Why is there a smell coming from my outlet?

Noticing a strange odor—such as melting plastic, fish, or hot ozone—emanating from a wall electrical outlet points to a serious thermal overload or severe electrical arcing behind the faceplate. This occurs when loose terminal screw connections, degraded wire insulation, or overloaded branch circuits generate high resistance and extreme localized heat. The rising temperature begins to melt the phenolic or thermoplastic components of the receptacle housing and wire wirenuts, producing a distinct chemical burning smell. You can troubleshoot outlet odors safely by shutting off the circuit breaker immediately. You can verify that your corrective action is successful when cutting power, removing the wall plate to inspect for scorching, and replacing the compromised receptacle eliminates the heat source and stops the unusual smell.