Circuit breaker keeps tripping
A breaker that trips is doing its job: it cut the power because something on that circuit drew more current than the wire is meant to carry, or because there was a fault. The useful question is when it trips. That usually tells you whether you're running too much at once, one appliance is failing, or it's a wiring problem for an electrician. Keep a note of what was running each time it goes. After two or three trips, a pattern usually shows up on its own.
When it trips tells you why
Each breaker protects one circuit, a run of wire that feeds a group of outlets and lights, often in more than one room. Plug a space heater and a hair dryer into the same circuit and together they can pull more than the breaker allows. That's an overload, and it's the most common reason a breaker trips.
A short circuit or ground fault is different. It trips the breaker instantly, sometimes with a pop or a spark, and it means something is damaged: a cord, an appliance, or the wiring. Resetting over and over won't fix that, and it isn't safe to keep trying.
What trips a breaker
A heater, hair dryer or microwave plus everything else can pull more than the circuit is rated for. It usually trips after a few seconds or minutes.
A damaged cord, motor or heating element can trip the breaker as soon as it's switched on.
A pinched cord, a loose wire or water in an outlet box trips it instantly, sometimes with a pop.
Breakers can wear out and trip below their rating. An electrician can test and replace one.
| When it trips | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A few minutes after a heater or hair dryer goes on | Overload | Move one appliance to another circuit. |
| The instant one appliance is switched on | Faulty appliance or cord | Stop using it; test it on another circuit or have it repaired. |
| Immediately, with everything unplugged | Short or fault in the wiring | Leave it off. Call an electrician. |
| At random, with a normal load | Worn breaker or loose connection | Call an electrician. |
| After rain, on an outdoor or bathroom circuit | Moisture on a circuit | Let it dry; check covers and cords. |
Find what's tripping it
- Unplug what's on the circuitTurn off or unplug the lights and appliances in the area that lost power. Anything left on can trip the breaker again the moment power comes back.
- Reset the breakerFind the handle that sits in the middle or out of line with the others. Push it firmly to OFF first, then back to ON. It won't reset straight from the middle.
- Plug things back in one at a timeStart with lights and small things, and wait a minute between each. If it trips when one particular appliance goes back on, that appliance may be the problem.
- Add up the loadSpace heaters, hair dryers, microwaves, toasters and window AC units draw a lot. Two of them on one circuit is a common trip. Move one to an outlet on a different circuit.
- Label the circuitNote which outlets and lights went dead, and write it next to the breaker. Next time you'll know what's on it, and so will an electrician.
Watch it done
- The breaker stays on with everything plugged back in
- High-draw appliances are on different circuits
- The circuit is labeled next to the breaker
Trips with everything unplugged? Leave it off and call an electrician.
If it trips with nothing plugged in
If it trips right away with everything unplugged, the problem is in the wiring, an outlet or the breaker itself. Leave it off and call an electrician.
If it only trips when one appliance runs, try that appliance on a different circuit. If it trips there too, the appliance needs repair. If it doesn't, the first circuit is probably just overloaded.
If the breaker has a TEST button, it's a GFCI or AFCI breaker. Moisture, a damaged cord or certain appliances can trip those; our GFCI guide explains how they work.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): An electrician's service call to diagnose tripping usually runs $100–$250. Replacing a standard breaker typically costs $150–$300; adding a new circuit costs more.
Find an electrician near you