Burning smell from a socket?
A burning smell, a buzzing sound or brown marks round a socket mean something is overheating. Switch it off now and call us.
Rather we called you? Request a callback
You notice a faint smell, like hot plastic. You follow it to a plug socket behind the sofa. The plate is warm and there's a brown mark round one of the holes.
That's a warning sign worth taking seriously.
What to do right now
- Switch off that circuit at your fuse box. If you're not sure which one, switch off the main switch.
- Don't touch the socket or plug if it's hot, melted or scorched.
- If there's smoke or fire, get everyone out and call 999.
Why sockets overheat
- Loose wires inside the socket, switch or plug
- Too many things plugged into one socket or extension lead
- Old or damaged sockets and cables
- A faulty appliance or charger
How we fix it
Our electrician switches off the circuit and takes out the damaged socket. They check the cable behind it for heat damage and replace anything that's burnt. Then they test the circuit and turn the power back on once it's safe.
How a callout works
- You call. A real person answers and talks you through making it safe.
- We dispatch the nearest free engineer and text you their name and arrival time. We aim for 60 minutes, and if traffic or a busy night means longer, we tell you straight away.
- The engineer diagnoses the fault and gives you a fixed price before starting.
- We fix it, tidy up and email your invoice and photos.
See our callout prices. If you decide not to go ahead after the quote, you pay only the callout.
Related help guides
For homes and businesses
Residential: houses, flats, mansion blocks, period and listed homes, and rented properties. We protect your floors and finishes, and can meet a tenant or work with your porter or concierge.
Commercial: offices, restaurants, bars, cafés, hotels, shops, clinics and managed buildings. We work out of hours if you need us to, and offer accounts with monthly invoicing. See commercial plumbing and electrical services.
Common questions
What should I do if a plug socket smells of burning?
Switch off that circuit at the fuse box straight away and don't touch the socket. Call an electrician. If there's smoke or fire, get out and call 999.
Why is my plug socket hot?
Usually a loose wire inside or too many things plugged in. Stop using it, switch off the circuit and get it checked.
Can a burnt socket be repaired?
The socket is replaced, and the electrician checks the cable behind it. Any heat-damaged cable is cut back or replaced before the power goes back on.
Areas we cover
We cover central London (Westminster, the City, Kensington and Chelsea) and west London (Hammersmith, Fulham, Chiswick, Acton and Ealing).