GFCI Outlet is Not Working: Symptoms, Causes and Fixes for a Broken GFCI Outlet

When electricians talk about GFCI outlets, they’re talking about ground-fault circuit interrupters. This is a common safety feature in many homes. What is a GFCI outlet?

The difference between a standard outlet and a GFCI outlet is that GFCI outlets continuously monitor the current through the circuit. They can detect when current is leaking where it shouldn’t.

As soon as a GFCI outlet detects a fault current, it shuts off power to the circuit. These outlets act quickly, often shutting off power within 1/40th of a second. 

GFCI outlets are designed to protect people by quickly cutting power when an electrical issue occurs. GFCI outlets are required in areas where electricity and water are close together. These typically include bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, garages and outdoor spaces.

In Texas, electrical safety rules are based on the National Electrical Code (NEC), which is updated every three years and then adopted by the state. 

If your GFCI outlet keeps tripping, there’s usually a reason. Even a small current leak can throw off the balance, causing the outlet to shut off power. Because GFCI outlets are designed to detect these leaks, they’re more sensitive than standard outlets.

This comprehensive article covers what to do when your GFCI outlet isn’t working, the common symptoms, causes and fixes.

Symptoms of a GFCI Outlet Not Working

There are several symptoms that let you know your GFCI outlet is not working. including:

• No power at the outlet
• Reset button won’t stay pushed in when pressed
• No “clicking” sound on reset
• Pressing the test button does nothing
• Multiple outlets on the same circuit are not working
• Appliances trip the GFCI immediately

8 Most Common Reasons a GFCI Outlet Isn’t Working

There are eight common reasons why GFCI outlets stop working. 

Most GFCI problems can be traced back to one of the following issues:

Keep reading to learn about each cause, how to diagnose it yourself and when to call in an electrician.

1. The GFCI Outlet Has Tripped

Cause: The GFCI outlet detects a ground fault, typically due to moisture, a faulty appliance or an excessive electrical load on the circuit. 

As a homeowner, you can diagnose this issue yourself by following these steps:

• Unplug everything connected to the outlet
• Firmly press the reset button until you hear a click
• Once it resets, plug devices back into the outlet one at a time
• If it trips again right away, the problem isn’t fixed

If resetting the outlet doesn’t work, call in an electrician to assess the problem. Some tripped GFCI outlets won’t reset, which is another sign that you need professional intervention.

2. A Nearby GFCI Outlet Tripped

Cause: Your GFCI outlets may be connected to each other. This means that if one upstream outlet trips, all downstream outlets connected to it will also trip. 

You can diagnose this issue by checking your other GFCI outlets. Look at the outlets in your bathrooms, kitchen, garage, laundry room and the exterior of your house. Once you locate the tripped outlet, reset it and test it. 

If you can’t locate the problem outlet, multiple outlets are tripping or you’re losing power in parts of your home, call in an electrician. 

3. Moisture or Water Exposure

Cause: In Texas, high humidity can introduce moisture into GFCI outlets, especially in outlets around outdoor kitchens, pools, garages and patios. When a GFCI outlet detects water, it immediately cuts power.

To check for moisture, look for obvious signs like dampness or condensation around the outlet. If it appears wet, don’t use it until it is completely dry. Do not dry a GFCI outlet with a hair dryer, and do not plug anything into it while moisture is present.

Call in an electrician if the moisture keeps returning or the outlet continues to trip.

4. A Faulty Appliance Is Triggering the Trip

Cause: Appliances with internal faults, such as refrigerators, dishwashers and washer/dryers, can draw excess current and cause a GFCI outlet to trip. The older the appliance, the more likely this is to happen. 

To diagnose this issue yourself, unplug everything from the outlet and reset it. Then plug the appliances back in one at a time and check whether a specific appliance trips the outlet. 

If this process doesn’t resolve the issue, call in an electrician for assistance.

5. The Circuit Breaker Has Tripped

Cause: During a power surge or fault, the circuit breaker may trip along with or instead of the GFCI outlet.

To check the circuit breaker, follow these steps:

1. Check your breaker panel for a switch in the middle position
2. Switch it fully to the OFF side and then back to ON
3. Reset the GFCI outlet

If the breaker continues tripping or won’t reset, call in an electrician. You should also call in a professional if you notice a burning smell or buzzing sound, or if the outlet stopped working but the breaker is not tripped.

6. Worn Out or Failed GFCI Outlet

Cause: After eight to ten years, the internal components of GFCI outlets often begin to wear out.

If your outlets are old, they are less likely to reset. The outlet will appear dead even though there’s power to the circuit. Call in a licensed electrician to replace your outlets.

7. Loose Wiring or Improper Connections

Cause: Loose, old or improper connections can interrupt power or cause GFCI outlets to overheat and shut off. 

If your outlet has intermittent power, feels warm or trips randomly, loose wiring could be the culprit. Do not attempt to fix loose wiring on your own. This must be handled by a licensed electrician.

8. Line and Load Connections Are Reversed

Cause: If a GFCI outlet was installed incorrectly, the line and load wires can get reversed. This causes the outlet to fail to test properly or appear dead.

If your outlet is inconsistent and the reset button doesn’t work, reversed wires may be the cause. Do not attempt to fix this problem on your own. Call in an electrician to take care of a wiring issue.