How to Troubleshoot Lost Power at Home | Progress Residential
Publish Date: September 28, 2026
Quick Fixes for a Power Outage
- Lost power in part of your home? A tripped GFCI outlet or circuit breaker is often the cause.
- Lost power throughout your entire home? Contact your electric utility provider to check for a local power outage in your area.
- Still without power after troubleshooting? Submit a maintenance request through the Progress Home+ app for additional assistance.
A sudden loss of power in your home can be surprising, but it doesn’t always mean there’s a major issue. Many common electrical outages can be resolved in just a few minutes by resetting the GFCI outlet or circuit breaker.
Before placing a service request, try following these quick troubleshooting steps first.
Step 1: Determine How Much Power Is Out
First, identify whether the outage affects your entire home or only a specific room or area.
- If your entire home is without power, contact your electric utility provider to check whether there is a local outage.
- If only part of your home has lost power, the issue is often a tripped GFCI outlet or circuit breaker.
Step 2: Check for a Tripped GFCI Outlet
A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet is designed to shut off power when it detects an electrical issue. These outlets are commonly found in:
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Garages
- Laundry rooms
- Outdoor areas
To reset a GFCI outlet:
- Unplug any devices connected to the affected outlet.
- Locate the GFCI outlet serving that area.
- Press the RESET button.
- Plug a device back in and test the outlet.
- If needed, press the TEST button and then RESET again.
If power is restored, you’re all set!
Step 3: Check the Circuit Breaker
If the GFCI reset doesn’t solve the issue, check your home’s electrical panel. The breaker box may be located in:
- The garage
- The basement
- An exterior utility area
Look for a breaker that appears to be in the middle position rather than fully ON. To reset a tripped breaker:
- Push the breaker completely to the OFF position.
- Move it back to the ON position.
If power returns, the breaker was likely the cause of the outage.
How to Request Maintenance in Your Progress Residential Home
If you’ve reset the GFCI outlet, reset the circuit breaker, confirmed there is no local power outage and the issue still isn’t resolved, it’s time to submit a maintenance request for additional assistance. You can do so in the Progress Home+ mobile app.
- Download the iOS app here.
- Download the Android app here.
Many electrical outages affecting a single room or area can be resolved in just a few minutes by resetting a GFCI outlet or circuit breaker. Taking these simple troubleshooting steps first may help restore power quickly and get your household back to normal.
For more helpful home-related content, inspiration and tips, visit “The Neighborhood“, Progress Residential’s blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did the power go out in only one room of my Progress Residential home?
If only one room or area of your home has lost power, the most common causes are a tripped GFCI outlet or a tripped circuit breaker. Following the troubleshooting steps above may help restore power quickly.
- Where can I find my Progress Residential home’s circuit breaker panel?
The circuit breaker panel is often located in the garage, basement, utility closet, or on an exterior wall of the home. Look for a breaker that appears to be in the middle position rather than fully ON.
- What should I do if resetting the GFCI outlet and circuit breaker doesn’t work?
If you’ve reset the GFCI outlet, reset the circuit breaker, and confirmed there is no utility outage, submit a maintenance request through the Progress Home +Plus app for further assistance.
Learn more about Progress Residential’s home care and maintenance process.
