A dead electrical outlet in your home can be frustrating and disruptive. Luckily, you can take steps to diagnose the issue yourself before calling an experienced electrician. Understanding why it happened and knowing a few basic fixes can help get things back to normal quickly. Let’s walk through the common reasons outlets stop working, some troubleshooting steps, and when to call a pro.

---

How Do Electrical Outlets Work?

Outlets are your access points to the electricity that flows through your home. Power travels from power plants, through power lines, to your home’s breaker box, and then to each outlet via circuits.

A standard outlet has three main parts:

• The ground hole: Most electrical outlets have a grounding hole, which is the semicircular hole at the bottom of the outlet. The ground hole provides a safe path for electrical currents to flow before they reach the appliance. This prevents shocks and protects your electronics.
• The hot slot: This is the smaller slot on the face of the outlet. In North America, it delivers 120V of electricity.
• The neutral slot: This is the larger slot on the face of the outlet that completes the circuit, allowing electricity to flow back to the circuit breaker. It has a neutral voltage.

When you plug a device into an outlet, its metal prongs fit into the hot and neutral slots, completing the electrical circuit that powers it.

Common Types of Outlets

Knowing the type of outlet can help with troubleshooting. Here’s a quick rundown of the most common types of outlets you’ll find in North American homes:

• Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI): GFCIs automatically shut off power if they detect an interruption in the electrical flow to prevent serious electrical shock. You’ll usually see these in your bathroom or kitchen. They have test and reset buttons and shut off if they sense a problem, like moisture.
• Grounding 3-prong outlets: Standard outlets with two slots and a grounding hole; they’re code-compliant for most homes.
• Standard 2-prong outlets: You’ll find these outlets in many older homes. If you have them, we recommend replacing them since they’re less safe than newer ones.

---

Common Problems With Electrical Outlets

Even new electrical systems can experience problems that disrupt your electrical circuit and make your outlet useless. Some issues are easy to tackle yourself, while others might require the help of a licensed electrician.
Here are the usual suspects behind a dead outlet:

• Damaged plugs: Check that the problem isn’t with the plug on your device before you try to fix your electrical outlet. Plugs on appliance cords can wear out, and bent prongs or frayed wires may stop the plug from connecting to the outlet.
• GFCI issues: GFCI outlets are great for areas of your home that experience a lot of moisture, such as your bathrooms and kitchen, but a tripped GFCI prevents appliances plugged into the outlet from working.
• Loose connections: Wires connect the outlet to the circuit. Over time, wires can loosen or fray. This can cause power loss and, sometimes, flickering lights.
• Tripped circuit breakers: A tripped circuit breaker is the most common reason for a dead outlet, but it’s also the easiest to fix. When a circuit gets overloaded, the breaker shuts off to prevent overheating. If several outlets in one area go out, a tripped breaker is often the cause.
• Worn-out outlets: Outlets can deteriorate over time, especially if they get a lot of use. Outlets can wear out with age and heavy use. If plugging in devices causes sparks or flickers, it’s time for a replacement immediately.
• Power surges: Sudden increases in electrical current, known as power surges, can damage outlets and the devices plugged into them. These often happen with lightning strikes, issues with the power grid, or the use of high-powered appliances. Repeated power surges can weaken an outlet’s components, eventually causing failure.

Diagnosing a Non-Working Outlet

Here are a few ways to narrow down what’s going on with your outlet.

Visual Inspection

Start by examining the outlet and its surroundings for signs of damage or wear:

1. Look for discoloration, cracks, or burn marks on the outlet cover.
2. Check if the outlet feels loose or wobbly when you touch it.
3. Inspect the area around the outlet for signs of water damage or pest intrusion.
4. Examine any plugged-in devices for damaged cords or bent prongs.

A visual check can often reveal apparent issues that might be causing the outlet to malfunction.

