Power Strip Keeps Turning Off? Fix Methods That Work

If your power strip keeps turning off, there is a chance that it can cut the flow of electricity in your home.

So, you need to find out if it has built-in surge protection capabilities or not in order to provide the best solution.

The most common reasons your power strip keeps on turning off are low voltage and power surges. To avoid low voltage, make sure all appliances are compatible with one another before plugging them in together or use a power strip with two or more strips. In case of a power surge, buy a voltage stabilizer to regulate the current.

Power strips offer protection against electrical surges that may damage your devices.

However, like other tools, they can develop problems over time. Learn about the common causes of power strip issues, so you can impose preventive measures and apply appropriate solutions.

Why My Power Strip Keeps Turning Off

There are several causes why your power strip keeps on turning off. The most common include plugging in too many devices in a single power strip or using it over a long period.

If you know the cause of the problem, you can find the proper solution so you can make your power strip work normally again.

Overload

An overload happens when there is a surge of electricity, a faulty power supply system, and too many powerful devices.

When your power strip shuts off, the overload may be due to an excessive number of appliances.

In most cases, you can solve the issue by reducing the load on the power strip.  

Faulty or Damaged Wiring

Loose connections and frayed wires cause your electricity to flow in unstable quantities.

If your power strip has surge protection, it will react to the instability by shutting off the circuit to protect your appliances.

Consider getting it checked by an electrician to verify and solve the issue.

Low Voltage

Under voltage happens when you use several devices with varied electrical source requirements.

When you have a lamp plugged in an outlet and an air conditioner on another, you run the risk of a device pulling more electricity than the others.

To prevent your power strip from shutting off, make sure all devices are compatible before plugging them together.

Power Surge

A power surge is one of the most common reasons why your power strip keeps shutting off. It can be due to lightning or an overload caused by some large appliance.

The best solution to this problem is using a power stabilizer or replacing your current power strip with one that has surge protection.

Now that you know the common causes why your power strip keeps on turning off, you can apply the right solution to fix it.

Try the simple steps below before deciding to replace your device.

How to My Fix Power Strip Keeps Turning Off

There are many ways to minimize the number of times your power strip turns off.

They only require a few household tools, so you don’t need advanced skills to try to fix the issue.

Solution #1: Plug Your Power Strip to a Different Wall Socket

If the issue is due to an electrical surge, the outlet may be grounded. Check the wall socket where your power strip is plugged in.

If it is warm and has a burnt smell, unplug your power strip and plug it into a different wall socket.

Note: The voltage running through a power strip is 120V.

This is enough to cause serious injury with contact, so be careful when plugging or unplugging it.

Solution #2: Unplug Other Devices Plugged Into The Power Strip

Appliances such as blenders and vacuum cleaners cause small surges of electricity that may shut off your power strip.

You will know your power strip is overloaded when you hear several clicks whenever you turn on these devices.

1. Never plug major appliances into a power strip, such as refrigerators, laundry equipment, dishwasher, and stove.
2. Never plug a power strip into another power strip.
3. Ideally, only plug in as many cords in line with the apparent capacity of the strip.

Note: Turn off the power or unplug the power strip if you plan to be away for an extended period. Make sure no unnecessary appliances are plugged in as well.

Solution #3: Use a Voltage Stabilizer

Protect your appliances from harmful low/high voltage fluctuations with a voltage stabilizer.

Here’s how to install one in your home:

1. Check the Components

Check the components of the voltage stabilizer before connecting the voltage stabilizer input terminal to the switchboard.

2. Connection

Connect the power supply of the power consumption equipment to the output terminal.

The rated input voltage of your appliances should be consistent with that of your voltage stabilizer.

3. Turn On

Turn on the switch of the voltage stabilizer and see if the value is normal. If yes, turn on the power consumption equipment.

Note: If you do not use the power consumption equipment for a long time, turn off its power switch.

This is to reduce electrical consumption and extend your voltage stabilizer’s life.

Solution #4: Check for Damaged Wiring

Damaged wiring is one reason why a power strip keeps turning off.

A broken wire will weaken over time and will not be able to support any electricity in the long run. Eventually, your appliances will no longer function properly.

The power strip cord usually comes with three layers:

1. An inner layer of copper wires that transfer the electric current to appliances and devices
2. Another layer for the insulation of copper wires
3. A third outer layer is made of rubber to protect the inner layers

Note: You should watch out for any cracks, damages, or changes in the appearance of the wires. Keep them straight at all times and away from sharp objects.

Solution #5: Don’t Plug In Heavy Duty Appliances

The Amperage rating determines the capacity of the power strip. When buying a power strip, choose one that can accommodate the devices you want to connect.

1. Light-duty power strips have a 1-13 Amp rating and accommodate fans and lamps.
2. Heavy-duty power strips have a 16-20 Amp rating and can meet the needs of saws and air compressors.

Note: Do not plug heavy-duty appliances in light-duty power strips and extension cords.

You need to use a power strip with the right capacity to accommodate heavy-duty devices without shutting down.

Read Next: Can You Plug a Smart Plug Into A Power Strip?

Last Thoughts

Check for overloading or power surges if your power strip keeps shutting off. If the cause of the issue is an overloaded power strip, unplug some of the devices connected to it. If it’s a power surge, replace your current power strip with one that has surge protection or buy a voltage stabilizer.  

If your power strip keeps turning off, you will find useful insights on why this happens and what you can do to fix it in this post.

If you have tried everything in this post, but your power strip still continues to shut off, hire an electrician to check your home.

If you think this post is useful, but you have another electrical issue, our blog can definitely help you.