How To Reset A GFCI Outlet That's Not Working

Do you have a GFCI outlet that keeps tripping, won’t reset or just is not working? You can consult with our local Mesa electricians free of charge. Voted best electricians Mesa AZ, Dolce Electric Co schedules an in-office electrician Mesa AZ homeowners and businesses can call Monday thru Friday, between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. He will answer all of your questions about why your outlets are not working and provide you with the information that you’re looking for. Give him a call today, you’ll be happy you did!

The Outlet Just Keeps Tripping

If your GFCI outlet won’t reset or trips repeatedly there is a problem either somewhere in your wiring system or with something that is plugged into your GFCI protected circuit.

Something plugged in somewhere in the protected circuit is leaking electricity or shorting out:

Here is the one thing that you can try before scheduling our Mesa AZ electricians if your GFCI outlet keeps tripping. Unplug everything that is plugged into the protected receptacles. This can be confusing because things plugged into exterior outlets can cause GFCI outlet tripping inside of your home. Things like landscape lighting, outdoor holiday decorations and fountains are common causes of a tripping GFCI receptacle. Once everything is unplugged try to reset the outlet again. If it does not trip again and the power is restored the outlet is working properly. The problem is with something that is plugged into the circuit that’s preventing it to reset and causing the tripping. It is not the ground fault circuit interrupter or the wiring.

There is a problem with the structural wiring that's preventing the device energize:

If you have unplugged everything connected to the GFCI protected circuit and the receptacle still trips there is a problem with the attached load side wiring. Often times a GFCI receptacle will trip without tripping the circuit breaker because these devices are much more sensitive than circuit breakers. If you have experience with electrical wiring you can disconnect the load side wires and reset the receptacle to confirm the problem.

In cases where your receptacle still keeps tripping, you can call our in-office electrician in Mesa AZ free of charge to discuss the matter. Our local electricians in Mesa are available for free over the telephone help Monday thru Friday, during regular business hours.

How To Reset A GFCI Outlet

How to reset GFCI outlets? Located on the GFCI outlet are two buttons labeled test and reset. If your outlet has tripped you are going to need to push the reset button. If your GFCI outlet will not reset, it is important to know that these devices must be energized for the buttons to work. If you cannot get the buttons to click in and out check for a tripped circuit breaker. If a tripped circuit breaker is found turn it on and try powering the device on and off using the buttons. It is important to verify that both buttons are work properly to ensure the safety it was designed to provide. For more information about how to reset a GFCI outlet contact our local Mesa AZ electricians.

The Device Buttons Are Not Working

GFCI outlet not working? There are three possible reasons why your GFCI outlet stopped working and although it can be a combination of two or more causes usually it is just one.

Check the power to the device:

If your GFCI outlet reset button won’t stay in when pushed, check to make sure that it has power going to it. When there is no power to the GFCI outlets, the buttons are not going work. Continue reading for more GFCI outlet not resetting tips.

Troubleshooting:

Make sure your circuit breaker is on and working properly.
Check the power between the two line side screws; you should be able to read approximately 120 volts.
Check the power between the line side hot wire (typically black or red) and the grounding wire (green or bare). If you can read 120 volts there but not between the two line side wires you have a problem with the neutral wire (white).
If no power can be read between the line side hot wire and the ground or the line side hot wire and the line side neutral wire there is a problem with either the hot wire or the circuit breaker.

Be careful when working with live electricity. This should be done only by people with the experience and know-how to safely troubleshoot these problems. If you would like more information about troubleshooting GFCI outlet problems, Dolce Electric Company has scheduled an in-office electrician you can consult with free of charge between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday thru Friday.

Check for wiring that is not connected on the device correctly:

Knowing how to install a GFCI properly can be the solution to your problem. Installation or replacement requires accurate placement of each wire. If the correct wires are not attached to the correct screws the device will not work. See the attached diagram or visit our page about how to install a GFCI outlet.

When do GFCI Outlets Go Bad?

Sometimes these devices simply go bad and need to be replaced. Common causes are power surges, excessive tripping and exposure to weather when they don’t have the right cover. If you have verified that there is power at your receptacle and it is wired correctly but it still is not working, it’s time to get a new GFCI receptacle installed. Be sure to get a 15 amp device for 15 amp circuits and a 20 amp receptacle for 20 amp circuits.