Using a Multimeter for Testing

A multimeter is a valuable tool for diagnosing electrical problems. Here’s how to use one to test an outlet:

1. Set the multimeter to measure AC voltage (usually 200 volts or higher).
2. Insert the black probe into the neutral (larger) slot and the red probe into the hot (smaller) slot.
3. A reading between 110 and 120 volts means the outlet is receiving power.
4. Test the ground by placing the red probe in the round hole and the black probe in the larger slot. You should get a similar reading.

If you don’t get the expected readings, there may be an issue with the outlet’s wiring or the circuit itself.

---

How To Fix Outlets That Stopped Working

You can often fix a dead outlet yourself. Grab your gloves, then follow our steps.

First, turn off the power to the outlet at your breaker box—you’ll usually find it in the basement, garage, or a utility closet. Identify the breaker controlling the circuit on the electrical panel and flip it to the off position.

Then, you can troubleshoot:

1. Check the fuse box: Tripped breakers are the most common cause of broken outlets. If a breaker has tripped, flip it back on and then check the outlet.
2. Test another device: Sometimes, the device itself is the issue. Try plugging in a different item, like a lamp or phone charger.
3. Reset the outlet: If it’s a GFCI outlet, press the “test” button and then the “reset” button to see if power returns.
4. Inspect the outlet plate: Remove the outlet faceplate by unscrewing it with an insulated screwdriver. Most faceplates have one or two screws and are easy to remove. Look for signs of damage to the outlet, including cracks, bent hardware, or burn marks. If it’s damaged, you can replace it with a new outlet cover.
5. Check the wires: Inspect for loose or frayed wires. If anything looks damaged, it’s best to call an electrician.

---

When To Call an Electrician

Not every outlet problem is a DIY fix. Here’s when we recommend bringing in a pro.

Other Electrical System Issues

If you’re experiencing electrical system issues in other parts of your home, it’s best to talk to an electrician. Flickering lights, dimming lights, or buzzing sounds from light switches are all signs of potential issues. These signs are especially common in older houses with aging electrical systems. A licensed electrician can assess your electrical system and work with you on a plan to update and improve its safety and function.

Persistent Electrical Problems

If you find yourself resetting the same breaker, you might have a bigger electrical issue. Resist the urge to keep resetting a blown fuse and instead call a licensed electrician.

Signs of Electrical Fire

If you smell burning plastic or rubber near the electrical outlet, the wiring may be overheating and could quickly become a fire hazard. Other signs of electrical fires include sparks, smoke, crackling sounds, or an outlet that feels warm to the touch. If you see any of these, turn off the power at the breaker immediately and contact an electrician. These are all signs of serious electrical problems—don’t attempt to fix them yourself.

Outdated Wiring Systems

Homes built before the 1970s may have outdated wiring systems that don’t meet current safety standards. A pro can recommend necessary upgrades to keep your home safe and efficient.

---

Preventing Future Outlet Issues

A little upkeep goes a long way. Here are some simple tips to keep outlets working safely:

• Inspect outlets yearly for signs of wear or damage.
• Test GFCI outlets monthly to be sure they’re functioning properly.
• Use surge protectors for electronics.
• Avoid overloading outlets and unplug devices when not in use.

---

Our Conclusion

A malfunctioning outlet can be a major inconvenience, but you can often fix the issue yourself. If not, contact a licensed electrician to diagnose and fix your dead outlet.

If you see any signs of electrical fires, turn the electricity off at the breaker box and contact an electrician immediately.

---

FAQ About Outlets That Stop Working

Why would an outlet suddenly stop working?

An outlet may suddenly stop working because of a tripped breaker, a faulty GFCI outlet, or wear and tear on the outlet itself. An outlet may also stop working due to damaged wiring or power surges.

How do you fix a dead outlet?

You can attempt to fix a dead outlet by checking the breaker box, as tripped breakers are the most common cause of malfunctioning outlets. If that’s not the problem, consult a qualified electrician.

Can a bad outlet cause others not to work?

Most times, a bad outlet won’t cause other outlets to stop working. But if several outlets in the same area of your home stop working, it’s probably because of a tripped breaker.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.