If the outlets in part of one room of your home have stopped working, then this is an issue any homeowner can usually troubleshoot and fix using just a few simple tools.
To do so, you need each of the following tools and supplies:
- an outlet receptacle tester
- a screwdriver
- a pair of wire cutters
- a replacement outlet
Once you have your supplies, then follow these steps to solve the problem.
Step 1: Understand How Outlet Circuits Work and Test Each Receptacle
Before you turn off the power and remove any outlets, first you need a clear understanding of why you have a lack of current in one or more outlets. This is important, because you may have multiple outlets that aren't working, but only one is actually causing the problem. The outlets in a room all work together in a chain. When one link in the chain breaks, then none of the outlets downstream will work. Find the broken link, and if you can replace it, then all of the other outlets will magically start working again.
To find the failed outlet, plug in an outlet receptacle tester into the outlet in the room that is located nearest to the power panel. Work your way around the room until you find the first outlet that isn't working that's closest to the panel. This first outlet is most likely causing the problem.
Step 2: Turn Off the Power Breaker
Once you know what outlet is bad, plug the tester into one of the working outlets next to it and then turn off the power breaker. Make sure the tester registers off before removing the failed outlet.
Step 3: Remove the Failed Outlet
Using the screwdriver, remove the failed outlet. As you pull it out of the wall, you will likely notice it looks burned. This is the tell-tale sign that it is the root cause of the entire electrical problem. Remove the wires from each side of the outlet by cutting them away as close to the outlet as possible.
Step 4: Strip the Wires and Install the New Outlet
Each outlet has four wires:
- Two black (hot) wires
- Two white (neutral) wires
- A bare copper ground
To install the new outlet, strip back each of the black and white wires and separate them into groups based on the side of the box they are coming in through.
Attach the black wires on the left side and the white on the right. Keep the pairs together on the upper and lower outlet. Attach the bare ground wire to the central screw. Wrap the wires around the screws clockwise and tighten them in place using your screwdriver.
Step 5: Check for Power Restoration
The last step in fixing your failed outlet is to turn back on the power. Once you do so, then all of the outlets in the room should work. If for some reason this didn't solve the problem, then it's time to call out a professional residential electrician for assistance.
When we purchased our first home, we realized that there was a problem with some of the electrical work. Some of the lights flickered when we turned them on, and others really seemed to have issues if they were left on long term. I thought the issues was the light bulbs themselves at first, so I replaced several of them. However, after making those changes, it seemed like things were still having trouble. I began going through and thinking carefully about how to identify and resolve the challenges, and it occurred to me that working with an electrician could be helpful. I turned to the professional for help, and it was a good thing I did. Read more about electricians on this blog.