why does my GFCI power outlet not reset?

Question

My GFCI power outlet in my kitchen stopped working and does not reset. It has been a few weeks now. How do I troubleshoot / fix it?

Thanks

Wow, Lot of good answers. I will try them when I get home.

Thanks

Answer 1

Sometimes they just "give out" -- but before you go buy a new one...
Most of the time there is more than one GFCI outlet on a circuit. See if there's another one around, it could even be in a bathroom or the garage, that has also "popped." If you reset every one in the house and the kitchen one still won't reset, replace it. It's easy to do with just a screwdriver, and they're only about $2 at Home Depot. If you're not comfortable doing it, hire an electrician ($80-$100 for a 10-minute job, but up to you!).
I had 2 go bad after 5 years...replaced them and it's all good.

Answer 2

It could be a short in the circuit and/or defective GFCI outlet. If you have never performed any electrical service work, you might should consider having a professional look at this. This is generally well within the scope of the do-it-yourselfer, but some electrical knowledge is a must.

First, check the actual circuit and breaker. Are there other outlets on the same circuit? Are all of them working properly? If so, you should turn off the breaker and try resetting the GFCI. If it resets with the power turned off and then trips again immediately when the breaker is turned on, that would probably indicate a short. The circuit should be tested with a multi-tester and the outlet replaced. You can pick up a handbook at Lowes or Home Depot that will explain the basics of home wiring pretty well.

Answer 3

You can't reset a GFCI outlet without power running to it. That could mean a problem in the circuit anywhere between that GFCI outlet and the breaker itself. Did you check the breaker in the panel to see that it wasn't tripped? Are there GFCI receptacles in line prior to the faulty one in question? If so check that any of them are reset as well.
For an entire circuit to be GFCI, only the first outlet in sequence need be of the GFCI type. I would start by checking the breaker for that circuit to make sure it's not tripped. Then check that it's a 20 amp breaker and that the wire used is 12 gauge...it will either be a yellow wire to denote 12 gauge or it will be printed as such on the wire at regular intervals. All 20 A circuits need to be wired with 12 gauge wire. 14 gauge wire would likely work but isn't actually rated to carry a 20 A circuit.

Answer 4

Gfci Outlet Won T Reset

Answer 5

The GFCI outlet might need to be replaced. BUT, you may have a short somewhere that keeps it tripped. Unplug everything on that circuit (the circuit might include several plugs, possibly even in different rooms) and see if you can reset the outlet. That would mean a short in some appliance plugged into that circuit which you couldl find by plugging the appliances back in one at a time.

If the GFCI itself is not bad (say you replaced it and the new one did the same thing), and the problem was not a short in an appliance on the circuit, then you have a problem with the circuit itself, and you need an electrician.

Answer 6

Buy a new outlet at the hardware store. THey're about 4 dollars.

To replace, turn off the breaker to the switch. Verify that the current is cut with an ampmeter. Once you;re positive that there is no power running, remove the plate and the outlet with a screwdriver. Disconnect wires, connect wires to new outlet. Reconnect screws. Replace faceplate. Trun on power. Test the outlet and reset switches.

If you do not have an ampmeter or do not know how to use it, absolutely do NOT attempt this yourself. You can easily electrocute yourself. Call a handyman instead.

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
why does my GFCI power outlet not reset?
My GFCI power outlet in my kitchen stopped working and does not reset. It has been a few weeks now. How do I troubleshoot / fix it?

Thanks

Answer 8

Gfci Won T Reset

Answer 9

No way to really repair a GFI, if it worked before, chances are the receptacle went bad and you need to replace it. This is not a difficult job as long as you know where and how to turn off the power to this plug. Once off, look at the back of the old gfi once you removed it. You will notice a line and load side marked. You will need to transfer these wires exactly to the same marked location on the new gfi, then install it back into box and turn power back on. If it is installed correctly then then trip button once pushed in trips the gfi and no power is available at the gfi

Answer 10

It may have worn out if it has a history of tripping.

Did you press the reset button? They do not reset by themselves.

Check out this link:
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infelectrical/infgfi.shtm