Why does my plug-in night light feel warm or get hot to touch?

A slight warmth can be normal in a mains-powered LED night light, but the unit should never become uncomfortably hot, smell burnt or show signs of damage. If it does, stop using it and unplug it before checking anything else.

Check the socket and the fit

1. Unplug the night light and plug another small appliance into the same socket. If the other appliance works normally, the socket is likely supplying power correctly.
2. Inspect the night light plug for bending, scorch marks or looseness. A poor fit can create extra heat at the contacts.
3. Insert the night light fully into the wall socket without using an adaptor or extension lead. If the unit feels more secure and runs cooler, the previous connection may have been the issue.

If the socket itself feels warm, shows marks, or the plug will not sit firmly, stop using that socket and have it checked by a qualified person.

Rule out blocked ventilation and unsuitable placement

Place the night light in open air, not behind curtains, furniture or other plug-in items. Although these lights use low power, trapped heat cannot dissipate properly in a confined space. For the Smartwares IDE-60090, IDE-60091 and IDE-60092, the product data shows a 1 W output and class II construction, so the unit should run at low power under normal use.

1. Move the unit to a clear socket with space around it.
2. Leave it on for 20 minutes and feel the casing carefully.
3. If the heat is still noticeably strong, unplug it and do not use it again until the retailer has advised on next steps.

What the result means

• Only mildly warm: usually normal operating heat.
• Warm plus flickering, crackling, smell or discolouration: stop using it immediately.
• Heat that gets worse over time: stop using it and contact the retailer or store where it was purchased.

For prevention, keep the plug pins clean and dry, avoid overcrowding sockets and check the night light regularly for dust build-up around the plug.