To reset a GFCI outlet, press the RESET button firmly until it clicks. To reset a tripped breaker, push the handle all the way to Off, then back to On. Both are safe for a homeowner to do if you keep your hands dry and leave the panel cover on. If either trips again right away, stop and call an electrician.
Time: about 5 minutes. Skill: easy.
Safety first
- Stand on a dry floor with dry hands. Never reset anything while standing in water.
- Never take the cover off your electrical panel. Everything you need is on the front.
- If you smell burning, hear buzzing, or see scorch marks, do not reset anything. Call an electrician.
- Unplug or switch off whatever was running when the power went out.
What is a GFCI outlet?
A GFCI outlet has two small buttons in the middle, marked TEST and RESET. It cuts power in a fraction of a second if it senses electricity going where it should not, such as through water. You usually find them in bathrooms, kitchens, garages and outdoors. One GFCI can also protect other outlets downstream on the same circuit, which is why it is common to find a dead outlet in one room and the tripped GFCI in another.
How do you reset a GFCI outlet?
- Unplug what was plugged into the dead outlet.
- Find the GFCI outlet. If the dead one has no buttons, look for another outlet nearby, in the garage, a bathroom or outside, that does.
- Press the RESET button firmly until it clicks. The button may pop out when it works.
- Plug in a lamp or phone charger to confirm power is back.
- Test it: press TEST. The power should cut off. Press RESET again to restore it. Manufacturers generally suggest testing GFCIs about once a month.
If it will not reset, check other GFCI outlets in the house, including the garage and exterior. If none reset, call an electrician.
How do you reset a tripped breaker?
- Open the panel door. Look for a breaker handle sitting in the middle or in the Off position.
- Turn off or unplug devices on that circuit.
- Push the handle firmly all the way to Off. You should feel it click.
- Then push it all the way back to On.
- Turn devices back on one at a time.
Do this once. If it trips again, do not keep resetting it. Never tape or hold a breaker on.
Why does a breaker or GFCI keep tripping?
Common reasons include an overloaded circuit, such as a space heater, microwave and toaster on one line, or a faulty appliance. In Arizona, summer AC strain is another cause. Outdoor GFCI outlets also trip after monsoon storms, sprinkler spray or dust and moisture inside the cover. If an outdoor outlet trips after rain, let it dry out and try again. If it keeps happening, have it checked.
When to call a pro
Call an electrician if:
- A breaker trips again right after you reset it
- A GFCI will not reset with nothing plugged in
- An outlet or panel feels hot, buzzes, or smells like burning
- Lights flicker across the house
- You see damaged or discolored outlets
Panel work, new wiring, and replacing breakers or outlets are not do-it-yourself jobs for most homeowners. Check a contractor's license at roc.az.gov. Here are local electricians in the directory, with phone numbers:
If you are not sure what you have, ask the helper or browse Phoenix businesses.
Questions people ask
Why is there no power to an outlet but the breaker is not tripped?
The outlet may be fed by a GFCI that tripped somewhere else, such as a garage, bathroom or outdoor outlet. Reset every GFCI you can find. If power is still out, call an electrician.
Is it bad if a breaker trips a lot?
Yes, it is a sign something is wrong. Breakers trip to protect the wiring. Repeated trips mean an overload, a bad appliance or a wiring fault, and an electrician should find out which.
Can I replace a GFCI outlet myself?
Many people do, but it involves live wiring, and a mistake can cause shock or fire. If you are not trained, hire a licensed electrician.
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