This switching power supply 1 has: a switch output stage (101, D1, L1, C2) which generates an output voltage Vout by rectifying and smoothing a switch voltage Vsw that is pulse-driven in response to ON/OFF of an output transistor 101; and a discharge circuit 120 which discharges an output voltage Vout when a state in which the output voltage Vout exceeds a target value continues for a period longer than a prescribed time period. For example, the discharge circuit 120 includes a discharge transistor M1 that is connected to and between a voltage application end of the switch voltage Vsw and a grounding end. The discharge transistor M1 is turned ON/OFF periodically or is kept ON continually for discharge of the output voltage Vout.