Why won't my GFCI outlet reset?
Short answer: A GFCI usually won't reset for one of three reasons: it has no power (tripped breaker or another GFCI upstream), something plugged in or wet is still causing a ground fault, or the device has failed. Unplug everything, check the breaker, and look for another tripped GFCI. If it still won't reset, replace it or call an electrician.
What does a GFCI outlet actually do?
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) watches the current going out on a circuit and the current coming back. The CPSC says that if the two differ by “as little as 0.006 amperes” (6 milliamps), the GFCI “interrupts power faster than a blink of an eye.”
ESFI says GFCIs “have helped cut the number of home electrocutions in half.” They first entered the National Electrical Code in the late 1960s and 1970s, per the CPSC’s timeline.
Where are GFCI outlets required?
The CPSC fact sheet lists these locations where the National Electrical Code requires GFCIs in new construction or major renovations:
| Location | GFCI required (new work) |
|---|---|
| Bathrooms | Yes |
| Kitchens | Yes |
| Garages | Yes |
| Outdoor receptacles | Yes |
| Crawl spaces and unfinished basements | Yes |
| Wet bar, laundry and utility sinks | Yes |
| Underwater pool lighting | Yes |
Code rules change over time and local codes vary. Your local building department has the current rules for your home.
Why won’t my GFCI reset?
Leviton says many of its GFCIs are built so they “won’t reset” if the device “is miswired, lacks power, or has reached the end of its life.” That gives you a short list of causes.
| Cause | What it looks like | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| No power | Reset button does nothing | Breaker panel |
| Another GFCI upstream | Outlet is dead, no GFCI on it trips | Other GFCIs on the same circuit |
| Real ground fault | Trips again right away | Plugged-in devices, water in the box |
| Failed device | Won’t reset with power and nothing plugged in | Replace the GFCI |
| Miswired | New install never worked right | Electrician |
No power. A reset-lockout GFCI cannot reset without power. A tripped breaker is an easy first thing to rule out.
Another GFCI controls it. Leviton says a GFCI can “provide feed-through protection to ordinary outlets wired downstream” on its load side. A dead outlet in a bathroom or garage may be fed by a GFCI in another room. That upstream GFCI must be reset first.
A real ground fault. A damaged cord, a faulty tool, or rainwater in an outdoor box can keep tripping it. The GFCI is doing its job.
End of life. Leviton notes that moisture, surges and wear can make a GFCI fail, and a failed unit cannot be reset. The CPSC adds that blackouts and power disturbances can damage a GFCI.
How do I safely get a GFCI to reset?
- Unplug everything on the GFCI and any outlets it may protect.
- Check the breaker panel. Reset any tripped breaker once. If it trips again, see why a circuit breaker keeps tripping.
- Find any upstream GFCI. Check bathrooms, kitchen, garage, basement and outdoor outlets. Press reset firmly on each.
- Let wet outlets dry. If an outdoor or bathroom outlet got wet, leave it unplugged and dry before trying again. Do not touch wet outlets or work in standing water.
- Press reset on the dead GFCI. If it holds, plug devices back in one at a time. The one that trips it is likely faulty.
Never open an outlet box or work on wiring with the power on.
How do I test a GFCI each month?
The CPSC recommends testing after installation, at least once a month, and after a power failure. Follow the maker’s directions. If you have none, the CPSC suggests this:
- Plug in a lamp and turn it on.
- Press TEST. The light should go out.
- Press RESET. The light should come back on.
If the light stays on after TEST, the CPSC says the GFCI is not working or was installed incorrectly; have a qualified electrician check it. If the light won’t come back on after RESET, the CPSC says to replace the GFCI.
When should I call a licensed electrician?
Call an electrician if:
- The GFCI won’t reset with power at the breaker and nothing plugged in.
- It trips right away with nothing plugged in.
- The light stays on when you press TEST.
- The outlet cover or switch plate feels hot, or you smell overheated plastic. The CPSC lists both as hazard warning signs.
- You see sparks or hear sizzling or buzzing.
- It is a new installation that never worked right. Leviton notes reversed line and load wires are a common mistake.
Quick answers
Why is my GFCI outlet dead but not tripped? It may have no power from the breaker, or another GFCI upstream may have tripped. Check the panel, then reset every GFCI on that circuit.
How often should I test a GFCI? The CPSC says at least once a month, after installation, and after a power failure.
Why does my outdoor GFCI trip when it rains? Water in the outlet box or a wet cord can create a real ground fault. Let it dry before resetting. If it keeps happening, have the outlet and its cover checked.
Is it safe to keep resetting a GFCI that trips? No. Repeated tripping means something is wrong. Find the cause or call a licensed electrician.
Sources
- ESFI: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
- CPSC: GFCI Fact Sheet (Pub. 099, PDF)
- CPSC: CPSC, National Electrical Safety Foundation Urge Consumers to Plug Into Electrical Safety
- Leviton: Reset Lockout Technology, the Safety Upgrade That GFCI Outlets Need
- Leviton: GFCI Buyers Guide (PDF)
- CPSC: Electrical Safety (home safety guide, PDF)