This is one of the most common calls we get, and very often the fix is a button in another room.
Why would an outlet stop working without tripping a breaker?
- A tripped GFCI somewhere else. One GFCI outlet can protect others downstream, sometimes in another room: bathrooms, garage, outdoor outlets and kitchens often share. Look for any GFCI with a popped RESET button.
- A switched outlet. Many living rooms and bedrooms have outlets controlled by a wall switch.
- A half-tripped breaker that looks on. Firmly switch it to OFF, then ON.
- A loose connection at that outlet or an upstream one, especially with "back-stab" connections. Often several outlets in a row go dead.
- A failed outlet.
What can I safely check?
Press RESET on every GFCI you can find (garage, bathrooms, kitchen, exterior and near the laundry). Try the nearby wall switches. Reset the breaker fully. If none of that works, stop there. A loose connection can overheat, and finding it means opening boxes.
What if half my house lost power?
If many circuits are out, or lights are dim in some rooms and bright in others, it can be a problem with the utility service or a lost neutral. Turn off sensitive electronics and call your utility and an electrician. See flickering or dimming lights.
IES repair and troubleshooting service calls start at $169.
About these prices: rough starting-at prices from the IES price book. The final price depends on what we find on site, your utility and your city or county. Estimates are free.
Common questions
Why are several outlets in a row dead?
Most often a tripped GFCI upstream, or a loose connection at the last working outlet, which breaks power to the rest of the chain.
Can a GFCI in the bathroom control outlets in another room?
Yes. A GFCI can protect outlets downstream on the same circuit, which may be in another bathroom, the garage or outside.
General information for California homes under the California Electrical Code (based on the NEC). Local rules and inspectors can vary. Not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Never work inside a panel, at the meter or on live circuits.