Reset a dead GFCI outlet
10 minutes · Easy · Estimated materials $0
A bathroom, kitchen, garage or outdoor outlet may be protected by another GFCI upstream.
Likely cause
The GFCI tripped because of moisture, a connected appliance or a downstream fault.
First safe check
Unplug everything from dead outlets and look for TEST and RESET buttons nearby and in adjacent rooms.
Tools and materials
Tools
- Plug-in lamp or outlet tester
Materials
No materials needed for the first check.
Step by step
- 1Dry the area and unplug connected devices.
- 2Press RESET firmly on the nearest GFCI.
- 3Check other GFCIs in the bathroom, kitchen, garage, basement and exterior.
- 4Reset the circuit breaker once if no GFCI restores power.
- 5Reconnect devices one at a time.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the nearest outlet is the protecting GFCI
- Repeated resetting
- Ignoring outdoor moisture
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.