Electrical problem
GFCI outlet won't reset
A GFCI that will not reset is in one of three states. It has no power coming to it. It is detecting a real ground fault and doing its job. Or the device has reached the end of its life. Unplugging everything it protects is the quickest way to tell these apart.
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Isolate the cause in five steps
Unplug everything
Disconnect every item on the GFCI and on any dead outlets nearby, including outdoor and garage outlets it may protect.
Check the breaker
A GFCI with no incoming power cannot reset. Push the circuit's breaker fully off, then on.
Press RESET firmly
Push until it clicks. Some devices need TEST pressed first.
If it resets, plug items back one at a time
The one that trips it has a fault. Outdoor equipment, old freezers and anything that got wet are the usual suspects.
If it will not reset with nothing connected
The device has failed, has been miswired, or there is a fault in the fixed wiring. That is a job for an electrician.
What the behavior means
| Behavior | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Button will not stay in, no click | No power to the device, or line and load wires reversed |
| Resets, then trips at once with nothing plugged in | Ground fault in downstream wiring, or moisture in an outdoor box |
| Trips when a particular appliance runs | That appliance is leaking current to ground |
| Trips in or after rain | Water in an outdoor outlet, fixture or underground cable |
| Trips at random, device is more than ten years old | The GFCI is worn out |
| Indicator light is red or blinking | The device's self-test has found a failure. Replace it |
A tripping GFCI is usually telling the truth
It is tempting to see a GFCI that keeps tripping as a faulty part and swap it for an ordinary outlet. Do not. The device trips when current is leaking out of the circuit, and that leak is going somewhere: through damp insulation, a cracked heating element, a nicked cable, or potentially a person.
Outdoor circuits are the common case. A cover that no longer seals, a landscape light with a perished gasket or a cable damaged by a spade lets in moisture, and the GFCI responds every time it rains. The repair is to the leak, and the GFCI stays.
Signs the GFCI itself needs replacing
It will not trip when TEST is pressed
It is no longer protecting anyone, even though the outlet has power.
It has power but will not reset with the load wires disconnected
An electrician's test that confirms a dead device.
It is outdoors and not marked weather-resistant
Older devices outdoors corrode internally.
It is cracked, scorched or loose in the box
Replace regardless of whether it still works.
GFCI reset questions
Why did my bathroom outlet die when nothing tripped there?
It is probably protected by a GFCI in another bathroom, the garage or outside. Find and reset that one.
Can I replace a GFCI with a regular outlet to stop the tripping?
No. Protection is required in that location, and removing it leaves the underlying leak in place with nothing to catch it.
How long do GFCIs last?
Often 10 to 15 years indoors, less in damp or outdoor locations. Test them a few times a year. See GFCI outlet installation.
This page is general safety information, not a diagnosis. Electrical faults can cause fire and electric shock. If you are unsure whether something is safe, switch it off and have a licensed electrician inspect it.
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