Get it fixed

Half the House Has No Power?

When some rooms are out and others work, it’s often a tripped breaker or GFCI. If not, it can be a problem with one side of your service, and the first call may be PG&E.

Call (530) 401-7419, 24/7 Request a Free Estimate

5.0 on Google · 108 reviewsLicensed C‑10 #1081222Free estimatesAnswered 24/7Family-run in Auburn

What it usually means

Most homes get power on two “legs.” Each leg is 120 volts, and together they give 240 volts for things like a dryer, range, AC or well pump. About half of your 120-volt circuits are on each leg. PG&E’s help center says a partial outage is usually a tripped breaker or GFI (PG&E). When it isn’t, here’s what it can be:

  • Tripped breakers or GFCIsCheck these first. One big trip can take out a lot of the house.
  • A lost legIf one leg drops, about half the house goes dark, and 240-volt appliances stop or act strangely. A dryer that tumbles but won’t heat is a common clue. The cause can be on PG&E’s side, like the line or transformer, or on yours, like a failing main breaker or a burned connection at the meter or panel.
  • A loose or lost neutralIf lights get brighter in some rooms and dimmer in others, or electronics act up, the neutral connection may be bad. This can damage appliances and should be treated as urgent.
  • A problem on PG&E’s linesIf neighbors have the same problem, it’s likely PG&E’s equipment.

Safe for you to check

  • Check your panel for tripped breakers, including the main, and push any tripped one fully OFF, then ON, once. Reset GFCIs.
  • Ask a neighbor, or check PG&E’s outage center.
  • Call PG&E at 1-877-660-6789 to report partial power or a voltage problem. They can send a troubleman to check their side (PG&E).
  • If some lights are much brighter than normal, unplug sensitive electronics. If you can reach the main breaker safely, turn it off until it’s fixed.
  • If PG&E says their side is fine, call us.

Leave these alone

  • Don’t touch, pull or open the meter, or open the panel.
  • Don’t touch the service wires or the mast on your house.
  • Never go near a downed line. Stay away, call 911, then PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 (PG&E).
  • Don’t run extension cords from the working half of the house to the dead half, and never backfeed a generator through an outlet.

How IES helps

  1. 1
    We help you figure out who to call

    Call us and describe what’s out and what still works. If it sounds like PG&E’s side, we’ll tell you to call them first.

  2. 2
    We test your side

    We check the main breaker, the panel and the connections at the meter and service, and find the burned or loose part.

  3. 3
    We repair or replace it, and handle PG&E

    Some fixes need PG&E to disconnect and reconnect power. For a repair or a panel change-out, we handle the permit, the inspection and PG&E’s disconnect and reconnect. You just say yes.

Estimates are free. Call (530) 401-7419, answered 24/7, or use the form below.

New meter/main combo
New meter/main combo. See more of our work →

Common questions

Who do I call first, PG&E or an electrician?

If your neighbors are out too, or lights are oddly bright and dim around the house, call PG&E first at 1-877-660-6789. If breakers are fine and PG&E says their side checks out, call an electrician. You can also call us first and we’ll help you sort it out.

Why does my dryer run but not heat?

A dryer’s drum motor runs on 120 volts, but the heater needs the full 240 volts. If one leg of your power is out, or the dryer’s own double breaker has tripped on one side, you can get a dryer that tumbles but stays cold.

What is a lost neutral?

The neutral is the return path for current. If it gets loose or breaks, voltage can swing, so some lights get bright and others dim, and electronics and appliances can be damaged. It needs to be fixed quickly.

Is it safe to keep using the half that works?

If lights are normal brightness and nothing smells or buzzes, using the working half until it’s fixed is usually okay. If lights are flaring bright or dim, turn off the main if you can reach it safely, and call.

Read more

Related problems

Request a free estimate

Free estimates, no pressure. Tell us a little about the job and we’ll get back to you. Or call (530) 401-7419, answered 24/7.

Name, a short description, and a phone number or email, please. We only use them to reply to you.

Use the full form

Sources

General safety information for homes, checked against the sources above in November 2026. Every home is different and this is not a substitute for an on-site look by a licensed electrician. Never work inside a panel, at the meter or on live wiring. In an emergency, call 911.