
The 5-second soft reset and 10-second factory reset work on most Kasa smart plugs, including:
- KP125M (Matter, current flagship)
- KP125 / KP115 (energy monitoring, non-Matter)
- EP25 (Matter, energy monitoring)
- KP105, KP400 (outdoor)
- HS103, HS105, HS110 (older gen, still in wide use)
- HS300, KP303 (power strips – use the control button)
The HS100 and HS110 are out of production, but both still respond to the same reset procedure if you have one kicking around. Note: the HS105 shows amber and blue during a soft reset instead of amber and green – that’s normal for that model.
If you’re in the market for a new plug, the KP125M is worth the upgrade – it works across all the major smart home platforms via Matter, which means no vendor lock-in. Also handy when you want to reset it from whichever controller you happen to have open.
Still Using Kasa? Here’s the Upgrade.
Kasa smart plugs still work, but TP-Link has been winding the brand down in favor of Tapo. The KP125M is no longer sold new through most major retailers, and older models like the EP25 are fully discontinued.
The direct replacement is the Tapo P125M – same compact design, same energy monitoring and scheduling, but with Matter certification added. That means it connects directly to Apple Home, Google Home, or SmartThings without needing a cloud account. If you’re already on the Kasa app, the Tapo app is nearly identical.