How to fix a broken electric outlet?

Question

One of four electric outlet stopped working. I replaced the outlet and it still doesn't work? What elso could I do?

Answer 1

Usually outlets are wired several to a breaker. The wire will run from the breaker box to the first outlet, then another wire from that outlet to the next and so on. Try opening up the next closest outlet towards the breaker box and look for loose or broken wires.
You really should have a voltmeter or ohmmeter because loose wires are hard to see. Good luck.

Answer 2

A cheap & safe way to check is with a plug in tester.
They have 3 LEDs which tell if you have a fault with hot,neutral & ground.
If the outlet was wired properly in the first place with the outlet on pigtails, check the wirenut connections.
Good chance one of them is loose.
Often happens if the outlet is used to feed others & too many wires are nutted together.

Answer 3

The only legal way and safe way to avoid a fire hazard later is to shut off the breaker, remove the receptacle, wire nut the white wires together, wire nut the black wires together and then put a blank plate over the box. The electrical code does not permit "burying" these boxes in the wall and drywalling over them . They must be accessible. If you are not familiar with working with electrical wires than hire a licensed electrician to do this for you the right way.

Answer 4

Trace the wire back to where that outlet is fed from the wire more than likely is loose or has shorted out

Answer 5

If you do not readily see a problem with the wires, and your breaker box is okay - no breakers are thrown, you should call an electrician because you could have broken wires in the wall/attic area.

Answer 6

depending on what room it is in its probably on a gfi oulet ( outlet with a reset button on it) push the button to reset

Answer 7

not wired properly if the other the works