An electrical outlet usually stops working because power to it has been interrupted, the outlet itself has worn out or a wiring connection has failed. A tripped breaker or GFCI outlet is often the simplest explanation, but it is not the only one.
Because several problems can look the same from the outside, the cause is not always obvious from one dead outlet.
Simple Interruptions to Check First
Many dead outlets are caused by a protective device that has done its job. A breaker in the panel may have tripped, cutting power to the whole circuit. If other outlets or lights in the same area are also off, this is a common reason.
GFCI outlets can also cut power to other outlets. One GFCI in a bathroom, kitchen, garage or outdoor area may protect several outlets further down the line. If it trips, those outlets go dead too, even though they look like regular outlets.
Some outlets are controlled by a wall switch, especially in living rooms and bedrooms. If the switch is off, the outlet will seem dead.
If you reset a breaker or GFCI and it trips again right away, leave it off. Repeated tripping can point to a fault that needs to be found.
Problems With the Outlet Itself
Outlets wear out over time. The metal contacts inside can lose their grip, crack or burn, and the outlet may stop supplying power reliably. Older outlets, and outlets that see heavy use, are more likely to fail.
Damage is another possibility. An outlet that has been hit, overheated or exposed to water may no longer work. Signs such as cracked faces, scorch marks or melted plastic mean the outlet should not be used.
Wiring and Connection Concerns
Sometimes the outlet is fine, but the wires feeding it are not. Loose connections at the outlet or at another device on the same circuit can interrupt power. Many outlets are wired in a chain, so one failed connection can affect several outlets after it.
Older backstab connections, where wires are pushed into holes in the back of the outlet, can loosen over time. Damaged wiring inside the wall, caused by nails, pests or past work, can also cut off power.
Loose connections can create heat and arcing, so they deserve attention even if the outlet only stops working now and then.
When to Call an Electrician
If resetting the breaker and any nearby GFCI does not restore power, it is time for a professional check. The same is true if the outlet is warm, smells like burning, buzzes or shows damage.
Do not remove the cover plate or pull the outlet out of the box to look at the wires. Outlets can stay live even when they seem dead.
An electrician can test the circuit, find where power stops and decide whether the outlet, a connection or the wiring needs repair.
Our electrical outlet repair in Denver page explains how dead and damaged outlets are fixed. If an outlet in your home has stopped working, contact us and describe what you have noticed so we can help you plan the next step.