This one needs a licensed pro
Stop: likely a short or ground fault
A breaker that trips the instant you reset it, with nothing plugged in, or will not stay on, is reacting to a fault in the wiring. Leave it off and call a licensed electrician.
Why this happens
Family Handyman says a breaker that trips immediately with everything unplugged is likely a short. Bob Vila lists short circuits, ground faults and a worn breaker as causes, and advises hiring an electrician if one reset does not solve it.
What to do right now
- Do not keep resetting it. Leave the breaker OFF.
- Leave everything on that circuit unplugged.
- Note which outlets, lights and rooms are dead.
- Call a licensed electrician.
What to tell the licensed electrician
- It trips immediately on reset with everything on the circuit unplugged, or will not stay ON.
- Which breaker it is, what area it feeds, and whether it has a TEST button or light.
- Any recent work, new fixtures, nails or screws driven into walls, or water on that circuit.
- Any smell, heat or buzzing you noticed.
Build the full list: what to tell the licensed electrician.
Start this troubleshooter over
References (every fact above comes from one of these pages)
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