# Change node unexpected behavior

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/change-node-unexpected-behavior/55078>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [12 December 2021 14:48 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/change-node-unexpected-behavior/55078 "2021-12-12T14:48:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![peterda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@peterda](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/peterda)\
**Post date:** [12 December 2021 14:48 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/change-node-unexpected-behavior/55078/1 "2021-12-12T14:48:54Z")

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Change node has unexpected behavior.  
Maybe my understanding of this node is wrong, or is it?

 ![Node-RED-192-168-99-30](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/f/b/fbc3d4e0c92e399c19055e763b0a00787b5fbac6.png)

The change node receives msg.payload "on" and should replace that with {"state";"OFF"}.  
As seen in the debug output it just sends the original "on" in msg.payload.  
I also tried to search for string "on" and replace it with string {"state";"OFF"}, same result.

Can someone explain me why?  
It is mind boggling, and drives me mad.

I run "[docker.io/nodered/node-red:latest](http://docker.io/nodered/node-red:latest)" as of now is v2.1.4

Thanks Peter

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**Author:** ![jbudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5f8ce5/32.png) [@jbudd](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/jbudd)\
**Post date:** [12 December 2021 14:53 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/change-node-unexpected-behavior/55078/2 "2021-12-12T14:53:04Z")

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Remove the quotes round "on" in your chage node.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![peterda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@peterda](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/peterda)\
**Post date:** [12 December 2021 14:56 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/change-node-unexpected-behavior/55078/3 "2021-12-12T14:56:27Z")

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Thanks, that was it.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [26 December 2021 14:56 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/change-node-unexpected-behavior/55078/4 "2021-12-26T14:56:33Z")

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