First look for emergency warning signs
Do not press buttons or touch the device if you see smoke, active sparking, melting, discoloration, water on or around the outlet, or obvious physical damage. Keep people away from the area. Contact emergency services for immediate danger and a licensed electrician for professional evaluation.
Limited checks that do not require opening anything
- Unplug portable equipment connected to the GFCI and nearby protected outlets. A connected appliance or cord can contribute to the fault condition.
- Confirm that the area and your hands are dry. Do not interact with a wet device or one located in active water intrusion.
- Look for another tripped GFCI in the same general area. One GFCI can protect other downstream outlets, so the device affecting the dead outlet may be elsewhere.
- Check the electrical panel only from the outside. If a breaker is visibly tripped and there are no warning signs, one normal reset may restore power. If it trips again, leave it off.
- Press the GFCI reset button once, firmly, according to the manufacturer's instructions. If it will not reset or immediately trips again, stop and arrange for troubleshooting.
Do not remove the faceplate, pull the receptacle out, probe the slots, or open a panel. Those actions move beyond a homeowner check and can expose energized components.
Common reasons a GFCI remains off
The GFCI is not receiving power
Some GFCI devices will not reset when their incoming power is absent. The supply may be interrupted by a breaker, another GFCI, a switch, a loose or damaged connection, or another circuit condition.
A real ground-fault condition is still present
A connected appliance, outdoor cord, damaged equipment, moisture, or wiring condition can allow current to follow an unintended path. Unplugging portable loads can provide useful information, but it does not prove that the fixed wiring is safe.
Moisture is involved
Bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements, and outdoor locations can expose equipment to moisture. Do not attempt to reset a wet device. Address active water intrusion safely and have the electrical condition evaluated before returning the circuit to service.
The device or installation needs evaluation
GFCI devices can be damaged, wear out, or be installed or connected in a way that does not perform correctly. A device that fails its test, will not reset, or does not remove power during a test should be evaluated by a qualified electrician.
When to call an electrician
Arrange professional troubleshooting when the GFCI will not reset after connected portable loads are unplugged, immediately trips again, is associated with water or physical damage, affects multiple outlets, has no apparent power, fails its test, or has repeated problems. The electrician can evaluate the device, supply, line/load connections, protected outlets, connected equipment, circuit conditions, and applicable protection requirements.
What to include in the request
Note the room or outdoor location, what was plugged in, whether water or cleaning occurred recently, which other outlets are without power, whether a breaker or another GFCI tripped, and whether the problem is new or intermittent. A photo of the closed device and surrounding area is helpful when it can be taken safely.
Sources and further reading
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission GFCI fact sheet recommends testing GFCIs after installation, monthly, after a power failure, and according to manufacturer instructions. It advises contacting a qualified electrician when the test does not remove power or the device is not working correctly. Always follow the instructions supplied with the specific device.