How to Open Up the WLPP1 Wyze Plug: What You Need to Know Before Disassembling
The Wyze Plug (model WLPP1) is one of the more popular compact smart plugs on the market — simple to set up, Wi-Fi connected, and designed to be left alone once it's in the wall. So when someone searches "how to open up" one, the reasons vary widely: curiosity about the internals, a repair attempt, a firmware flash gone wrong, or investigating a hardware fault.
Here's what you actually need to know before cracking one open — including what's inside, the risks involved, and the variables that determine whether doing this makes sense for your situation.
What the WLPP1 Actually Is (Internally)
The Wyze Plug WLPP1 is a compact 2.4GHz Wi-Fi smart plug built around a small microcontroller paired with a relay switch. Internally, it typically contains:
- A Wi-Fi module (often based on ESP8266 or a similar low-power SoC)
- A relay that physically switches the load circuit on and off
- A small PCB handling power regulation and communication
- Basic onboard firmware that connects to the Wyze cloud infrastructure
This matters because people who want to open the plug are often interested in reflashing the firmware (e.g., with Tasmota for local control) or inspecting a component after a failure.
Is the WLPP1 Designed to Be Opened?
No — like most consumer smart plugs, the WLPP1 is not designed for user disassembly. There are no screws or visible access panels. The case is held together with plastic clips and friction-fit housing, meaning it's intended to be a sealed unit.
That said, it can be opened with the right approach — but it's not a clean process.
⚠️ Important: The WLPP1 operates on mains voltage (120V AC in the US). Working on internal components without proper electrical knowledge carries serious safety risks. Always ensure the plug is completely unplugged from the wall before attempting any disassembly.
How to Physically Open the WLPP1 Wyze Plug
Since there are no screws, opening the unit requires careful prying. Here's the general approach used by the hardware modding community:
Tools You'll Likely Need
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Plastic pry tool or spudger | Separating the housing clips without gouging the plastic |
| Flathead screwdriver (thin) | Secondary prying leverage |
| Hobby knife | Scoring seam edges if adhesive is present |
| Soldering iron (optional) | For firmware flashing via UART pins |
The Opening Process
Locate the seam — Run your finger around the edge of the plug body where the front face meets the rear housing. This seam is where the clips are seated.
Insert a plastic pry tool into the seam — Work around the perimeter gradually. Don't force a single point; the clips are distributed around the edge and applying even pressure reduces the chance of cracking the housing.
Apply gentle, consistent pressure — You'll hear small clicks as clips release. Work your way around the full perimeter before attempting to separate the two halves.
Separate the halves carefully — The PCB may be attached to one side. Don't yank the two halves apart — internal wiring (particularly to the relay or prong assembly) may still connect them.
Inspect before touching — Once open, identify the components before doing anything else.
🔧 The plastic housing on the WLPP1 is not designed to survive repeated openings. Expect some cosmetic damage to the clips, and reassembly may require adhesive if you want the case to close securely again.
Why People Open the WLPP1 — And What It Means for How You Proceed
The reason you're opening the plug significantly changes what you'll do once it's open.
Firmware Reflashing (Tasmota / Custom Firmware)
A common reason is flashing third-party firmware to enable local MQTT control without Wyze's cloud dependency. This requires identifying UART test pads on the PCB, connecting a USB-to-serial adapter, and using flashing tools like esptool. This process requires comfort with command-line tools and basic soldering.
Variable: Early WLPP1 hardware revisions were more flash-friendly. Later revisions changed the chip or added flash protection, making this more complex or impossible without chip-level work.
Hardware Fault Diagnosis
If the plug stopped working, opening it lets you visually inspect for burned components, relay failure, or capacitor damage. This is useful for diagnosis but repair is only practical if you have soldering skills and can source components.
Curiosity or Education
If you're opening it just to understand the internals, that's entirely valid — just know reassembly with a non-destructive housing is unlikely.
The Variables That Determine Your Outcome
Not every WLPP1 is the same, and several factors shape what's actually possible once you're inside:
- Hardware revision — Wyze has shipped multiple PCB revisions under the same model number. The chip model, test pad locations, and flash protection status differ between runs.
- Firmware version at time of opening — Some firmware versions enable OTA-only updates and disable serial flashing.
- Your soldering comfort level — UART pads on compact plugs are small. Without steady hands and a fine-tip iron, you risk damaging the board.
- Your end goal — Reflashing, repairing, and inspecting are three meaningfully different tasks requiring different skill sets and tools.
What "Opening Up" Can and Can't Fix
Opening the WLPP1 gives you physical access to the hardware — it doesn't automatically solve a software problem, restore a bricked device, or guarantee a successful firmware flash. The internal chip, its current firmware state, and the specific hardware revision all interact in ways that aren't visible from the outside.
Someone with a hardware revision that supports easy serial flashing and a device running an older firmware will have a very different experience than someone with a newer unit where flash protection has been enabled at the chip level.
Your specific plug's revision, its current firmware state, and what you're trying to accomplish are the missing pieces that determine whether opening it gets you where you need to go.