GFCI won't reset
When a GFCI won't reset, the button either won't stay in or won't press at all. That's the outlet telling you something: it has no power, it's still sensing a ground fault, it was wired backward, or it's reached the end of its life. You can work through most of these in half an hour. If it trips again the moment you reset it, or you see any scorching, stop and call an electrician. A GFCI that won't reset is doing its job. Find out what it's reacting to before you replace it.
How a GFCI resets
A outlet watches the current going out and coming back. If even a small amount goes missing, which can happen through water or a person, it cuts power in a fraction of a second. It can also protect other outlets further down the same circuit.
Most GFCIs won't reset unless they have power and pass an internal self-test. So a reset button that won't latch doesn't always mean the outlet is bad. It often means the power is off somewhere else, or there's still a fault.
Why a GFCI won't reset
A tripped breaker or upstream GFCI.
A faulty device, cord or moisture.
Common after a new install.
It failed its self-test.
| You notice | Likely cause | Start at |
|---|---|---|
| Button won't press or stay in | No power | Steps 1 and 2 |
| Trips as soon as you reset | Ground fault | Step 3 |
| Near water or after rain | Moisture | Step 4 |
| Just installed | Line and load reversed | Step 5 |
| Has power, still won't reset | Worn-out GFCI | Step 6 |
Let's fix it
- Check the breakerGo to your panel and look for a tripped breaker. Flip it fully off, then back on. Many GFCIs won't reset without power, so this is the most common reason the button won't stay in.
- Look for another GFCI upstreamYour GFCI may be downstream of another GFCI outlet or a GFCI breaker. If that one is tripped, yours has no power and can't reset. Check nearby bathrooms, the kitchen, garage, basement and outdoor outlets and press reset on each.
- Unplug everythingUnplug every device from the GFCI and from any outlets it protects, then try the reset. If it holds, plug things back in one at a time. The one that trips it has a fault in the device or its cord. Hair dryers, old power tools, fridges and outdoor lights are common culprits.
- Let it dryIf the outlet is in a bathroom, near a sink, outdoors or in a damp basement, moisture may be causing a real ground fault. Leave it alone for a day with things unplugged, then try again. Clean up any leak that got it wet.
- Think about recent workIf it was just installed or replaced, the line and load wires may be swapped. Most GFCIs won't reset when wired backward, which is a safety feature. With the breaker off, the incoming power wires must go on the terminals marked LINE, not LOAD. If you're not sure how it was wired, call an electrician.
- Replace an old GFCIIf it has power, nothing is plugged in, it's dry and it still won't reset, the GFCI has likely failed its self-test. Some models flash or show a red light when they reach end of life. To replace it, turn off the breaker, confirm the power is off with a voltage tester, note which wires go to LINE and LOAD, and move them to the new outlet the same way. Test it with the test and reset buttons when you're done.
Watch it done
- The reset button stays in
- Pressing TEST trips it and RESET restores power
- The outlets it protects all work
If it still won't reset
If a brand-new GFCI won't reset either, the problem is almost certainly wiring or a fault further down the circuit, not the outlet. That's a job for an electrician.
If it resets but trips randomly with nothing unusual going on, damp wiring in an outdoor or basement outlet downstream is a frequent cause. An electrician can track it down.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): An electrician's service call usually runs $100–$250. Replacing a GFCI outlet typically costs $120–$300, and tracing a ground fault on a circuit can run $200–$500.
Find an electrician near youSomething else going on?
GFCI reset questions
Why won't my GFCI reset?
Most often it has no power, there's still a fault downstream, or the GFCI has worn out.
Can a GFCI go bad?
Yes. They wear out over time, and many won't reset once they fail their self-test.
Why does my GFCI trip immediately after reset?
There's likely a ground fault on the circuit, like a bad device or moisture. Unplug everything and try again.
Will a GFCI reset if wired wrong?
Most won't if the line and load wires are reversed. That's intentional.