Outdoor outlet not working
An outdoor outlet not working is often not broken at all. Outdoor outlets are GFCI-protected, and the reset button that controls yours may be on the outlet itself or on a different GFCI in the garage, a bathroom or the basement. Rain is the other common culprit. Most of the time, finding the right reset button and letting things dry is all it takes. When an outdoor outlet goes dead, the fix is usually a reset button somewhere else in the house.
How outdoor outlets are protected
Outdoor outlets must have ground-fault protection, which shuts off power fast if current leaks somewhere it shouldn't, like through water or a person. That protection can come from the outlet itself or from a outlet or breaker further up the circuit.
Moisture is the usual trigger outside. Rain, sprinklers or condensation can get into the outlet or a plugged-in cord and trip the GFCI. Newer outdoor outlets are also weather-resistant (marked WR) and tamper-resistant (TR), and they need a cover that keeps rain out even with something plugged in.
Why an outdoor outlet goes dead
Often in the garage or a bathroom.
Rain or sprinklers tripped the GFCI.
The whole circuit is off.
Outdoor GFCIs age faster in weather.
| You notice | Likely cause | Start at |
|---|---|---|
| Only one thing won't work | Bad cord or device | Step 1 |
| Outlet has buttons | Tripped GFCI | Step 2 |
| No buttons on the outlet | GFCI upstream or breaker | Step 3 |
| Died after rain | Moisture | Steps 4 and 5 |
| Won't reset even when dry | Worn-out GFCI | Step 6 |
Let's fix it
- Test with something you know worksPlug in a lamp or charger that works indoors. A dead extension cord, lights with a bad fuse or a tool with a tripped switch can make a good outlet look dead.
- Press reset on the outdoor outletIf the outdoor outlet has test and reset buttons, press reset firmly until it clicks. If it won't stay in, or clicks and trips right away, don't keep pressing. Something is still wet or faulty; go to step 4.
- Look for a GFCI somewhere elseIf the outdoor outlet has no buttons, or reset didn't help, another GFCI upstream may control it. Check every GFCI in the garage, bathrooms, basement, kitchen and on other exterior walls, pressing reset on each. Garage GFCIs are the most common hiding spot, sometimes behind a freezer or shelves. Also check your panel for a tripped breaker or a GFCI breaker with its own test button.
- Let it dryIf it's been raining or the sprinklers hit it, unplug everything from the outlet and leave it off for a day or two to dry, then try the reset again. Don't use a hair dryer on an outdoor outlet while it could be live. If it trips every time it rains, water is getting in.
- Check the cover and cordsLook at the cover. Outdoor outlets in wet spots should have a bubble-style "in-use" cover that stays closed over a plugged-in cord, and current code calls for one on all of them. Check that the gasket is intact, the cover closes, and water isn't pooling inside. Also look for a cracked cover, a wet extension cord connection lying on the ground, or cords plugged in outside that aren't rated for outdoor use.
- Replace a worn-out outlet, or call an electricianOutdoor GFCIs wear out faster than indoor ones. If it won't reset after drying and there's power at the panel, the outlet may need replacing with a weather-resistant GFCI. Only do this if you're comfortable with wiring: turn off the breaker, confirm the power is off with a tester, and connect the line and load wires to the right terminals. Otherwise, call an electrician.
Watch it done
- A lamp or charger works when plugged in
- The GFCI resets and stays set
- It still works after the next rain
Trips every time it rains? Water is getting in; replace the cover or call an electrician.
If it still won't work
If none of the GFCIs you can find will reset and the breaker is on, there may be a loose connection in another outlet on the same circuit. That's a job for an electrician.
If the outlet trips only with one device plugged in, the problem is probably the device or its cord. Try it on a different GFCI outlet to confirm.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): An electrician's service call usually runs $100–$250. Replacing an outdoor GFCI outlet with a weather-resistant one and an in-use cover typically costs $150–$350.
Find an electrician near youSomething else going on?
Outdoor outlet questions
Why is my outdoor outlet not working?
Usually a tripped GFCI, which may be on another outlet in the garage or a bathroom, or moisture from rain.
Where is the reset button for my outdoor outlet?
On the outlet itself, or on a GFCI outlet elsewhere on the circuit, often in the garage or a bathroom.
Why does my outdoor outlet trip when it rains?
Water is getting into the outlet or a plugged-in cord. Check the cover and gasket.
Do outdoor outlets need special covers?
Yes. Outlets in wet locations should have a weatherproof in-use cover that stays closed even with a cord plugged in.
Why does my patio outlet have no power?
Often a GFCI has tripped, and its reset button may be on another outlet in the garage, a bathroom or the basement. Rain is the other common cause.