Kitchen Outlets Not Working

By Dave Rongey Summary: Electrical Outlets Question: Our kitchen has 4 outlets each 2nd outlet has stopped working. I've checked for power with a voltage tester.

Why Some Kitchen Outlets are Not Working

Electrical Outlets Question:
Our kitchen has 4 outlets each 2nd outlet has stopped working.

I've checked for power with a voltage tester. There is power in the wall leading to the outlet, yet no power on the actual wire. I believe that all 4 outlets are all connected to one circuit, so why would every 2nd outlet be dead?

I changed each outlet, yet there's no power indicated going to the wire, on each of the 3 wire's red, one or black.
Thanks, Neil


Hi Neil - Great Electrical Repair Question!
Check GFCI Outlets
Have you checked to see if any GFI outlets or breakers are tripped? Electrical Codes require that kitchen outlets be protected by GFI receptacles or breakers.

Once you discover the source of the GFI's I would double check to make sure they are wired correctly, Hot in to Line, and Load for the outlets downstream.

As you described the wire colors you may have a 3-wire circuit where the neutral is shared with two circuits, red and black, or there may be another wiring method installed which could only be discovered with a voltage tester.

Also when something like this happens, ask yourself what has happened recently which may have caused this to happen?

Have all of these outlets worked fin in the past?

I realize these a simple questions, however many times very obvious things happen which may be overlooked that become a knee-slapping moment when you realize the cause.