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Fix a smart plug that will not turn on

We'll check power, overload, app state, power-cycle, and factory reset—or tell you when to replace the plug.

Troubleshooting · Home appliances
5–15 min
What you'll need
  • Lamp or phone charger (to test the outlet and plug)
  • Device within the plug's wattage rating (to test)
Step 1 of 12

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Steps

Goal: Confirm the symptom, rule out power and overload, then isolate the relay fault.

  • Confirm the plug has an LED (if present) and appears in the app. If the app says on but the connected device gets no power, the relay may have failed. If the plug has no LED and does not appear in the app, see Fix a smart plug that will not connect.
  • Good: Plug shows power and is in the app. Proceed to Check power and overload.
  • Bad: Plug not in app—see connectivity guide.

Check power and overload

Goal: Rule out outlet, breaker, and overload before resetting the plug.

  • Confirm the outlet has power. Plug a lamp or phone charger directly into the outlet to test. Check the circuit breaker—reset if tripped.
  • Confirm the connected device is within the plug’s wattage rating (often 15A or 1800W for 120V). Heaters and high-draw devices can exceed the rating and damage the relay.
  • Good: Outlet works and device is within rating. Proceed to Reset path.
  • Bad: Breaker trips—call an electrician. Device exceeds rating—replace the plug and do not use that device with a smart plug.

Reset path

Goal: Power-cycle and factory reset to clear app sync or firmware glitches.

  • Unplug the smart plug for 10 seconds, plug back in. Wait for it to reconnect. Try a lamp or phone charger instead of the original device. Turn on via the app.
  • If the lamp works, the original device may be faulty. If nothing works, hold the reset button for 5–10 seconds until the LED blinks. Re-add the plug in the app. Test again.
  • Good: The plug switches power after the reset. The issue was app sync.
  • Bad: The plug still will not switch power—the relay has failed. Replace the plug.

When to get help

Replace the smart plug if:

  • Power and connections are good, you have power-cycled and factory reset, and the connected device still gets no power when the app says on. The relay has failed.
  • You smell burning or see melted plastic or discoloration on the plug. It has overheated—likely from overload.

Call an electrician if:

  • The circuit breaker trips when you plug in the smart plug.
  • You see sparks, smoke, or damaged wiring.

Verification

  • The plug LED lights when plugged in (if it has one).
  • The plug appears in the app and responds to on/off commands.
  • The connected device receives power when the app shows the plug on.
  • No burn smell or discoloration on the plug.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Confirm symptom Verify the plug shows power (LED) and the app shows on, but the device gets no power.
  2. Power and overload Check outlet, circuit breaker, and that the device is within the plug's wattage rating.
  3. Power-cycle and test Unplug 10 seconds, plug back in; try a different device to rule out the device.
  4. Factory reset Hold reset button, re-add the plug, test again.
  5. Replace plug Relay failed—replace the plug. Breaker trips—call an electrician.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Plug brand and model
  • Whether the plug has an LED and whether it lights
  • Connected device wattage vs plug rating
  • Whether power-cycle and factory reset were tried
  • Steps already tried

Does the plug show any sign of life (LED, app connection)?

If the plug has no LED and does not appear in the app, it may not have power or may not be connected. See a guide for smart plug connectivity.

Check the plug LED (if present) and whether the plug appears in the app. No LED, not in app: check power and connectivity—see Fix a smart plug that will not connect. LED on, in app: proceed to check if the device gets power when you turn the plug on.

Yes (LED on, in app) No (no LED, not in app)

You can change your answer later.

Is the outlet working and the breaker on?

The plug needs power to operate. Check the outlet and circuit breaker.

Plug a lamp or phone charger directly into the outlet. Check the circuit breaker—reset if tripped. Good: outlet works. Bad: breaker trips or outlet is dead—fix power first or call an electrician.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Plug has power but not in app

The plug has power but does not connect. See Fix a smart plug that will not connect for Wi‑Fi and pairing steps.

Done

Does the connected device get power when the app says on?

If the app shows on but the device gets no power, the relay may have failed.

Turn the plug on via the app. Check if the connected device (lamp, charger) receives power. Device gets power: plug is working—different issue. Device gets no power: proceed to check overload and power-cycle.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Plug is working

The plug switches power correctly. If you have a different issue (e.g. device does not respond, app lag), check the device or app.

Done

Is the connected device within the plug wattage rating?

Overload can damage the relay. Check the plug label (often 15A or 1800W) and the device wattage.

Check the plug label and the device wattage. Heaters and high-draw devices often exceed plug ratings. Within rating: proceed to power-cycle. Exceeded rating: the relay may be damaged—replace the plug and do not use that device with a smart plug.

Yes No (overloaded)

You can change your answer later.

Power-cycle and try a different device

Power-cycling clears stuck state. A different device rules out the original device.

Unplug the smart plug for 10 seconds, plug back in. Wait for reconnect. Try a lamp or phone charger instead of the original device. Turn on via the app. Works: original device may be faulty. Still no power: proceed to factory reset.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Original device may be faulty

The plug works with a different device. The original device may be faulty—test it in a different outlet or replace it.

Done

Factory reset and re-add

A clean setup can fix app sync issues.

Hold the reset button for 5–10 seconds until the LED blinks. Re-add the plug in the app. Test again. Works: app sync was the issue. Still no power: the relay has failed—replace the plug.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

App sync was the issue

Factory reset fixed the problem. The plug is working. If it happens again, check Wi‑Fi stability and app updates.

Done

Replace the plug

The relay has failed. Replace the smart plug. Smart plugs are not user-serviceable. Do not open the plug—dispose of it properly.

Done

Call an electrician

Call an electrician if the circuit breaker trips when you plug in the smart plug, or you see sparks, smoke, or damaged wiring.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a smart plug not turn on the connected device?
Common causes: no power at the outlet, overload (device exceeds plug rating and damaged the relay), app state out of sync, or a failed relay inside the plug. Check power and overload first, then power-cycle and factory reset. If the plug responds in the app but the device still gets no power, the relay has likely failed.
Can I fix a smart plug that will not turn on myself?
Yes. Check the outlet, circuit breaker, and that the connected device is within the plug's wattage rating. Power-cycle and factory reset often fix app sync issues. If the relay has failed, replace the plug—smart plugs are not user-serviceable inside.
When should I replace a smart plug instead of fixing it?
Replace the plug if power and connections are good, you have power-cycled and factory reset, and the connected device still gets no power when the app says on. The relay inside has likely failed. Smart plugs are inexpensive and not designed for internal repair.

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