A smart light switch usually does not work after installation because the box lacks a neutral wire, the wires are landed on the wrong terminals, the switch isn’t compatible with the circuit, or the setup/Wi‑Fi failed. The most common cause is no neutral in the switch box, which many smart switches need to power the electronics. In our Palm City service area, we also see miswired 3‑way circuits and incompatible LED bulbs cause flicker or no‑power symptoms. A technician insight: on 3‑way circuits, the “common” screw is easy to misidentify; swapping the two traveler wires won’t fix a mislanded common.
Try these checks in order:
- Confirm line vs load on the correct screws; tighten all connections.
- Verify a neutral is present; if not, use a no‑neutral model or have one added.
- Use dimmable, compatible LEDs and meet minimum load if required.
- Connect to 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi, update firmware, and complete app pairing.
If the breaker trips, the switch heats up, or wiring looks uncertain, turn power off at the breaker and call a licensed electrician.
Updated: 2026-06-09
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