How to Restore Power to an Electrical Outlet

Did one of your electrical outlets stop working? Before requesting maintenance or calling an electrician, there are a few simple steps you can try to safely restore power yourself!

There are two main types of outlets in your home: standard outlets, found in most rooms, and GFCI outlets, commonly located in kitchens and bathrooms. You can easily spot a GFCI outlet—it has two small buttons on the front, usually labeled “Test” and “Reset.” 

If the outlet you’re troubleshooting is a GFCI, here’s what to do: 

1. Unplug any devices from the outlet. 

2. Press the small ‘Reset’ button until you hear a click. 

3. Plug in a small device, like a phone charger, to check if the power is restored. 

Now, if you’re dealing with a standard outlet, it could still be connected to a GFCI outlet elsewhere on the same circuit. That GFCI may have tripped and cut power to the outlet you’re trying to use.

1. Find the GFCI outlet near the outlet that has lost power.  

2. Unplug any devices from the outlet. 

3. Press the small ‘Reset’ button until you hear a click. 

4. Plug in a small device, like a phone charger, to check if the power is restored. 

1. Again, unplug anything connected to the outlet. 

2. Next, locate the home’s electrical breaker box—usually found in the basement, garage, utility room, or even on the side of the home. 

3. Look for any tripped breakers. A tripped breaker will be slightly out of alignment with the others. 

4. To reset it, simply flip the switch all the way off, then back on. You should hear a click. 

 
Once the breaker is reset, test the outlet again. If power is restored, you’re all set! 

 
If the outlet still isn’t working, or if breakers continue to trip, it may be time to call a professional. If you’re living in a Progress Residential home, just request maintenance online and we’ll come take care of it for you.