Why can't I reset my GFCI receptacle?

Answer 1

If it tripped there must be a reason (water, short in wires) this must be fixed before you can reset

Answer 2

It can either be because a fault truly exists... or because the component itself has failed.

As with much these days, as an electrician I find that electrical components (even with a UL label) are being manufactured more and more cheaply. Many units are just DOA right out of the box. Others have an unbelievably short life-cycle before they fail. If you are asking this question one has to assume that you are not comfortable pulling it out and changing it yourself... because they only cost about $8 and you would have tried that already.

Call a licensed electrician. A GFCI receptacle can also feed other receptacles "downstream" (i.e. the one to the left of your sink can also protect the one on the right, or under the cupboard, etc...). The problem might not be with that receptacle at all, but with one it is also protecting. The unit won't allow itself to be reset until all faults downstream have been cleared. Try unplugging EVERYTHING near it and try a reset. If it still won't clear, the problem is in the box, in the wall, or downstream... or the unit is just bad. If it goes away, then one of the devices you disconnected was causing it. If it will reset, try plugging things back in one by one. When trips again, the last device you plugged in was the culprit, and it's either unsafe to use, or you just can't use it on that circuit.

Some devices, by their very nature, create electrical noise and can't be used on the same circuit as a GFCI, even though a ground fault doesn't actually exist. Also, GFCI's are manufactured to a TOLERANCE, so some really are more touchy than others.

If you can't isolate the problem to a specific plugged-in device, I'd surely call an electrician to locate the fault.

Answer 3

hi, Zane has the right answer, you definitely have something shorting out.
Those outlets just don't go bad for no reason.
Try unplugging everything on that circuit.
If it resets, then one by one, plug back in each appliance.
If it trips, you'll know which appliance is at fault.
You could have just a toaster, plugged in, not in use, that could have an intermittent grounding defect that is causing tripping, or any other item such as a lamp or night lite.
Change out the outlet ONLY as the last resort.
Eliminate all possible sources first, electricity shows no mercy to anyone.
Hope this helps,
Dave

OR HEY!
Did you recently nail up a picture, trim work or drive any screws into a wall by any wire routing's?
Could you maybe have hit/punchtured or cut into a circiut while remodeling?
I once had an outlet go bad, that caused my ground-fault to trip.

You may have a loose ground-wire in one of your outlets?

Answer 4

they have a life expectancy of about ten years. it could be time to replace it, or it could have a bad connection to it or the wires running to it. moisture could have gotten in it, and it is working. if other outlets are protected by it, they could be the trouble,or something plugged into them. have an electrician look at it if you don't feel comfortable replacing it yourself. be sure to turn off the power to the outlet before you work on it. good luck.

Answer 5

If you cant reset it then perhaps its needs replacing. Try again and if all else fails, replace it. Before you start any work on the electrical device, cut the power off, if you cant do this work yourself, call a trained professional Electrican.. It will be expensive but well worth it....

Answer 6

It may be tripped because it is doing its intended job and there is a short or ground. Or, it may be bad a need replacing.

Answer 7

Zane's got the right idea.

Answer 8

lots of them fail, have someone with experience with electrical work look at it

Answer 9

maybe you need to trip the breaker

Answer 10

go with Zane's answer