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Diagnostic guide

Outlet Not Working

A dead outlet or one that stopped working — check these causes before calling an electrician for a simple fix.

System
Electrical
Causes covered
7
You can check
6 without a technician

Stop and read this first

  • Turn off the breaker and verify with a voltage tester before touching any outlet wiring.
  • A warm, discolored, or buzzing outlet is a fire hazard — turn off the breaker and replace it immediately.
  • Do not use a three-prong outlet tester as proof the circuit is dead — only a non-contact or contact voltage tester is reliable.
  • If the breaker trips repeatedly, do not keep resetting it.

Work through these in order

Ordered from most to least likely. Working top down means you rule out the cheap, common causes before paying anyone to look at the expensive, rare ones.

  1. Tripped GFCI outlet upstream

    CommonYou can check
    How to check
    The dead outlet is in a kitchen, bathroom, garage, or exterior location. A GFCI outlet elsewhere on the same circuit has tripped.
    The fix
    Find the GFCI outlet on the circuit (often in the garage or another bathroom) and press Reset. One GFCI protects multiple downstream outlets.

  2. Tripped breaker in the panel

    CommonYou can check
    How to check
    Multiple outlets or lights on the same circuit are dead. Breaker handle is between on and off.
    The fix
    Reset the breaker firmly to On. If it trips again, stop — a fault needs diagnosis.

  3. Loose wire connection at the outlet

    CommonYou can check
    How to check
    Outlet worked intermittently before dying. Plugs fall out easily. Outlet feels warm.
    The fix
    Turn off the breaker and check wire connections. Backstab connections (pushed into holes) are a common failure — move wires to the screw terminals.

  4. Failed outlet

    CommonYou can check
    How to check
    Outlet is discolored, cracked, or makes a buzzing sound. Other outlets on the circuit work fine.
    The fix
    Replace the outlet ($5 to $15 DIY, $100 to $200 professionally). Use a tamper-resistant outlet rated for the circuit amperage.

  5. Tripped AFCI breaker

    PossibleYou can check
    How to check
    Bedroom or living area outlet is dead. Breaker in the panel is labeled AFCI and is tripped.
    The fix
    Reset once. If it trips with nothing plugged in, an electrician traces the arc fault — typically a loose connection at a device.

  6. Open wire in the wall

    PossibleNeeds a pro
    How to check
    Outlet died after drilling, nailing, or renovation work near the wall.
    The fix
    An electrician locates and repairs the damaged wire ($200 to $500). Do not use the circuit until repaired.

  7. Failed half of a split-wired outlet

    UncommonYou can check
    How to check
    One socket on a duplex outlet works and the other does not. Outlet has a broken tab between the brass screws.
    The fix
    Replace the outlet. A broken internal connection is not repairable.

Once you know what it is

Step one

Know what it should cost

Get the range before you call, so the first number you hear is not the only number you have.

Step two

Decide repair or replace

On equipment near end of life, the repair is usually the first of several.

Step three

Check the quote

Compare against the typical range and confirm the terms before you sign.

Adding an Electrical Circuit cost guideRepair or replace calculatorEstimate repair costAnalyze a quote

What the fix costs

Tools for this decision

Other symptoms