how to repair a dead outlet

^{Here’s How to Troubleshoot It}

1. Make sure the problem isn’t with the appliance Sometimes what you think is a dead outlet is actually a dead lamp or electrical appliance. ...
2. Check for a switch to the outlet Sometimes we get called to check out a dead outlet only to find that it’s connected to a flipped off switch. ...
3. Look for a tripped GFCI breaker Electrical outlets that are in damp areas of your home are protected with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). ...
4. Check the breaker panel The circuit that the outlet is on my have been tripped. ...
5. Tighten the outlet electrical connections

Full Answer

How do you troubleshoot a dead GFCI outlet?

Troubleshooting 3 Common GFCI Outlet Problems

1. Wear and Tear GFCI outlets are vulnerable to wear and tear, just like standard electrical outlets, so expect your outlets to be less effective over time. ...
2. Black Wire Touching the Ground Bare If your GFCI is relatively new, the problem could be in the black and white wires. ...
3. Defective Circuit

How can I fix a loose electrical outlet?

To fix electrical outlets that don’t hold plugs, you have several options:

• If it’s the plug that doesn’t stay in the outlet, straighten any misaligned prongs
• For a quick fix of a defective outlet, install an outlet extender add-on.
• For a permanent fix, replace it with a higher grade outlet (such as a hospital-grade receptacle).
• Do not ignore the problem! A loose plug is a hazard, especially if you have kids at home .

How to troubleshoot dead electrical outlets?

Reinstall the Connector

• Gather the wires, making sure their ends are lined up, and twist on a new wire connector. Twist clockwise.
• Match the connector to the number of wires by reading the label on the wire connector packaging.
• Switch the main circuit breaker back on.
• Now test the outlets again to see if you've solved the problem. ...

How to diagnose a dead electrical outlet?

How to Fix a Warm or Sparking Outlet

• Unplug all cords leading to the problem outlet.
• Remove the outlet cover, then the outlet itself.
• Assess whether all the wire ends all firmly connected. Disconnected wires touching each other will produce sparks and flip a circuit breaker off.
• If there is any doubt about the condition of the receptacle, simply replace it. ...

How do I fix an outlet with no power?

Tripped Circuit Breaker If an outlet isn't working, check your circuit breaker panel. The breaker that is tripped will appear to be between the 'on' and 'off' position. Flip the switch to off, then back to on. This will reset the circuit and potentially fix your broken outlet.

Why would an electrical outlet just stopped working?

Common causes when a wall socket stops working include: Failed internal socket connections, which is common in older outlets that no longer snugly hold plugs. A tripped circuit breaker that cuts power to the wall socket. Loose connections within the circuit breaker box.

What can cause a dead outlet?

If your outlet has short circuited or been overloaded, then your circuit breaker may have shut off its power. Check other nearby outlets to see if they are working. If they also are dead, then go to your circuit breaker. When a circuit breaker has tripped, the lever will usually flip to the middle or off position.

How much does it cost to fix a dead outlet?

between $65 and $200Outlet repair costs vary depending on the type of outlet and its location. Most homeowners can expect to pay between $65 and $200 for the project. How long does it take to repair an outlet? It usually takes about an hour to test a receptacle, fix loose connections or install a new outlet.

How can you tell if an outlet is bad?

Watch out for these signs that your outlet is due for a replacement.Outlet Replacement Sign 1: The Outlet Is Not Working. ... Outlet Replacement Sign 2: Burn Marks or Melting. ... Outlet Replacement Sign 3: Cracks and Chips. ... Outlet Replacement Sign 4: Plugs Fall Out Easily. ... Outlet Replacement Sign 5: Outlet Feels Hot to the Touch.More items...•

Can a outlet go bad?

Just like everything else, electrical outlets have an expiration date. They will perform their function for a while but eventually a time will come when they get worn out. A worn-out electrical outlet will either stop working completely or it will give you lots of problems.

Why are my outlets not working but breaker not tripped?

Yes, the outlet can fail without tripping the breaker - failed or dead outlet means that the power is not present and this can be caused not only by tripped breaker (which is not in this case) but can be also caused by damaged electric breakers, bad/loose wiring, failing connectors, and similar.

Is a dead outlet a fire hazard?

A dead outlet isn't just a nuisance. It's also a fire risk, which is why fixing it is a job for a professional electrician. That's especially true for older homes that haven't been rewired in years.

Why do electricians install outlets upside down?

Electricians may position the outlet in an upside-down position so that you can quickly identify the switch-controlled receptacle. Since it stands out visually to most people right away – it provides convenience to the occupants to easily remember which outlet is switch controlled.

How often should electrical outlets be replaced?

Most GFCI outlets will last for about 15 to 25 years, but in certain circumstances, they can fail after 5 years. Here a few common signs that it's time to replace your electrical outlets.

