Volt: electrical troubleshooters
Dead outlets, breakers that trip, flickering lights, warm switches and chirping alarms. Pick the symptom and work through the handful of checks a homeowner can do safely. Everything past that goes to a licensed electrician, and the results say exactly when.
No match here. Try fewer words, or search all three systems.
- Outlet not working, and you're not sure why
- GFCI outlet won't reset
- Breaker keeps tripping or won't reset
- Lights flickering: one fixture or the whole house?
- Light switch, dimmer or outlet warm to the touch
- Half the house lost power
- Outlet sparks or smells like burning
- Buzzing or humming from an outlet, switch or panel
- Ceiling fan not working, or the light works but the fan won't spin
- Smoke detector chirping or beeping
What this section will and won't tell you to do
The homeowner-safe list is short on purpose: reset a breaker or a GFCI, unplug things, use a plug-in or non-contact tester, swap a bulb. Nothing here opens a panel or a device.
Leave or call right away if you notice
- Smoke or flames from an outlet, switch, panel, fixture or appliance911
- A burning or hot-plastic smell from an outlet, switch or fixtureLicensed electrician now; 911 if there is smoke
- Sparks, popping, crackling, or scorch marks at an outlet or switchLicensed electrician now, with the breaker off
- A hot, buzzing or scorched panel or breaker, or a breaker that trips the instant you reset itLicensed electrician now
When to call an electrician What to tell the licensed electrician