Short answer
If a breaker keeps tripping, unplug the big things on that circuit (space heater, microwave, hair dryer). At the panel, find the breaker sitting in the middle, push it firmly to "Off" and then to "On". If it stays on, plug things back one at a time to find the culprit. If it trips right away with nothing plugged in, feels hot, buzzes or smells burnt, leave it off and call an electrician.
Safety first
If you smell burning, see scorch marks or smoke, or the panel is hot or buzzing, do not touch it: leave it off, get out if there is smoke, and call 911. Touch the panel only with dry hands, standing on a dry floor. Do not hold a breaker in the "On" position, tape it, or replace it with a bigger one.
How to reset a tripped breaker safely
1Part of the house went dark
A breaker trips to protect the wiring, usually when too many big things run on one circuit at the same time.
Read all the steps
- Part of the house went dark. A breaker trips to protect the wiring, usually when too many big things run on one circuit at the same time.
- Unplug the big things on that circuit. Space heaters, microwaves and hair dryers pull the most power. Unplug them or switch them off before you go to the panel.
- Push the tripped breaker fully Off, then On. It is the one stuck in the middle. With dry hands, standing on a dry floor, push it firmly to "Off" and then back to "On".
- Plug things back in one at a time. Wait a minute between each one. If the breaker trips when one goes back in, that is the culprit: use it on another circuit or have it checked.
- Trips again with nothing on? Stop and call. If it trips right away, feels hot, buzzes or smells burnt, leave it off. Do not take off the panel cover: call an electrician.
- Still not fixed? Call an electrician Especially if: it trips again right away with nothing plugged in.
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The three usual reasons
- Overload: too much on one circuit at the same time (a space heater plus a microwave, for example). It trips after a while, not instantly. Move something to another circuit.
- Short circuit: a hot wire touching another wire or metal, often in a damaged cord, an appliance or a loose connection. It trips instantly. Leave it off and call.
- Ground fault: current leaking where it should not, often near water (kitchen, bathroom, outdoor outlets). GFCI outlets and GFCI or AFCI breakers trip for this on purpose.
GFCI outlets: check these first
If a bathroom, kitchen, garage or outdoor outlet is dead, look for an outlet with "Test" and "Reset" buttons on the same wall or in a nearby room. Press "Reset" firmly. If it will not reset, or it trips every time it rains, call an electrician.
When to call an electrician
- It trips again right away with nothing plugged in.
- The breaker or panel is hot, buzzes or smells burnt.
- Outlets or switches are warm, discolored or spark.
- It trips every time you use one appliance that works fine elsewhere.
- Your home has an old panel or you are adding a big appliance (EV charger, AC, oven).
Frequently asked questions
Is it dangerous if a breaker keeps tripping?
It can be. The breaker is doing its job, but repeated trips mean something is wrong: an overloaded circuit, a short or a ground fault. Find the cause instead of resetting it over and over.
How do I know which breaker tripped?
Look for the one that is not lined up with the others: it sits in the middle or slightly off. Some also show a small window or mark. If none looks tripped, check for a GFCI outlet with a "Reset" button.
Can I replace a breaker with a bigger one so it stops tripping?
No. The breaker size matches the wire. A bigger breaker lets the wire overheat, which can start a fire.
Why does my breaker trip with nothing plugged in?
That usually points to a short or a ground fault in the wiring, an outlet or a fixture on that circuit. Leave it off and call an electrician; resetting it again will not fix it.
Why does my breaker trip when it rains?
Water is probably getting into an outdoor outlet, a light fixture or a buried line, causing a ground fault. Leave it off and call an electrician.
How many times can I reset a breaker?
Once, to test. If it trips again with the load removed, stop and call an electrician.
Sources
Checked October 24, 2026. Requirements and recommendations change: confirm them on the source site.