What to do if a lamp is plugged into a dead outlet?

With the lamp still plugged into the dead outlet, try flipping the switches in the room. Even if a switch controls another light, it might also control the outlet. If you find that the switch does control the outlet, and you don’t want it to, an electrician can rewire the outlet for you. If the outlet still isn’t working, move to the next step.

How to check if an outlet is loose?

You can check these connection s by lightly tugging on them. If any come loose, you may have found your problem.

What happens if a GFCI outlet is tripped?

If the GFCI outlet has tripped, the RESET button will be protruding more. Push it in to reset the outlet. Even if the problem outlet does not have the TEST/RESET buttons, it might be connected to another GFCI outlet in your home. Check all of them.

How to turn off a service disconnect?

Turn off the electricity to your home. You can do this inside of your electrical panel by flipping the service disconnect to the OFF position. The service disconnect is at least a double-pole breaker that should be labeled as “service disconnect” or “main”.

Blown Fuse

A blown fuse is another potential problem involving your circuit breaker, but it can be a little more difficult to fix on your own. If you aren’t sure what a blown fuse is supposed to look like, check to see if there’s a component with broken glass or damaged filament – that should be the fuse, and broken one to boot.

GFCI Outlet Malfunction

If you have outlets in your home with “Test” or “Retest” buttons on them, these are Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets. These outlets are designed to automatically shut off when a leak of electrical current occurs.

Bad Wiring

Sometimes your home’s wiring is to blame, especially if you’re in an older home or one that hasn’t been updated in a while. Over time, wiring can loosen or split, resulting in a loss of electrical power to an outlet.

How to check if an outlet is not powered?

Before working on an outlet, turn off the circuit breaker on the service panel. Test the outlet with a voltage tester to double-check that it is not powered. If you feel unsafe in any way, call an electrician .

Can a plastic wire stop an outlet?

Bare copper or green plastic-coated wires are ground wires; they will generally not cause an outlet to stop working. Rarely will conventional, non-GFCI outlet fail, but this does happen sometimes. If you believe this is the case, replace the outlet with another, similar outlet.

Can a non-GFCI outlet be replaced?

Regular ( non-GFCI) outlets have no moving parts that can wear out. If they do fail, they can be easily replaced. Featured Video. Most problems are simple to fix because they are localized either in the outlet or in the service panel (circuit breakers). If you imagine, with some fear, that the issue involves pulling down drywall to access electrical ...

Can you replace an outlet by yourself?

If there is any doubt about the condition of the receptacle, simply replace it. It is easy enough to replace an outlet by yourself and will give you added peace of mind.

How to check if other outlets are dead?

Switch lights on and off and test nearby outlets for power. Use a voltage tester or plug in a lamp to test the outlets. Unplug lamps and appliances from dead outlets.

What to do if you find a loose outlet?

If you do discover a loose connection at an outlet, whether it's at the screw terminal or a stab-in connection, replace the outlet with a new one. Pro tip: Loose connections almost always create excess heat that could damage the outlet and lead to future problems.

How to reset a tripped breaker?

Reset the breaker by pushing the handle firmly to "on." It should line up with all the rest.#N#Pro Tip: If it "pops" back to the tripped position, there's a problem in the wiring or in something that's plugged into the circuit.#N#Tripped circuit breakers aren't always apparent. If you don't see a tripped breaker, firmly press every breaker to the "off" position. Then switch them back on.#N#If the tripped breaker won't reset without tripping again, there could be a potentially dangerous short circuit or ground fault condition.

What happens if a circuit breaker is tripped?

Tripped circuit breakers aren't always apparent. If you don't see a tripped breaker, firmly press every breaker to the "off" position. Then switch them back on. If the tripped breaker won't reset without tripping again, there could be a potentially dangerous short circuit or ground fault condition.

What is a GFCI outlet?

GFCI (short for "ground fault circuit interrupter") outlets, those unusual outlets with the test and reset buttons, are required in areas of the house where shock hazards are greatest.#N#Pro tip: GFCI's protect against deadly electrical shocks by sensing leaks in the electrical current and immediately tripping to shut off the power.

What causes a tripped circuit breaker?

Pro tip: In most cases, a tripped circuit breaker is caused by a temporary overload on the circuit or a short circuit in some device plugged into the circuit. But in rare cases, a loose wire in an electrical box could be causing the problem. Follow the photos below, to look for and repair loose connections. Step 8.

Do downstream receptacles need to be labeled?

Protected "downstream" receptacle should be labeled if they have GFCI protection. A current leak at any one of the outlets will trip the GFCI and cause all of the outlets connected to it to go dead. Pro tip: These GFCI-protected outlets are supposed to be labeled, but the label often falls off. Step 10.