Whether you’re trying to blow dry your hair or simply want to watch television, you’ll need electrical wires, outlets, and breakers operating behind the scenes to power everything. If your outlet is suddenly not working, it can be a major inconvenience.
When an outlet malfunctions, you first have to narrow down the extent of the problem. With the right troubleshooting, you can determine the underlying cause and when you need to call for help.
What Causes Certain Outlets To Stop Working?
There are a few common reasons why an outlet might stop functioning properly. While some of these can be handled on your own, other causes must be diagnosed and repaired by a licensed electrician.
Loose Wiring
As electrical connections age, they can gradually become loose. Poor installation work, temperature variations, and vibration can also cause wiring to loosen. Once this occurs, electricity cannot flow into the outlet. This represents a major fire hazard, so it’s essential to address loose wiring right away.
Some homes are especially prone to loose wiring. In the 1960s and 1970s, many homes were designed with aluminum wiring. Besides being susceptible to corrosion, aluminum wires are also more likely to become loose over time.
No matter what type of wiring your home has, there are a few common signs that you may be dealing with this problem.
- Buzzing noises from the outlet
- Warm outlet covers
- Discoloration
- Intermittent power
- Flickering lights
Tripped Breakers
Breakers are designed to protect your home from short circuits and overloaded circuits. When the breaker trips, it stops the flow of electricity through the circuit. Any outlet connected to that circuit will not work until the breaker is reset.
Unfortunately, there are many different reasons why a breaker could trip. Damaged wiring, power surges, faulty devices, and overloaded circuits are the most common reasons. You can try moving appliances from the affected circuit to another circuit to see if this helps.
Blown Fuses
Some older homes are equipped with fuse boxes instead of breaker panels. When power levels fluctuate, the fuse blows to break the circuit. To restore power, the fuse must be replaced.
If you have a fuse box, it’s time to consider a replacement. While fuse boxes aren’t inherently unsafe, they developed a reputation for being dangerous because people would replace blown fuses with pennies or pieces of metal. Doing so creates a serious danger because the fuse is intended to blow as a safety mechanism. Without this safety mechanism, an unsafe level of electrical current can flow into the circuit.
Fuse boxes are an older design, so many of them are also starting to fail. If you still have a fuse box installed, it’s time to consider a replacement option.
Faulty Outlets
If the outlet has internal damage, it may stop working. This type of malfunction is especially common in older homes.
Because a damaged outlet is not safe, you should get this issue diagnosed and repaired promptly. The following are common signs that an electrical outlet is faulty.
- Loose plugs
- Discoloration near the outlet
- Burn marks
- A lack of power
- Sparking
Tripped Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) Outlets
GFCI outlets are installed in bathrooms, kitchens, and any space that has a lot of moisture. If the GFCI outlet detects a current imbalance or ground fault in the electrical outlet, it will trip the entire circuit. You’ll be able to tell if this is the problem because every outlet on the same line will be affected.
To fix the GFCI outlet, you need to remedy the underlying problem. Start by removing moisture sources. If the circuit is overloaded, redistribute appliances to different circuits. You may also need to check each appliance to see if it is working because a faulty appliance can cause GFCI outlets to trip.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your outlet is suddenly not working, there are a few troubleshooting tips you can use to address the issue.
Verify the Source of the Problem
When an appliance isn’t functioning properly, it’s easy to assume that the outlet is the cause. However, other problems could be at fault.
To troubleshoot, start by plugging in other devices. If the other devices work, the appliance is the issue.
Then, check other appliances on the same circuit to see if they turn on. This will help you figure out if the entire circuit is the problem.
Reset the Breaker or GFCI Outlet
Next, you can try resetting the breaker and GFCI outlet. The breaker can be reset at the breaker panel. To reset the GFCI outlet, you should press the reset button on the outlet.
Check Wall Switches
In some homes, there are wall switches that control certain outlets or fixtures. If one of these switches is off, it could cause your power to stop working.
How To Know When You Need Professional Help
While you can perform basic troubleshooting on your own, more complex problems should be left to the experts at Mister Sparky. Electrical malfunctions pose a risk to your family and home, so you should never try to repair these components on your own. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it’s time to reach out for professional help.
- The breaker trips repeatedly
- There are sparks or smoke
- Multiple outlets are without power
- You smell a burning odor
- Your home’s electrical components are outdated
- You think that the wiring might be loose or damaged
- The outlet feels warm to the touch
- There are discolored areas around the outlet
- You can’t figure out what is wrong
Get Professional Electrical Repairs
When disaster strikes, Mister Sparky is here to help. Our experienced electricians are familiar with Clearwater homes, so we understand the type of electrical services you need. From complex troubleshooting to prompt repairs, we can help with all of your electrical issues.
Schedule your next repair appointment today. Don’t put up with any malarkey, call Mister Sparky!
