If your smart meter stops sending readings, your bills go back to estimates. Since 23 February 2026, suppliers must pay you £40 automatically if they don't give you a plan to fix a reported problem within 5 working days.
Checked 8 October 2026Written by the MyBillChecker team
Signs something's wrong
Your bill shows estimated readings
The in-home display stopped updating
Your use looks far too high or too low
You switched supplier and the meter stopped working "smart"
Automatic £40 payments for smart meters
Since February 2026, your supplier must pay £40 automatically if:
you wait more than six weeks for a smart meter installation appointment
an installation appointment fails because of something in the supplier's control
it doesn't give you a plan to fix a reported problem within 5 working days
Ofgem has not yet confirmed a further payment for meters left out of smart mode for more than 90 days. It has said it will take final decisions on this in the latter half of 2026 (Ofgem).
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to accept a smart meter?
No, though suppliers must offer them.
Can a smart meter be faulty?
Yes, though rarely. You can ask for an accuracy test.
