A dead outlet is frustrating, but it’s also a safety flag. Sometimes it’s a simple reset; other times it points to overloaded circuits or loose wiring that can start a fire. This guide walks you through safe checks you can do yourself and how to know when it’s time to call a licensed electrician.
Typical costs / fees (if applicable)
Actual prices vary by region and electrician, but these ballpark ranges can help you plan:
-
Service call / diagnostic visit
- Roughly $75–$150+ for a basic visit, often covering the first 30–60 minutes.
- May be higher for after-hours, weekends, or emergency calls.
-
Replace a standard outlet (if wiring is OK)
- About $80–$200 per outlet, including parts and labor, depending on access and how many are done at once.
- GFCI outlets cost more than standard outlets.
-
Troubleshoot a dead circuit with multiple outlets out
- Commonly $150–$400+, depending on how long it takes to trace wiring, access junction boxes, and make repairs.
-
Fix wiring issues (loose connections, damaged wires, junction box repairs)
- Simple repairs might be $150–$300.
- More complex issues (hidden junctions, damaged cable runs, aluminum wiring) can run $300–$800+.
-
Panel-related issues (bad breaker, overloaded circuit)
- Replacing a single breaker: often $150–$300.
- Larger panel work or reconfiguring circuits can be several hundred dollars or more, depending on scope.
Costs go up when:
- The issue is hard to access (behind finished walls, in tight attics, or crawlspaces)
- Your home has older wiring (knob-and-tube, aluminum, or mixed wiring types)
- The electrician needs to trace multiple outlets and junction boxes to find the fault
- Work requires permits or inspections (more common for panel upgrades or new circuits)
What to expect (process overview)
1. Rule out simple, non-electrical causes
Before touching anything electrical:
-
Test the device elsewhere
- Plug the lamp, charger, or appliance into a known working outlet.
- If it doesn’t work there either, the device is likely the problem, not the outlet.
-
Check switches controlling the outlet
- Some outlets are half-switched (top or bottom controlled by a wall switch).
- Flip nearby switches to see if the outlet comes back on.
2. Look for GFCI outlets and reset them
GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) outlets have “Test” and “Reset” buttons and are commonly found in:
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Garages
- Basements
- Outdoor areas
Steps:
- Find all GFCIs in the area – The dead outlet may be “downstream” from a GFCI in another room.
- Press the Reset button firmly – You should feel or hear a click.
- Retest the dead outlet with a lamp or phone charger.
Stop and call a pro if:
- The GFCI won’t reset or trips again immediately.
- You see cracks, burn marks, or melting on the GFCI or nearby outlets.
3. Check your breaker panel (safely)
Your breaker panel controls power to different areas of your home.
- Find the panel – Often in a utility area, garage, basement, or closet.
- Look for tripped breakers
- A tripped breaker may be in the middle position or look slightly off from the others.
- Some panels have a small orange/red indicator on tripped breakers.
To reset:
- Stand to the side, not directly in front of the panel.
- Firmly switch the breaker all the way OFF, then back ON.
- Test the outlet again.
Stop and call an electrician if:
- The breaker immediately trips again or won’t reset.
- You hear buzzing, see sparks, or smell burning at the panel.
- You are not comfortable operating the panel at all.
Anything beyond flipping a breaker (like opening the panel cover or replacing breakers) should be left to a licensed electrician.
4. Check other outlets and lights on the same circuit
This helps narrow down the problem:
- Test nearby outlets in the same room and adjacent rooms.
- Note patterns:
- One outlet dead, others fine → often a local outlet or connection issue.
- Several outlets and/or lights out → may be a circuit or junction box issue.
Share what you find with your electrician; it can speed up troubleshooting and potentially lower labor time.
5. Look (but don’t poke) for visible damage
Without removing covers or touching wiring, you can safely:
- Visually inspect the outlet faceplate
- Look for discoloration, scorch marks, cracks, or melted plastic.
- Smell for burning or “hot plastic” odor
- This is a serious warning sign of overheating or arcing.
If you see or smell anything unusual:
- Stop using the outlet immediately.
- Do not plug anything in or attempt repairs.
- Call a licensed electrician as soon as possible.
6. Decide whether to try basic DIY testing
If you’re comfortable and the power is on elsewhere:
- You may use a simple plug-in tester (the kind with indicator lights) to check if the outlet has power or is wired incorrectly.
- Follow the tester’s instructions exactly; if readings are confusing, don’t guess—share a photo of the tester’s lights with your electrician.
