Why do power outlets suddenly stop working?

Question

After I finished using my microwave, the power outlet suddenly broke down. Another outlet in the same kitchen also broke down even though it was not in use.

Answer 1

Check the circuit breaker or fuse to see if that is the problem. If not, the issue may be with the outlet. A wire may have come loose and which can affect outlets that are down stream so to speak. Turn the power off, and remove the outlet. Check that all wires are making good connection. Also check the other outlet for the same.

Answer 2

You popped a breaker. In the kitchen, probably a Ground Fault Isolator built into an outlet. Typical kitchen installation has one such outlet offering isolation services to the others in the kitchen. Its the outlet with a couple of buttons on it. One resets it.

However, the breaker is trying to send you a message: "Something is wrong with the electrical wiring of your microwave and I am trying to save your life, so please pay attention."

One possible reason for good electrical devices to trip a GFI outlet is that too many outlets on too much wire have been slaved to the one doing the protection. The circuit is sensitive (meant to be), and it is not too forgiving about long wires and lotsa slaved outlets. Our house had a slaved outlet from the kitchen all the way out on the patio. Had to re-wire the whole thing.

But, the message might be true, so be careful.

Answer 3

If this outlet and another outlet both quit at the same time and you are sure no breaker is knocked and neither outlet is a gfi outlet. I would suggest that you turn your main power off take both outlets out of their boxes and check to see if the wires connected to them is ok...make sure the outlets are not touching anything and restore your power take a voltage meter and check to see if either one has any power coming to it...if not then go to next outlet in kitchen check for power there...turn main power off and pull this outlet out and make sure wires are all in good shape and still connected...most all plugins in a kitchen except for the refrigerator are all on one circuit unless your home is less than 20 years old then all receptacles along the counter have to be gfi and have their own breaker...all other outlets except refrigerator should be on same circuit...this problem should be very easily solved by finding the last good outlet close to the one that quit and check all electrical connections there...usually it is a loose wire nut or the outlet is wired in such a way that the next outlet picks up it power off of the bottom set of screws on the last good outlet..this has been outlawed and if it is this way i would recommend you update your electrical outlets in your house and rewire them to the new laws..you wont have to run any new wire just take wires off of the outlets and and make some 8 inch lengths of white, black and green wires to reconnect everything with...then tie all the black wires together all the white wires together and hook the green wire to your bare wires..this would make your outlets much safer if they are not already wired in this fashion..

Answer 4

Sounds like it kicked off at the breaker box due to overload. Go to breaker box and look for switches that are not set right. Turn it completely in off position then back to on. Also check your outlets for reset buttons. If they have them hit the push the reset back in and they should work

Answer 5

You probably tripped a circuit breaker or blew a fuse. Microwaves draw a fair amount of power; if any other power-hungry appliance was running at the time (toaster oven, electric skillet, etc.), a tripped breaker is quite likely.

Answer 6

Sounds like it tripped a breaker or blew a fuse. Find the breaker box and reset the breaker.

Answer 7

fuse,or bad wiring