Vent, Valve & Volt
GFCI outlet won't reset

You can fix this

Likely cause: another GFCI upstream has tripped

A tripped GFCI earlier on the circuit has cut power to this one. Reset that one first.

Why this happens

One GFCI can feed and protect other outlets further down the circuit. Family Handyman points out that a tripped GFCI in a different room is easy to miss. Until the upstream one is reset, the outlet you are standing at has no power and its button will not stay in.

How to fix it

  1. With dry hands, press RESET on the upstream GFCI until it clicks and stays in.
  2. Then press RESET on the GFCI you started with.
  3. Test both with a lamp you know works.
  4. Press TEST, then RESET, on each GFCI once a month. CPSC, ESFI and Leviton all recommend a monthly test.

When to stop. If the upstream GFCI will not reset either, work through this guide again starting at that outlet.

If this does not fix it, tell the licensed electrician

  • Where both GFCIs are and which one tripped.
  • What was plugged in or running when it tripped, and whether the area was wet.

Build the full list: what to tell the licensed electrician.

Start this troubleshooter over

References (every fact above comes from one of these pages)
  1. Family Handyman: Troubleshooting dead outlets
  2. Family Handyman: What to do if an outlet isn't working and it's not the circuit breaker
  3. CPSC Publication 513: home electrical safety (PDF)
  4. ESFI: Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI)
  5. Leviton: GFCI instruction sheet (PDF)

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