Electrical outlets usually stop working because something has interrupted the circuit, most often a tripped GFCI outlet or circuit breaker, or because the outlet itself is worn or has a loose wiring connection. The exact cause cannot be confirmed without checking the outlet and the circuit it is on.
Knowing the possibilities can help you describe the problem and decide when to call for repair.
Tripped Circuit Protection
Many outlets share a circuit that is protected by a breaker in the panel. When that breaker trips, every outlet and light on the circuit can lose power at once.
GFCI outlets, the ones with test and reset buttons, protect against ground faults and are common in kitchens, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas. One GFCI can protect several outlets downstream, sometimes in another room. When it trips, those other outlets go dead too. Pressing reset on a GFCI is a normal step, but if it will not reset or trips again soon, the circuit should be checked. In Utah, GFCI outlets in garages and outdoor areas may also trip after rain or melting snow reaches them. AFCI devices, which respond to dangerous arcing, can also cut power to the outlets on a circuit.
Worn or Damaged Outlets
Outlets do not last forever. The metal contacts inside can lose their grip over time, which is why plugs sometimes slide out on their own. Loose-fitting plugs can cause overheating, and heat can damage the outlet further.
Cracked faces, scorch marks, discoloration or an outlet that feels warm are signs of damage. In these cases the outlet is usually replaced rather than repaired, and the box and nearby wiring may need to be checked for heat damage.
Wiring and Connection Problems
Outlets on the same circuit are often connected one after another. A loose connection at one outlet can cut power to it and to the outlets after it, even though those outlets are fine. Connections can loosen over time, especially where devices get heavy use.
If several outlets go dead together, power cuts in and out, or an outlet works only when a plug is wiggled, the issue may be a connection rather than the outlet itself. These problems can create heat, so they should not be ignored.
When to Seek Professional Repair
Call for help if resetting the breaker or GFCI does not bring power back, if the outlet keeps losing power, or if you notice heat, odors, sparks or marks. Do not remove the cover plate or test the wiring yourself. For problems limited to the device, electrical outlet repair may be the right fix.
When an outlet stops working in your Salt Lake City home and the cause is not obvious, our electrical repair services can trace the problem through the circuit and restore power safely.