Reset GFCI Outlet

Reset a GFCI outlet by checking for safe conditions, pressing the RESET button, and verifying power. If it will not reset or trips again right away, check the breaker and any upstream GFCI outlets, then stop and call an electrician if the problem continues.

Easy · 5-10 minutes

Safety

  • Dry your hands and keep the area and outlet dry before touching the GFCI.
  • Do not touch the outlet if it is wet, cracked, loose, warm, buzzing, sparking, or smells burned.
  • Press only the TEST and RESET buttons; do not remove the cover or open wiring unless the breaker is off and power is verified off with a tester.
  • If the GFCI will not reset, trips immediately, or the breaker keeps tripping, stop and contact a licensed electrician.
  • Use caution in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements, outdoors, and other damp locations.

Steps

  1. Step 1: Check that the area is safe

    • Make sure your hands are dry and the floor, counter, and outlet area are dry.
    • Look at the outlet for visible damage such as cracks, discoloration, looseness, burn marks, or signs of moisture.

    Check: The outlet area is dry. · There is no visible damage, heat, odor, buzzing, or sparking.

  2. Step 2: Try the GFCI reset button

    • Locate the RESET button on the outlet face.
    • Press the RESET button firmly until it clicks or stays in place.
    • If needed, press the TEST button once and then press RESET again.

    Check: The RESET button stays engaged. · Power returns to the outlet or connected devices.

  3. Step 3: Check the connected device or outlet

    • Plug in a lamp, phone charger, or other small device you know works, or check whether the device connected to the outlet has power.
    • If the outlet controls other outlets or equipment downstream, check those as well.

    Check: The test device powers on, or downstream outlets are working again. · If there is still no power, continue to the next step.

  4. Step 4: Check the circuit breaker

    • Go to the electrical panel and look for a breaker that is fully OFF or sitting between ON and OFF.
    • Reset a tripped breaker by switching it fully OFF, then back ON.
    • Return to the GFCI outlet and press RESET again if needed.

    Check: The breaker remains on after reset. · The GFCI now resets and power is restored.

  5. Step 5: Check for another GFCI upstream

    • Look in nearby bathrooms, kitchen counters, garage, basement, laundry area, exterior outlets, or other nearby rooms for another GFCI outlet on the same circuit.
    • Press RESET on any other tripped GFCI you find.
    • Return to the original outlet and test it again.

    Check: Any upstream GFCI has been reset. · The original outlet now has power or its RESET button stays engaged.

  6. Step 6: Stop if the outlet still will not reset

    • Do not keep forcing the button if it will not stay in.
    • Unplug devices from the outlet and nearby outlets on the same circuit if safe to do so.
    • Arrange service with a licensed electrician if the outlet remains dead or keeps tripping.

    Check: You have stopped troubleshooting before opening the outlet or disturbing wiring. · A professional is contacted if the GFCI still fails to reset or trips repeatedly.

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Reset GFCI Outlet0 of 6 steps done

Written by AI, not checked by a tradesperson. How this works

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 of 6

Check that the area is safe

Diagram for step 1: Check that the area is safe
Fig. 1Check that the area is safe
  • Make sure your hands are dry and the floor, counter, and outlet area are dry.
  • Look at the outlet for visible damage such as cracks, discoloration, looseness, burn marks, or signs of moisture.
Check

The outlet area is dry. • There is no visible damage, heat, odor, buzzing, or sparking.

Was this step clear?
Step 2 of 6

Try the GFCI reset button

Diagram for step 2: Try the GFCI reset button
Fig. 2Try the GFCI reset button
  • Locate the RESET button on the outlet face.
  • Press the RESET button firmly until it clicks or stays in place.
  • If needed, press the TEST button once and then press RESET again.
Check

The RESET button stays engaged. • Power returns to the outlet or connected devices.

Was this step clear?
Step 3 of 6

Check the connected device or outlet

Diagram for step 3: Check the connected device or outlet
Fig. 3Check the connected device or outlet
  • Plug in a lamp, phone charger, or other small device you know works, or check whether the device connected to the outlet has power.
  • If the outlet controls other outlets or equipment downstream, check those as well.
Check

The test device powers on, or downstream outlets are working again. • If there is still no power, continue to the next step.

Was this step clear?
Step 4 of 6

Check the circuit breaker

Diagram for step 4: Check the circuit breaker
Fig. 4Check the circuit breaker
  • Go to the electrical panel and look for a breaker that is fully OFF or sitting between ON and OFF.
  • Reset a tripped breaker by switching it fully OFF, then back ON.
  • Return to the GFCI outlet and press RESET again if needed.
Check

The breaker remains on after reset. • The GFCI now resets and power is restored.

Was this step clear?
Step 5 of 6

Check for another GFCI upstream

Diagram for step 5: Check for another GFCI upstream
Fig. 5Check for another GFCI upstream
  • Look in nearby bathrooms, kitchen counters, garage, basement, laundry area, exterior outlets, or other nearby rooms for another GFCI outlet on the same circuit.
  • Press RESET on any other tripped GFCI you find.
  • Return to the original outlet and test it again.
Check

Any upstream GFCI has been reset. • The original outlet now has power or its RESET button stays engaged.

Was this step clear?
Step 6 of 6

Stop if the outlet still will not reset

Diagram for step 6: Stop if the outlet still will not reset
Fig. 6Stop if the outlet still will not reset
  • Do not keep forcing the button if it will not stay in.
  • Unplug devices from the outlet and nearby outlets on the same circuit if safe to do so.
  • Arrange service with a licensed electrician if the outlet remains dead or keeps tripping.
Check

You have stopped troubleshooting before opening the outlet or disturbing wiring. • A professional is contacted if the GFCI still fails to reset or trips repeatedly.

Was this step clear?

Common Mistakes

  • ×Trying to reset the outlet while the area or your hands are wet.
  • ×Assuming the GFCI is bad without checking the breaker or another upstream GFCI first.
  • ×Pressing RESET repeatedly when the outlet immediately trips again.
  • ×Ignoring warning signs such as heat, burning smell, buzzing, looseness, or visible damage.
  • ×Opening the outlet or working on wiring without turning off the breaker and verifying power is off.

When to Call a Professional

  • The GFCI will not reset after checking the breaker and nearby GFCI outlets.
  • The outlet trips again immediately or keeps tripping under normal use.
  • The outlet is warm, hot, buzzing, sparking, cracked, loose, discolored, or smells burned.
  • There is water intrusion, dampness inside the box, or the outlet is in a persistently wet condition.
  • A breaker trips repeatedly or will not stay on.
  • You suspect damaged wiring, reverse line/load wiring, or a failed receptacle.

Notes

  • Some GFCI outlets protect additional outlets downstream, so the problem may be caused by another outlet on the same circuit.
  • A GFCI may not reset if there is no incoming power from the breaker or if another GFCI upstream is tripped.
  • If the outlet is old or frequently nuisance-trips, replacement may be needed, but wiring work should be done with power off and is best handled by a qualified person.

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