Socket not working, hot, buzzing or burning? What it means and what to do

Socket not working

1. Try another appliance in the socket, to rule out the appliance or its fuse.
2. Check the fuse box for a tripped RCD or circuit breaker and reset it once.
3. If other sockets in the room are dead too, the problem is probably on the circuit, not the socket.
4. If the switch won't reset, or the socket is still dead, call an electrician. A loose connection can make a socket, or a whole circuit, stop working.

Socket hot, buzzing or crackling

Sockets shouldn't feel more than slightly warm. Heat, buzzing or crackling usually means a loose connection is arcing inside the socket or the plug, or the socket is overloaded, for example by a heater on an adaptor. Unplug everything, stop using it, and get it looked at.

Scorch marks or a burning smell

Brown or black marks around a socket, a melted plug or a burning smell are signs of overheating. Switch the circuit off at the fuse box if it's safe to and call an electrician. If there's smoke or fire, get everyone out and call 999.

Loose sockets

A socket that moves in the wall can strain the connections behind it. It's a quick fix, but it's worth doing before the connections work loose.

Avoiding problems

• Don't run heaters or other high-power appliances from adaptors or extension leads.
• Don't daisy-chain extension leads.
• If you rely on adaptors, it's time for extra sockets.

Need a hand?

E.A Electrician Ltd is a North London electrical company based in Wood Green, N22, rated 5.0 from 32 Google reviews. See our fault finding & repairs service, or call 07871 056970 for a free estimate.

Quick answers

Published by E.A Electrician Ltd. Last updated 1 November 2026.