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uk Home & property emergencies appliance popped and smells burning • loud pop from appliance • burning smell no flames • electrical burning smell in kitchen • burning plastic smell from plug • sparking noise from appliance • appliance short circuit smell • fuse tripped after popping sound • burning smell from socket • white goods burning smell • washing machine popped and smells • tumble dryer burning smell • toaster popped burning smell • something electrical smells hot • burning smell after switching on • electrical smell but no smoke • plug looks scorched • buzzing and burning smell appliance

What to do if…
you hear a loud popping sound from an appliance and a burning smell starts but you can’t see flames

Short answer

Stop using it immediately and cut power: switch off at the socket and unplug only if it’s safe to touch (unplug by gripping the plug, not the cord). If anything looks/feels hot or damaged, turn the circuit off at the consumer unit instead, and be ready to leave and call 999 if you can’t make it safe or conditions worsen.

Do not do these things

  • Do not “test it again” to see if it still works.
  • Do not touch the plug, cable, or casing if it’s hot, sticky, melted, or visibly damaged.
  • Do not pull a plug out by yanking the cord.
  • Do not use water (or a wet cloth) on the appliance, socket, or anything electrical.
  • Do not open the appliance to investigate while it’s connected to power.
  • Do not keep resetting a tripped breaker/RCD or replacing a fuse and retrying—repeated tripping or any scorching/warmth at a socket needs checking.
  • Do not ignore a burning smell just because you can’t see flames.

What to do now

  1. Create a safer pause. Move people and pets out of the room. Keep the area clear.
  2. Cut the power to the appliance.
    • If it’s plugged in and safe to reach: switch off at the socket, then unplug by holding the plug.
    • If it’s hardwired, the plug/socket looks damaged, or anything is hot: turn off the relevant circuit at the consumer unit (if unsure, use the main switch).
  3. Check for escalation signs from a safe distance. Look for smoke, glowing, crackling, heat, or a strong smell that continues/intensifies after power is off.
    • If any of these are present, or you cannot safely isolate power: leave the home, close doors behind you, and call 999.
  4. Ventilate if it’s safe. Once power is off, open a window/door to clear the smell. If the air is irritating to breathe, leave the room.
  5. Make it “can’t restart.” Keep it unplugged / circuit off. Put a note on the plug or consumer unit so nobody reconnects it by mistake.
  6. Get the right help and give them the right facts.
    • If you rent: tell your landlord/agent/building manager you isolated power due to a suspected electrical fault.
    • If you own: contact a qualified electrician if the socket/circuit could be involved; contact the manufacturer/appliance repairer if it seems confined to the appliance.
    • When you contact them, report: what you heard (pop), what you smelled, whether anything tripped at the consumer unit, any warmth/discolouration/scorching at the socket/plug, and what power you turned off.
  7. If it’s a major appliance. Note the brand/model/serial and check for safety notices/recalls; registering appliances helps you receive alerts.

What can wait

  • You do not need to diagnose whether it was a motor, capacitor, plug fuse, or wiring fault.
  • You do not need to decide today whether to repair or replace—first keep it powered down and assessed.
  • You do not need to tidy immediately if the smell is strong; safety and ventilation come first.

Important reassurance

A loud pop with a burning smell can come from a failed component and doesn’t always turn into a fire, but it is a meaningful warning sign. Cutting power quickly and preventing reconnection is a strong first step.

Scope note

These are first steps only. If there’s repeated tripping, any scorching/warmth at a socket, or the smell persists after power is off, treat it as an electrical safety problem and use a qualified professional.

Important note

This guide is general information for urgent first steps. If you see smoke or fire, feel unsafe, cannot isolate the power, or anyone has breathing difficulty, leave and contact emergency services immediately.

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