Vent, Valve & Volt
Volt: Electrical

GFCI outlet won't reset

A GFCI that will not reset is usually getting no power, still sensing a fault from something plugged in, or has failed. Leviton calls this reset lockout. These questions find which one you have.

Also searched as: gfci won't reset, gfci won't reset or test, gfci won't reset after storm, gfci won't reset breaker not tripped.

Before you start. Never touch an outlet, plug or breaker with wet hands or while standing on a wet floor. If the GFCI is warm, scorched, cracked or smells like burning, turn its breaker off and call a licensed electrician.
A finger pressing the reset button on a GFCI bathroom outlet
A GFCI outlet with test and reset buttons between its two receptacles, and a line showing that one GFCI can protect ordinary outlets downstream in other rooms. RESETTEST GFCI bathroom garage ... one GFCI can protect the plain outlets after it
A GFCI outlet and where upstream GFCIs hide
Every question and answer on this page, in order

Question 1: Does the GFCI look or smell damaged?

Look for a discolored, cracked or warped face, scorch marks, plugs that fall out, warmth, or a burning smell.

Question 2: At the panel, is every breaker fully ON?

Open only the hinged panel door. A tripped breaker usually sits in the middle or out of line with the others.

Question 3: Is another GFCI on the same run tripped?

Check bathrooms, the kitchen, the garage, the basement and outdoor outlets. If a GFCI upstream has tripped, this one has no power and cannot reset.

Question 4: Could the outlet, or anything plugged into it, have gotten wet?

Outdoor outlets after rain, and bathroom or garage outlets after cleaning or a leak, are the usual suspects.

Question 5: Unplug everything from this GFCI and the outlets near it, then press RESET firmly. What happens?

Use dry hands. A good reset clicks and the button stays in.

Possible results

Need the words for the phone call? Build a what-to-tell-the-electrician checklist, or read when to call an electrician.