A breaker keeps tripping
15 minutes · Easy · Estimated materials $0
Isolate the load without opening the panel or repeatedly resetting a fault.
Likely cause
An overloaded circuit, damaged appliance or electrical fault is drawing more current than the circuit can safely carry.
First safe check
Unplug the devices that lost power and note any heat, smell, spark or moisture.
Tools and materials
Tools
- Flashlight
- Paper and pen
Materials
No materials needed for the first check.
Step by step
- 1Unplug devices on the affected circuit.
- 2With dry hands and a dry floor, reset the breaker once by moving it fully Off, then On.
- 3If it holds, reconnect one device at a time.
- 4Stop using the device that causes another trip.
- 5Label what lost power and record it for an electrician.
Common mistakes
- Resetting repeatedly
- Using a larger breaker
- Running multiple heating appliances on one circuit
When to call a professional
Electrical work
Most of this is yours to do. Call someone licensed if any one of these is true — it's a judgement call, not a defeat.
- The breaker trips again after you reset it once.
- You see scorch marks, melted plastic, or smell burning.
- The wiring is cloth-covered, aluminum, or has no ground.
- The work is inside the main panel or the meter.
General guidance only. Codes and conditions vary. When in doubt, stop and use a licensed professional.