Is your outlet not working again? Are you stuck without power in the room where you need it most? When your outlets do not work, it can get in the way of your entire day. If you want to fix your troublesome outlets, it is important to know what could be causing the issue. Here are some of the top reasons your outlet do not work:
You Have Half-Hot Outlets
Half-hot outlets (or switched outlets) are just like normal outlets, but with one key difference. One plug is always hot or powered, while a switch controls the other plug. Typically, the lower plug is the one controlled by a switch. It is pretty easy to mistake a half-hot outlet for a faulty one if you do not already know a switch is involved.
You might have found that the top outlet is not working, but the bottom one is. If this sounds like what you are seeing, do not panic. Instead, look to see if there is a switch nearby that controls the power. A simple test for this is to plug a lamp into the plug you are having issues with and flip some switches.
If the lamp turns on, you are in luck, and everything is working as it should. If the lamp does not work, try with another light or device that you know works. If that does not work, consider getting a professional inspection if your switched outlet is not working.
Your Outlets Have Burnt Out
A burnt-out outlet is exactly what it sounds like. These are outlets that have carried electrical currents more powerful than they can carry safely. When an outlet experiences a powerful current like this, the outlet can ignite. Usually, this happens on a small scale, but it is nonetheless something to be concerned about.
Wires will burn on the inside of the outlet and usually leave scorch marks on the outside as well. If you notice blackened areas around your outlet, it is time to call a professional to get the outlet replaced entirely. Do not wait on something like this because ignoring the problem could lead to further damage and potential fires.
Connecting Wires are Loose
A loose wire connection might be causing your outlet to fail. If the wires connecting to your outlet are loose, power is not successfully making connections.
The only way to find out for sure is to have an electrician turn off your circuit breaker and remove the front plate of your outlet. Then they can pull out the outlet and see if the wires connecting to it are loose.
Confirming that loose connections are causing your outlet troubles is an involved and dangerous process for anyone who is not a professional electrician. If all of your troubleshooting has left you thinking loose wires might be the root issue, call a professional before doing anything else.
The GFCI Outlet Tripped
If your GFCI outlet is not working and you do not know what to do with the test reset buttons, here is how to fix it:
First, unplug whatever you have plugged in. You do not always have to do this, but it is a safe start. Then, press the reset button on your GFCI outlet. The need for this intervention is especially common when your dishwasher outlet is not working or your outside outlet is not working.
Before plugging your device back in and moving on with your day, keep in mind that GFCI outlets are designed to protect you from shocks.
Make sure the outlet is safe to use before using it again. If your GFCI keeps tripping, there might be moisture present in the receptacle, the circuit could be overloaded, or there is an electrical fault in your wiring.
Lastly, keep in mind that GFCI outlets can affect other outlets further down the circuit. If your GFCI outlet has tripped and there are other outlets downstream from it, those outlets will not work.
The GFCI outlet acts as a gate or blocker. If multiple outlets are not working, it might be because a GFCI outlet tripped somewhere else on the same circuit. If your outlets are not working after a power outage, there is a good chance there is a tripped GFCI that needs resetting.
The Circuit Breaker Tripped
Your circuit breakers control the flow of power throughout your entire home. When a circuit trips, it is usually because that circuit is overloaded. When this happens, all power is cut from the circuit in question, including all of the outlets connected to that circuit.
The most obvious sign that a circuit has tripped is when all of the power in a particular room has shut off. Another sign is if your outlets are not working, but the lights are, since lights tend to be on separate circuits.
To fix this, all you need to do is locate your electrical panel and see if any circuits are set to “OFF.” Simply switch the tripped circuit(s) to “ON,” and power should be restored.
If your circuit breaker is constantly tripping, you should be concerned. You might be overloading that particular circuit with too many appliances or devices working at the same time.
Or, there could be a problem with your wiring or circuit breaker itself. If your outlet is not working, but the breaker is not tripped either, there might be an issue with your circuit breaker.
A Fuse Has Blown
If you live in an older home, you might have a fuse box instead of a circuit breaker. Like modern circuit breakers, when a circuit is overloaded, a fuse can melt to stop the flow of electricity to a particular circuit. If a fuse blows for the circuit your problem outlet is on, you will not get power to that outlet until the fuse is replaced.
Once you replace the blown fuse, power should be restored to the circuit. Just keep in mind that if the circuit is overloaded, you might want to consider unplugging some things to prevent it from happening again.
Also, it is strongly recommended that you upgrade your fuse box to a circuit breaker box sooner rather than later. Circuit breakers are safer and easier to use and are designed to handle the demand of modern appliances and devices.
If your outlet is not working and the fuse is not blown, you might have a deeper issue. At this point, you should consult with a professional to troubleshoot the problem and identify the root cause.
Your Outlets Are Faulty
At the end of the day, if no obvious issues present themselves, you may be dealing with a faulty outlet. If your outlet is not working but has power, you might simply have a defective outlet. While rare, manufacturer defects happen. If your outlet is faulty, your only option is to replace it entirely.
