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Fix an outlet that does not work

We'll check the GFCI, circuit breaker, upstream outlet, and the outlet itself—or tell you when to call an electrician for wiring.

Troubleshooting · Home maintenance
10–30 min
What you'll need
  • Screwdriver (Phillips and flathead)
  • Non-contact voltage tester (optional)
  • Replacement outlet (if the outlet has failed)
Step 1 of 7

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Steps

Goal: Confirm the outlet has no power, check GFCI and breaker, rule out upstream outlets, then replace the outlet or call an electrician for wiring.

  • Turn off power at the circuit breaker before touching the outlet. Confirm no devices are plugged in and on.
  • Plug a known-good lamp or charger into the outlet. If nothing works, proceed to Check GFCI and breaker.

Check GFCI and breaker

Goal: Rule out a tripped GFCI or circuit breaker before opening the outlet.

  • Look for a GFCI outlet—often in the bathroom, kitchen, garage, or basement—that protects this circuit. If the Reset button is popped out, press it.
  • Check the circuit breaker. Open the panel, find the breaker for this circuit, and reset if tripped.
  • If the GFCI or breaker trips again when you restore power, a fault exists—call an electrician.
  • Good: GFCI or breaker resets—the outlet has power. See Verification.
  • Bad: Still no power—proceed to Upstream outlet path.

Upstream outlet path

Goal: Find whether this outlet is daisy-chained and the upstream outlet is dead.

  • Outlets are often wired in series. If an upstream outlet or GFCI is dead, downstream outlets lose power.
  • Test outlets on the same circuit—the one nearest the panel or a GFCI. Find the first dead outlet in the chain.
  • Fix the upstream outlet first. If this outlet is the first dead one, proceed to replace it or call a pro.
  • Good: Upstream outlet was the cause—fixing it restores power here. See Verification.
  • Bad: This outlet is the problem—replace it or call an electrician for wiring. See When to get help.

Replace the outlet

Goal: Replace a failed outlet when GFCI, breaker, and upstream are ruled out.

  • Turn off power at the circuit breaker. Remove the faceplate and outlet.
  • Inspect for burn marks, melted plastic, or loose wires. If you see any, do not repair—call an electrician. If you see sparks, smoke, or smell burning, shut off power and call an electrician; call 911 if there is fire.
  • If the outlet looks fine but is dead, replace it with a new outlet of the same type (standard or GFCI).
  • Reassemble and restore power. Test with a lamp.
  • Good: The outlet works. See Verification.
  • Bad: Loose or damaged wiring—call an electrician. Do not work on house wiring yourself.

When to get help

Call an electrician if:

  • The circuit breaker trips when you reset it.
  • You see damaged or exposed wiring.
  • Wires are loose or discolored.
  • You are not comfortable working with electrical connections.

If you see sparks, smoke, or smell burning, shut off power at the breaker immediately. Call an electrician; call 911 if there is fire.

Do not work on house wiring yourself.

Verification

  • The outlet powers a lamp or charger when plugged in.
  • No tripping GFCI or breaker.
  • No burn smell, sparks, or warm faceplate.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Power off at breaker Turn off the circuit breaker before touching the outlet or wiring.
  2. GFCI and breaker Reset tripped GFCI outlet and circuit breaker.
  3. Upstream outlet If daisy-chained, find and fix the first dead outlet in the chain.
  4. Replace outlet If the outlet has failed, replace it with a new one.
  5. Call a pro Breaker trips, loose wires, damaged wiring—call an electrician.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Whether a GFCI outlet protects the circuit
  • Circuit breaker status
  • Whether other outlets in the room work
  • Outlet appearance (burn marks, loose wires)
  • Steps already tried

Does the outlet have any power?

Plug a known-good lamp or charger into the outlet. If nothing works, the outlet is dead.

Plug a lamp or phone charger into the outlet. No power: proceed to check GFCI and breaker. Has power: the outlet works—check the device or a different outlet.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Is there a tripped GFCI on this circuit?

GFCI outlets are often in the bathroom, kitchen, garage, or basement. A tripped GFCI cuts power to downstream outlets.

Look for a GFCI outlet with a popped Reset button. Press Reset. If it trips again when you plug something in, call an electrician. Good: GFCI resets—outlet has power. Bad: GFCI trips again—call a pro.

Yes, reset No GFCI or still dead

You can change your answer later.

Is the circuit breaker on?

A tripped breaker cuts power to the entire circuit.

Open the electrical panel. Find the breaker for this circuit. Reset if tripped. If it trips again, a short or overload exists—call an electrician. Good: breaker on—outlet has power. Bad: breaker trips again—call a pro.

Yes Trips again

You can change your answer later.

Are other outlets on this circuit working?

If the outlet is daisy-chained, a dead upstream outlet cuts power to this one.

Test outlets on the same circuit—often the one nearest the panel or a GFCI. If you find a dead upstream outlet, fix that first. Good: all outlets work—problem was upstream. Bad: this outlet is the first dead one—replace it or call a pro for wiring.

Yes This outlet is dead

You can change your answer later.

Were you able to replace the outlet, or did you find loose or damaged wiring?

Burn marks, melted plastic, or loose wires require an electrician.

Turn off power. Remove the faceplate and inspect. If you see loose wires, burn damage, or exposed copper, do not repair—call an electrician. If the outlet looks fine but is dead, replace it with a new one. Good: replaced—outlet works. Bad: loose or damaged wiring—call a pro.

Replaced outlet Loose or damaged wiring

You can change your answer later.

Outlet is working

The outlet has power. No further action needed.

Done

Call an electrician

Call an electrician if the breaker trips, you see damaged or loose wiring, or you are not comfortable with electrical work. If you see sparks, smoke, or smell burning, shut off power at the breaker and call an electrician; call 911 if there is fire. Do not work on house wiring yourself.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would a wall outlet stop working?
Common causes: tripped GFCI outlet, tripped circuit breaker, dead upstream outlet in a daisy chain, failed outlet, or loose or damaged wiring. Check GFCI and breaker first, then test the outlet.
Can I fix a dead outlet myself?
Yes, for resetting GFCI, resetting the breaker, and replacing a failed outlet. Turn off power at the breaker first. Do not work on house wiring or loose connections—call an electrician.
When should I call an electrician for an outlet?
Call an electrician if the breaker trips when you reset it, you see damaged or exposed wiring, you suspect loose wires, or you are not comfortable working with electrical connections. If you see sparks, smoke, or smell burning, shut off power at the breaker immediately and call an electrician; call 911 if there is fire.

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