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Troubleshooting

My smart plug won't turn the power off anymore

Home Nura guide — category: Smart Plugs

Severity: critical

Diagnosis

Warning: this symptom can point to a serious hardware defect. Stop using the device until you know the cause. We recommend contacting the manufacturer or an authorized repair service before you try to use it again.

What to do

Unplug it right away and stop using it. Document the symptom (photos, video, the sounds it makes), then contact the manufacturer's support team. Keep your proof of purchase handy: any warranty claim starts there.

Repair or replace?

If the problem is still there after these checks and the appliance is out of warranty, weigh the repair estimate against the cost of a new model.

If you're replacing it

Smart Plugs: the picks from our buying guide

  1. Best overall

    TP-Link Tapo P115 Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring

    A compact 16 A / 3,680 W plug (EU version) with real-time and historical monitoring, a clear Tapo app and Alexa and Google support.

    Photo: © TP-Link

    View on Amazon →
  2. Best alternative for Apple Home

    Meross MSS210P HomeKit Smart Plug 16A

    A 16 A plug with energy monitoring that works with Apple Home and Siri in its HomeKit version, plus Alexa and Google.

    Photo: © Meross

    View on Amazon →
  3. Best for automation without monitoring

    TP-Link Tapo P100 Smart Plug 4-Pack

    With no energy monitoring and a 10 A limit, this pack complements a P115 for scheduling lamps, chargers and small devices.

    Photo: © TP-Link

    View on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Amazon affiliate links: we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Read the full buying guide
Back to category — Smart Plugs

Other common problems in this category

These issues affect the same type of appliance — each one comes with a diagnosis and the steps to take.

F · A · Q

Frequently asked questions

Check the manufacturer's warranty first: how long it lasts and what it covers vary by brand and model, so read the terms for yours and keep your proof of purchase. If you bought it new in the EU, a two-year legal guarantee also applies (Directive (EU) 2019/771), covering defects present at delivery, whenever they first show up.

If you're still within the seller's return window, a return or exchange is usually the fastest fix. After that, go through the manufacturer's support team: it handles warranty claims and can often repair the unit even after the warranty has run out. Either way, keep your proof of purchase.

Our public methodology lowers the Nura Score /10 of any model in our Smart Plugs guide whose recurring failures show up in owner reviews. A model that breaks down too often never makes it to the top, whatever the brand.

Generally, yes, if you stick to routine maintenance: cleaning, replacing a gasket, recalibrating. Irreversible changes to the hardware are what can cause problems, so read your warranty terms before you open anything up. Anything the manufacturer's manual walks you through is the safe zone.

Your proof of purchase, the exact model name and a record of the symptom: photos, a short video, the sound it makes and any error code. Note when the problem started and what you've already tried. With all that in hand, support can pin down the problem much faster.