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Tapo Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug Warning

This is not a full review of the Tapo Wifi plugs, this page is a warning about a potentially dangerous yet common failure mode for Tapo wifi plugs that all owners need to be aware of.

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The Problem

Reports online show that many models of Tapo Wifi plug have a high failure rate. Rather than failing in OFF mode, they fail in a way that causes them to rapidly cycle ON and OFF continuously forever.

This appears to happen due to a failed capacitor inside the device.

Many owners report as many as 30-60% of their Tapo smart plugs have failed in this way, often within a year of purchase.

The Danger

While you need to be thoughtful of what devices are plugged into any smart plug, these Tapo plugs pose an additional risk.

The rapid ON-OFF cycling can damage devices attached to the plug or cause safety measures in attached devices to not work properly leading to damage/failure of the attached device. There may also be safety and fire impacts to some attached devices from the rapid power cycling.

You may not notice the failed plug for hours to days during which time the power will by cycling hundreds of times per minute.

Affected Models

  • P110
  • P110M
  • P125
  • P125M
  • KP105
  • KP115

Additional models may also be affected. Contact Me if you find other affected models.

Reports

What To Do?

  1. Contact Tapo to report the issue if it happens to you. Even if your device is out of warranty, they need to be informed.
    1. Reporting to your local/state/country consumer safety organization as well if any damage occurred
  2. DO NOT use this device with sensitive electronics or devices with high power draw
  3. Consider not using affected Tapo products at all. There are likely more models affected than just the ones identified here.
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