What to do in case your GFCI outlet won’t reset

A GFCI “ground fault circuit interrupter” is mandatory in areas of the house where the risk of electrical shock is higher. They operate when there are electrical current leaks, trip immediately, and cut off the supply, but sometimes a GFCI outlet just won’t reset.

We don’t realize how essential electrical outlets are until one of them stops working. When one outlet fails while others still function, it could indicate a tripped breaker or a bad connection.

How can you tell if a GFCI outlet is bad?

There are two types of GFCIs, manual and self-test GFCIs. The former are the ones that most homeowners own because they are the oldest and most common, and the latter are only recent. However, both can be checked manually.

You will see two buttons on the face of the socket, and the test button is the top one. If the buttons are color-coded, the test button is the black one. The red button is the reset button.

How to fix a GFCI outlet that won’t reset?

Use a three-pin tester. This inexpensive device will tell you if there is a wiring problem that is causing the outlet to malfunction or if the outlet is defective. The procedure for testing the outlet consists of three simple steps:

Step 1: Press the test button

• If the power is on and the GFCI outlet is correct, you will hear a small click.
• The test button will remain pressed, and the power to the outlet will be turned off. 
• If the button does not stay pressed, it may indicate no power to the outlet, a bad connection, or an improperly wired outlet.

Step 2: Check for power

Connect a voltage tester to the outlet and check the indicators:

• Lights remain off, check the circuit breaker and reset it if it has tripped.
• If the circuit breaker is tripped, check the circuits and reset them.
• If there is power, but the outlet isn’t working, a wiring issue may be present. If no lights turn on at all, the outlet may be faulty and require professional electrical services.

Step 3: Press the reset button

The test button has clicked and remained pressed, cutting off power to the socket. You should reinstate power by pressing the reset button.

You will hear a click when you press it, and it should stay pressed. If it doesn’t, this is another possible indication that there is no power flowing through the circuit.

If you check all of this and still nothing is happening, you should replace the GFCI.

Why would a GFCI outlet stop working?

A dead socket is not only annoying but also a fire hazard. That’s why it’s recommended that you seek the help of a professional to fix a dead outlet, especially if you live in an older home that hasn’t been rewired in years.

Once the outlet’s circuit breaker trips, it must be reset to restore power. If the GFCI won’t reset, it could indicate a number of things, such as:

• No power to the GFCI.
• A fault in the GFCI outlet.
• There is a ground fault occurring at a normal outlet that is not working or somewhere downstream of the GFI or GFCI. 
• A bad connection within the electrical system.

If you have already restored the electrical system and reset the GFCI, and it still does not respond, you may have one of the following problems:

1. Check that the other GFCI outlet won’t reset

Before investigating the circuit breaker, test other outlets in the house. Use a voltage tester to check for power in nearby electrical outlets. If multiple outlets are dead, there may be a larger issue with the circuit.

Unplug appliances from dead outlets. This step will help eliminate the possibility that the cause of the problem is an overload or shortage in one of the outlets.

Identify the location of dead outlets with colored or named tape to make them easy to locate once the power has been disconnected.

2. Inspect for a Tripped Breaker or Blown Fuse

Now go to the circuit breakers. Locate your electrical panel and check for a tripped breaker. You will find it in the electrical panel, where the house wiring is located. Open it up and look at the fuses. If it is tripped, reset it, and if the fuse is blown, you need to replace it.

3. Check the GFCIs

Look for GFCI outlets in the bathroom, garage, kitchen, basements, etc. Find all GFCIs in your home, then test and reset them. If the GFCI won’t reset, it could be because there is no power to the GFCI, or the GFCI may have malfunctioned.

If the GFCI trips every time you reset it, there could be a dangerous electrical current leak. In this case, seek professional electrical services.

Evaluate the problem by these symptoms, if the reset button:

• Does not activate when you press the “test” button. It could be that not enough current is reaching the breaker or that you have a faulty GFCI.
• Jumps when you turn something on, a ground fault downstream could be the reason, or the GFCI could have been wired incorrectly.
• It is off, but plugged-in devices are working; there could be a reversed line and load. In rare cases, the breaker could be faulty.

4. Look for loose or bad connections

Grasp the wires and gently wiggle them to identify loose wires. If you find a loose wire, remove the connector. Cut all wires from the connector and strip them to expose ½ inch to ¾ inch of new copper wire to make new connections.

If there are no loose connections in the connector box, look in the other sockets in the vicinity. Start with the ones that you marked earlier with tape and check for

• Terminal screws
• Shoring connections
• Wires in connectors

Important: Always turn off the main circuit breaker before handling electrical wiring to prevent short circuits and electrical shock.

5. Reinstall the connector

Gather the wires together making sure their ends are aligned, then screw them clockwise into a new wire connector.

Turn on the main circuit breaker and check to see if the problem has been solved.

If your still GFCI outlet won’t reset to fix the dead socket problem, it’s time to call an electrician. It is a common problem for GFCI outlets to break. However, as an integral part of your home’s safety, you should fix the problem immediately when you detect a broken GFCI outlet.

Bottom line

If your GFCI outlet won’t reset after following these troubleshooting steps, it’s time to call a professional electrician. A faulty GFCI is a common problem, but it should never be ignored. By ensuring that your home complies with the electrical code and addressing any issues promptly, you can prevent potential hazards and keep your electrical system functioning safely.

Written by Vanessa Gallanti. February 16, 2023

Enthusiast about planning, project management, construction materials and technology, and construction. A civil engineer from Los Andes University and a content writer for Kukun.