Avoid:
- Removing outlet covers or pulling outlets out of the box unless you are experienced and fully understand electrical safety.
- Working on any outlet that shows damage, heat, or buzzing.
7. What a professional electrician will typically do
When you call a pro, expect something like this:
-
Initial questions
- When did you first notice the outlet was dead?
- Is it just one outlet or multiple?
- Any recent storms, renovations, or new appliances?
-
On-site inspection
- Test the outlet and nearby outlets with professional meters.
- Check the breaker panel for issues.
- Inspect outlets and junction boxes on the circuit for loose or burned connections.
-
Diagnosis and options
- Explain whether the issue is a bad outlet, wiring problem, GFCI issue, or breaker/circuit problem.
- Provide repair options and estimated costs before proceeding.
-
Repair and testing
- Replace faulty outlets, GFCIs, or breakers as needed.
- Repair or secure wiring connections.
- Test the circuit thoroughly to confirm everything is working and safe.
DIY vs. hire a pro
What you can usually do yourself (low risk)
Most homeowners can safely:
- Test the device in another outlet
- Reset GFCI outlets using the Reset button
- Flip a tripped breaker off and back on (without opening the panel)
- Visually inspect outlet covers for obvious damage
- Unplug devices and reduce load on a circuit (e.g., move space heaters or large appliances)
If the outlet starts working again after these steps, keep an eye on it. Repeated trips or frequent issues still deserve a professional look.
When you should hire a licensed electrician
For safety, call a pro if:
- The outlet is still dead after GFCI and breaker checks.
- A breaker won’t reset or keeps tripping.
- You notice burning smells, sparks, buzzing, or warm outlets/faceplates.
- Multiple outlets or lights are out on the same circuit.
- Your home has older wiring (like aluminum or knob-and-tube).
- You’re considering replacing outlets, GFCIs, or working inside boxes and you’re not experienced.
Working with electricity can cause shock, burns, or fire if done incorrectly. Anything involving:
- The electrical panel
- Rewiring or adding circuits
- Aluminum wiring
- Wet locations (bathrooms, kitchens, outdoors)
is best left to a licensed electrician who understands code and safety requirements.
Questions to ask before you commit
When you’re ready to bring in a pro, these questions can help you choose wisely:
- Are you a licensed and insured electrician in this area?
- Do you charge a flat diagnostic fee or hourly? What does it include?
- What’s your typical price range for troubleshooting a dead outlet or circuit?
- Do you offer upfront estimates before starting repairs?
- Will you check the entire circuit, not just the one outlet, for safety issues?
- How do you handle older wiring or previous DIY work if you find it?
- If parts need replacing (outlet, GFCI, breaker), are they included in the estimate?
- Will this repair bring everything up to current electrical code, or just fix the immediate issue?
- How long do you expect the diagnosis and repair to take?
- Do you provide a warranty or guarantee on your work and parts?
- Will I receive a written summary of what you found and what you fixed?
- Do you offer any emergency or after-hours service if the problem comes back?
Quick FAQ
Why did several outlets stop working at once?
Often, multiple outlets are on the same circuit, or they’re protected by a single GFCI outlet. If that GFCI trips or the circuit breaker trips, several outlets can go dead together. Resetting the GFCI or breaker may restore power, but repeated trips mean you should call an electrician.
Is it safe to use an outlet that feels warm?
A slightly warm outlet from normal use (like a phone charger) can be okay, but an outlet that feels hot, smells like burning, or shows discoloration is not safe. Unplug everything and contact an electrician immediately.
Can a bad outlet cause a fire?
Yes. Loose connections, damaged outlets, or overloaded circuits can create heat and arcing, which can start a fire inside the wall. That’s why it’s important not to ignore dead outlets, burning smells, or scorch marks.
Do I need a GFCI outlet everywhere?
GFCIs are required by modern codes in areas with moisture or outdoor exposure (bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements, and outdoor receptacles). Even if your home is older, upgrading to GFCIs in these areas is a safety improvement and is best done by a licensed electrician.
Wrap-up / next steps
A non-working outlet can be anything from a simple reset to a sign of a serious wiring problem. Start with safe, basic checks—test the device, reset nearby GFCIs, and check for a tripped breaker. If the outlet still doesn’t work, or you notice any signs of heat or damage, it’s time to bring in a licensed electrician.
Getting 2–3 quotes can help you understand what’s really going on and what a fair price looks like for your situation. You can use Home Services Scout to quickly compare local electricians, review their experience, and find someone who can safely diagnose and repair your outlet issue.