Smart plugs are handy devices that allow you to turn on and off just about any plugged-in device in your home with your phone.
This can be done through voice or touch.
There’s been some debate, however, on whether or not smart plugs go bad with time.
As with any device, prolonged use will cause smart plugs to lose efficiency over time. How fast they expire depends on how often you use them. However, it’s unlikely that your smart plug is going bad if you haven’t had it for at least seven years. These devices are built to last.
However, sometimes smart plugs can appear to be going bad before that.
Given that these are electronics, it’s expected that they will have some problems sometimes.
In this article, I’ll discuss how long it takes for smart plugs to go bad and some common reasons why they may not be working well.
How long does it take before smart plugs go bad?
Smart plugs have a warranty of seven years; typically, the warranty will expire on a product before the device goes bad.
As I mentioned, how long your individual smart plugs last depends heavily on what you’re using them for and how often you use them.
If you’re running various things through your smart plug every day, you can expect that your smart plug will probably max out at around seven years.
However, if you’re taking good care of the plug and only using it for five or six hours daily, you can expect it to last much longer.
How much energy the plug is exposed to on a daily basis will also determine how long your smart plug will last.
If you’re regularly using your smart plug to power high-power items, then it will cause it to expire a little sooner than it normally would.
You might also want to know: Do Smart Plugs Save Energy? 7 Ways To Cut Expenses
If my smart plug isn’t going bad, why isn’t it working?
Surprisingly, there are many reasons that a smart plug can suddenly stop working or be shorting out, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that your smart plug is going bad, especially if you’ve only had it for less than a year.
Some of the more common problems you may encounter with your smart plugs are them turning on and off on their own as well as connection problems.
The first thing that might pop into your head, particularly when it comes to connection problems, is that the smart plug has already reached the end of its usage time.
Let’s take a look at some problems as well as solutions you can try before you jump to conclusions about your smart plug going bad.
#1: Your smart plug isn’t connecting to your phone
This is really common with any product that uses Bluetooth.
The most common reason this happens with smart plugs is because your smart plug and your phone aren’t on the same network.
Sometimes we turn off our WiFi on our phones and don’t realize it. If this has happened to you, you’ll suddenly find that your smart plug won’t connect to your phone.
The way to fix this is relatively simple.
You’ll just want to ensure your phone is set to connect to WiFi and is connected to your home network.
You’ll also want to ensure your Bluetooth is turned on and the device is connected.
Smart plugs also function with sunrise and sunset rules, so if you find that your device is having problems around these times, specifically, be sure your location settings are turned on.
#2: The outlet you’re using for your smart plug is dead
This should be obvious, but it’s not something we often think about.
This is especially true if your smart plug has been in the same outlet for any length of time.
If you suddenly find that your smart plug isn’t turning on, go straight to the source—the outlet.
Chances are, the outlet needs to be replaced.
You’ll need to remove your smart plug and plug it into a different outlet. This can be troublesome, but overall it’s a pretty easy fix.
#3: Your smart plug needs to be reset
Many electronics need to be reset periodically.
Smart plugs are no exception to the rule.
If you suddenly find your smart plug is giving you problems, especially directly after a power outage, chances are it just needs a reset.
Smart plugs have an automatic shut-off feature when power outages happen.
This can be a bit concerning if you aren’t sure what’s happening because sudden power outages are notorious for ruining your electronics.
Thankfully, smart plugs are prepared for this.
#4: Your smart plug won’t stay on
This is the most common reason people believe that their smart plugs are already going bad, but there are quite a few reasons this may be happening.
One reason is that the smart plug isn’t getting a decent connection with the internet signal.
In this case, it might be good to purchase a WiFi extender or relocate the router.
Another reason is that the smart plug is experiencing software issues.
In the modern world, software issues can cause several problems.
To fix this, it’s best to contact the manufacturer and see what they suggest.
Read next: 4 Reasons Your Smart Plug Turns On By Itself + Tips
What if your smart plug actually is bad?
I don’t want to say that smart plugs never go bad before the warranty.
It does happen. If you find that your smart plug is turning off and on frequently or having consistent connection issues, then chances are the smart plug actually has gone bad.
While the plugs are built to last, sometimes products just don’t get made to the same standard as some of their counterparts.
Every batch has at least a couple that have missed the mark in some way.
If this starts happening before the seven-year warranty period, then contact the manufacturer. Most of the time, you’ll be able to get a replacement with no issue.
Final thoughts
Smart plugs are a great addition to your home.
They really do make things so much easier. However, as with anything else, they do go bad eventually.
The best thing to do is look at how long you’ve had your smart plug.
If it hasn’t been that long, your smart plug is probably just experiencing some other issues.
In that case, check out some of the solutions we discussed today, and go from there.