Electrical Troubleshooting Lost Outlet Power
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Common Causes for Lost Power to Outlets and Switches on a GFCI Circuit: Troubleshooting No Power to a Living Room and GFCI, Free Electrical Help, Learn Electric Wiring. © By: Dave Rongey |
Troubleshooting Lost Power to a Living Room
Electrical Question: My living room is the only room in the house without electricity.
- There is no power to the light switches or outlets.
- The GFCI Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter on outside porch was just replaced and there is no power to it either.
- Main breaker box shows power to the 20 amp circuit breaker and from the breaker to living room.
- I had this problem once before but it was the GFCI on the porch that needed to be reset.
Any ideas?
Background: Bob, who is a Handyman in New York.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Bob.
How to Troubleshoot Lost Power to Outlets and Switches
Application: Troubleshooting Lost Electric Power to a Living Room and GFCI Outlet.
Skill Level: Advanced – a Licensed Electrical Contractor should be consulted right away.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Ammeter and Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on age of the home, the condition of the electrical system and available access to electrical components.
Precaution: Electrical troubleshooting of this level is best performed by a licensed electrical contractor who will identify the problem and make the necessary repairs.
Common Causes for Lost Power to Outlets and Switches on a GFCI Circuit
- Checking for a Tripped GFCI Outlet
You mentioned that the GFCI Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter on the outside porch was just replaced and that you had this problem once before, but the problem was that the GFCI on the porch needed to be reset, therefore begin by trying to reset the GFCI outlet located on the porch. - Tripped Circuit Breaker
You mentioned that you have identified the circuit breaker for the living room, so it would be good to switch the circuit breaker all the way into the OFF position, and then back into the ON position. - Circuit Electrical Wiring
Keep in mind that the GFCI outlet on the porch should not control the power inside the living room area. The circuit wiring of the GFCI outlet can be changed so the GFCI protection does not interfere with the living room, you can see more about this as described in the information provided below. - Local Electrical Help
An inspection of your circuit wiring by a local electrician may provide more electrical system advice that could prevent future problems.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Lost Power
- Electrical Outlets: Lost Power to Room Outlets
- Electrician Explains Why Some Room Outlets Have Lost Power and What To Do.
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Why Is My Bathroom Light Fixture Not Working? |
Repair a GFI Outlet Circuit |
Hi Jessica,
The outlet circuit wire splices and connections will need to be inspected to locate the cause of the open neutral, and then the appropriate repairs will be required. In some instances a burnt outlet is found which will need to be replaced and repairs to the wiring as needed.
I hope this helps,
Dave
Three of our outlets in our living room quit working. We replaced them and some work but some still have no power. We have a light switch that we could not figure out what it controlled so we replaced it, but still no power. We checked the beaker box and all was good there. We have tested the GFCI outlets and they were good. We used a receptacle tester for the outlets that don’t work with that light switch on it reads an open neutral, and with switch off it reads open ground. Our house was built in 1950’s and there is no ground wire on any of the outlets.
Hi Dave,
Troubleshooting Lost Power to a Dryer Circuit
Turn the dryer circuit breaker all the way off, and then back on. The circuit should be producing 240 volts when testing both circuit wires with a voltage tester.
If the circuit is not showing 240 volts then it is possible that the circuit breaker is faulty, or there is a problem at the electrical service panel. In that case the service should be tested and inspected by a qualified electrician.
I hope this helps,
Dave
My dryer quit working. I checked the dryer two times. Everything checked out. I checked the breaker and it shows two 110 volt readings, 30amp for the dryer, both circuits are hot.
I checked the dryer outlet and there is 110 on one side, and no voltage on the other. I thought the problem must be with the outlet so I replaced the outlet and had the same problem.
One side of the 220 is not powered.
Somewhere between the breaker and the dryer it loses power. The trick is that the dryer is only thing on that circuit.
Hi Lawrence,
How to Test a Bathroom Circuit
Make sure the circuit for the bathrooms is being tested with a voltage tester, especially with readings from the power leg to the neutral, and the power leg to the ground. It sounds to me like you have lost the neutral of this circuit either at one of the devices, such as a controlling GFCI receptacle, or at the circuit breaker panel. If there is GFCI protection provided by a GFCI in one of the bathrooms then troubleshooting should begin there. A qualified electrician should check the incoming circuit power to the bathroom, and the circuit connections at the panel with special attention to the neutral of the circuit.
I hope this helps,
Dave
I have a puzzling problem. The lights and outlets in both bathrooms are on the same circuit. There is power coming to all outlets (verified with a circuit tester and voltmeter) and light fixtures. Nothing plugged into the outlets works (they work in other rooms but not in either bathroom. Replaced outlets and fixtures (still not working but receiving power). Replaced light switches (power shows at fixture but no light). Bulbs are good. Circuit breaker tripped when I shorted the wires. Is there a solution for this or is a complete house rewire needed?
Thank I change both gfi and it didn’t work so final tested all plug found a bad plug that is between both gfi change out the plug everything was working fine until this morning wife put on the blow dryer and back to same problem… you thing overload on the plug would burn out????
Arch, no that is not normal. If the GFI is not getting power then there is a problem upstream.
Gfi trip and loss power I have a gfi in the garage and 1 in the bathroom.. the gfi in the garage the light is green and I was able to reset… the one in the bathroom I cannot reset I took the gfi off tested the wires no juice to directly to wires….. is that normal and which gfi is bad????