Most people have experienced a time where you plugged an appliance such as a blender or hairdryer into a GFCI outlet, flipped the ON switch, and…nothing happened. Usually, this issue is easily solved by unplugging the appliance and hitting the RESET button before plugging it back in. In some cases, though, the outlet might not turn back on. Here’s what to do when an outlet doesn’t reset.
- Clear around the outlet. GFCI units are there for a reason–they protect you, and your appliances from electrical shock should water interact with the socket. If the outlet is not working, clear the area around it. Unplug and remove appliances, turn the water off, wipe down the counters, and give the room time to dehumidify if you recently got out of the shower. It could be that water from the air or appliance plug got into the socket, so making sure the area around it is clean and dry will eliminate some possible sources of the problem.
- Determine the cause (if possible). You should not ignore an outlet that has stopped working, as it can be evidence of greater danger. While you don’t want to attempt to completely disassemble the outlet (that is a job for a professional), it is a good idea to try and determine the general cause of the problem so that you can do what you can to mitigate the situation. Take a look around the room and adjacent rooms. Do you notice any lights that have also gone out, or are any other outlets not functioning correctly? If there are other affected areas, something has interfered with the entire circuit. If it is just the GFCI that is not working, you can deduce that the issue is localized.
- Check the control panel. In the case of a tripped circuit, you should check your control panel for a flipped breaker. It could likely be that plugging in the extra appliance overloaded the circuit and caused the breaker to trip. If this is indeed the case, unplug one or two other things from the circuit, then flip the breaker back to the ON position. Now when you plug in the appliance you were trying to use and turn it on, it should work.
- If only the GFCI outlet is affected… The problem may be external or internal. First, check to ensure that the outlet is screwed on tightly and not loose. Next, if the outlet is not working, but the RESET button has not popped out, this is a sign that the unit is defective and needs to be replaced. It could also not be adequately wired, especially if the RESET button constantly pops out every time you try to use the outlet. The wires themselves may also be too loosely connected to the terminals.
It is best for your safety and the safety of the outlet to have an experienced, licensed electrician diagnose the specific issue and repair it. Even extensive YouTube videos cannot guarantee that an inexperienced homeowner can safely perform an electrical repair.
Promise Electric employs a team of master electricians experienced in residential and commercial repairs of all kinds. Call our Sarasota offices today – whether you require a minor repair or a large electrical installation.
