Fix it
Smart Plug Not Working (2026)
Fixes for common smart plug problems: a plug that will not connect, drops off Wi-Fi, will not respond to voice, or switches off on its own.
Most smart plug problems come from the Wi-Fi network or the setup, rather than from a broken plug. Work through the fixes below in order, starting with the network and the app, before assuming the hardware has failed.
The plug will not connect during setup
Check that the phone is on the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band, since every plug here needs 2.4GHz and cannot see a 5GHz-only network. Move the phone and the plug closer to the router for setup, then move the plug to its final outlet once it is connected. If setup still fails, restart the router, force-close the app and try again, and check that the plug is in pairing mode with its light blinking as the instructions describe.
The plug keeps dropping off Wi-Fi
Check the signal at the outlet: a plug in a far room or behind a thick wall may sit at the edge of the Wi-Fi range, and the outdoor EP40 is the only plug here built for long range. Move the router closer or add an extender, and check that the router has not put the plug on a guest network that isolates devices. If only one plug drops while others hold steady, reset that plug and set it up again from scratch.
Voice commands stop working
First check that the plug still responds in its own app. If the app works but voice does not, the link between the plug account and the voice assistant has usually broken: unlink and relink the skill or service in the Alexa, Google, or Apple Home app, then try the command again. Also check that the plug has the same name in both apps, since a renamed plug can confuse the assistant.
The plug switches off on its own
Check the schedules, timers, and away mode in the app, since a forgotten schedule is the usual cause. Also check for a routine in the voice assistant app that switches the plug, and check whether anyone else in the household set an automation. If no schedule exists, check the plug rating against the appliance: an overloaded plug can cut out to protect itself, and a heater on a 10A plug is a common cause.
Questions, answered
How do I reset a smart plug?
Hold the button on the plug for about ten seconds until the light blinks, which returns it to pairing mode. The exact hold time varies by maker, so check the instructions for your plug. After a reset, set the plug up again from scratch in its app.
Why does my plug only work on 2.4GHz?
Smart plugs use 2.4GHz because it reaches further through walls than 5GHz, which matters for a device that sits behind furniture. Most routers broadcast both bands, so switch the 2.4GHz band on if the plug cannot see the network.
My plug works in the app but not by voice. Why?
The link between the plug account and the voice assistant has usually broken. Unlink and relink the skill or service in the assistant app, check the plug name matches in both apps, and try the command again.