Is a Dead Outlet Dangerous?
Yes. If any of your outlets seem to be dead or non-functional, you need to be concerned. Outlets wear out over time. As this happens, outlets are more vulnerable to overheating. Eventually, an electrical fire will result. If your outlet is dead, make sure to get it replaced.
Call Safe and Sound Electric to Fix Your Troublesome Outlets
If you are having trouble with your outlets and you do not feel comfortable troubleshooting on your own, call Safe and Sound Electric. Our electricians will quickly identify the cause of your dead outlets and provide you with the solutions you need.
When a wall socket stops working in any room of your Atlanta area home, this electrical issue can cause a serious inconvenience. There are several factors that can lead to a seemingly dead outlet, though sometimes the electrical outlet itself isn’t the actual problem. In our most recent blog, Estes Services shares why a wall socket stops working, how to check if it’s the outlet to blame, and what you can do to troubleshoot the socket.
What’s to Blame When a Wall Socket Stops Working?
When a wall socket stops working, one of many scenarios may have occurred to cause this problem in your home. Common causes when a wall socket stops working include:
- Failed internal socket connections, which is common in older outlets that no longer snugly hold plugs.
- A tripped circuit breaker that cuts power to the wall socket.
- Loose connections within the circuit breaker box.
- Faulty wiring that connects the electrical outlet to its circuit.
- A tripped GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet, which you may not realize operates differently than a standard socket.
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- The electrical outlet is burned out, caused by overloading.
Sometimes when it appears a wall socket stops working, there is no problem with the socket or electrical system at all. When you plug a device into a socket and it doesn’t seem to work, the problem may be with the device, not the socket. A short within the device or damaged wiring in its cord may cause it not to turn on after being plugged in.
Another possible scenario is a half-hot outlet, which means one socket is controlled by a nearby wall switch while the other socket is not. When moving into a new house, sometimes homeowners must determine which electrical outlets are connected to wall switches through trial and error. It’s common for both sockets on an electrical outlet to connect to a switch, but half-hot outlets occasionally go unnoticed by the new family.
Troubleshooting for Electrical Issues Causing a Bad Socket
Issues such as a tripped breaker or GFCI don’t mean the outlet is bad if a wall socket stops working. To troubleshoot for these issues, try these tips:
For GCFIs
GFCI outlets are special devices required by building codes in areas where water is present or likely to be. These plugs cut power when an electrical surge is detected to prevent electric shocks. Occasionally they may trip and it goes unnoticed, so when you plug something in next time, it doesn’t work.
You’ll be able to tell a GFCI outlet from a standard outlet because in its center; there is a rectangular reset button. Simply press the reset button to reset the socket, and try to power your device again.
For Tripped Breakers
When a breaker in the electrical panel trips, power is cut to all sockets, lights, and appliances wired to the circuit it controls. This is a common issue and should always be checked when it appears that a wall socket stops working. If you have multiple electrical outlets and lights in the same room or area that do not have power, a tripped breaker or other issue with the circuit is likely.
Open the access door to your home’s main electrical panel and observe the position of all breaker switches. They are labeled ON on one side and OFF on the other – if a breaker has tripped, its switch will be pointing to the OFF side. Simply switch the toggle back to ON, and it should reset and send electricity back to the circuit.
Sometimes, a breaker toggle may stick in the middle between the ON and OFF positions. If you find a breaker in this position, first flip it to the OFF side, then to the ON side to reset the breaker.
Troubleshooting Dead Outlets
If it appears that the outlet itself is the issue when a wall socket stops working and circuit breakers are not tripped, the next step is to troubleshoot the outlet itself. A loose connection is often to blame and is a relatively simple fix.
- Turn off power to the outlet at the electrical panel – flip the breaker switch to OFF to prevent electrical accidents and injuries.
- Use a screwdriver to remove the outlet faceplate and gently pull the outlet from the box housed within the wall.
- Take a look at the terminal screws to see if they have loosened, causing a bad connection to the wiring. If your outlet has stab in wire connections, look to see that these wires fit correctly in position. Gently bend each wire at its screw connection or tug each wire for stab in connections to tell if it is loose if you cannot tell by sight. Tighten any loose connections you find.
- Check the accessible wiring connected to the outlet for damage. Burned or melted wire insulation is a sign of overheating. Wires can also break or corrode over time. This should be repaired or replaced by a professional electrician.
- Replace the outlet into the junction box, reattach faceplate, and restore power at the breaker.
- Test the outlet by plugging in a device.
Call Estes Services for Atlanta Electrical Help
If a wall socket stops working in your home and troubleshooting doesn’t solve the issue, the source could be deeper in your electrical system, or the outlet itself may need to be replaced. For new outlet installation and electrical repairs in Atlanta and the surrounding areas, call Estes Services today!
