Nothing is more frustrating than wanting a nice hot cup of tea or coffee, only to find that the light on your Smeg kettle has stopped working. As anyone who owns a Smeg appliance knows, they are beautiful to look at but can sometimes be temperamental.
Fear not, in most cases the problem is a simple fix. Let’s troubleshoot some potential reasons why your Smeg kettle light may have stopped working:
Smeg Kettle Light Not Working (Solved)
Bulb Has Burned Out
The most common reason a kettle light stops working is because the bulb has simply burned out over time. Smeg kettles use a standard 12V/1.3W G4 bulb that can last several years with regular use but will eventually need replacing.
To check if the bulb is burned out, first unplug the kettle and allow it to fully cool. Open up the kettle base by removing any screws or clips holding it shut. The bulb will be located inside, usually held in place by a clip or screw fitting.
Remove it and inspect – if the filament inside is black or broken, it’s time for a new bulb. Replacement bulbs can be found online or at most appliance parts stores for just a few dollars.
Loose or Faulty Connections
If changing the bulb doesn’t fix the problem, there may be a loose or faulty connection preventing power from reaching the bulb. Wiring inside appliances can sometimes come loose over time due to normal vibration.
Check that the wires connecting the bulb to the main circuit board are firmly in place and not damaged, loose, or corroded. Gently wiggle any connections while the kettle is unplugged to see if they feel secure. If loose, tighten carefully or replace if wires appear faulty. Loose connections are a common issue that a little TLC can remedy.
The Has Malfunctioned
Smeg kettles have a small toggle switch located on the base that turns the light on and off. Over extended use, switches can deteriorate and fail to make a solid connection. Test the switch by toggling it back and forth while the new bulb is installed – the light should turn on and off smoothly.
If it feels sticky, gets stuck, or the light no longer responds to the switch being flipped, the switch itself may need replacement. Smeg switch replacements are inexpensive and a simple DIY fix involving disconnecting a few wires.
Power Supply Issue
If the bulb, connections, and switch all check out fine, there could potentially be a fault with the internal power supply that runs the light. Smeg kettles use a small transformer to step down household voltage to the 12V required by the bulb.
On older models especially, transformers can fail over time. As a test, try powering the bulb using an external 12V power source like a USB car charger connected directly to the bulb wires with the transformer disconnected. If the light now works, the built-in transformer would be the culprit. Replacing this may require a professional repair.
Boil-Dry Protection Tripped
A less common but possible issue is that the kettle’s boil-dry protection has tripped due to the water boiling away completely at some point. Most kettles have a thermal cut-out built-in that shuts off all power to the heating element and light if no water is detected for safety reasons.
To reset this, simply fill the kettle with cold water and leave it to sit undisturbed for 30 minutes before attempting to boil. The thermal cut-out should reset itself once it cools fully. Try heating the water after – the light may now function normally again.
When in Doubt, Contact Smeg Support
If none of the above solutions solve the problem, it’s best to contact Smeg customer support for further troubleshooting guidance. They may be able to walk through some additional tests over the phone or recommend sending the kettle in for professional diagnosis and repair.
Smeg prides itself on quality products and stands by their excellent warranty, so don’t hesitate to reach out. A small fee may apply for repairs needed outside of the standard coverage period.
Final Thoughts
With a little patience and some basic troubleshooting, you should be able to identify why your lovely Smeg kettle light is on the fritz. More often than not, it’s a quick and inexpensive fix to get you back brewing your favorite beverages in no time. Let me know if any of these solutions help resolve the issue or if you have additional questions!