Short answer
If a breaker won't reset, unplug everything on that circuit and turn off its lights. Then push the handle firmly all the way to OFF until it clicks, and only then to ON: a tripped breaker resets from OFF. If it holds, plug things back in one at a time. If it trips with nothing plugged in, feels hot or buzzes, leave it off and call an electrician.
Safety first
Stand on a dry floor, use dry hands and touch only the breaker handle. Never take off the panel cover, and never hold or tape a breaker in the ON position. If the panel is hot, buzzing or smells burnt, do not touch it: call an electrician, and 911 if there is smoke.
How to reset a breaker that will not stay on
1It snaps back when you push it to ON
A tripped breaker sits in the middle. Pushing it straight to ON does not work: it has to be reset from OFF first.
Read all the steps
- It snaps back when you push it to ON. A tripped breaker sits in the middle. Pushing it straight to ON does not work: it has to be reset from OFF first.
- Unplug everything on that circuit. Unplug what is in the dark rooms and turn off their lights. A heater or a microwave left on can trip it again at once.
- Push it firmly to OFF, then to ON. Standing on a dry floor, push the handle all the way to OFF until it clicks. Then push it to ON.
- Plug things back in one at a time. Wait a minute between each one. If it trips when one goes in, that appliance, or too much on one circuit, is the problem.
- Trips with nothing plugged in? Call. There may be a short in the wiring or a worn breaker. Leave it off, do not open the panel, and call an electrician.
- Still not fixed? Call an electrician Especially if: it trips with nothing plugged in and the lights off.
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Why a breaker will not reset
- It was not pushed fully to OFF first. Most breakers need that click before they reset.
- Something on the circuit is still on: a space heater, a hair dryer, a microwave or a window AC.
- An appliance has a fault and trips the breaker the moment it gets power.
- A short circuit in the wiring, an outlet or a light fixture.
- The breaker is worn out. Old breakers can trip with a normal load, or not reset at all.
What not to do
- Do not hold the breaker in the ON position or tape it there.
- Do not swap it for a bigger breaker. Its size matches the wires; a bigger one lets them overheat.
- Do not take off the panel cover to look for the problem.
- Do not keep resetting it over and over.
When to call an electrician
- It trips with nothing plugged in and the lights off.
- It will not reset even after you push it fully to OFF first.
- The breaker or the panel feels hot, buzzes or smells burnt.
- It trips every time one appliance runs, and that appliance works fine on another circuit.
- You see scorch marks on an outlet or switch on that circuit.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my breaker reset?
Most often it was not pushed fully to OFF first, or something on the circuit is still on. If it trips with everything unplugged, there may be a short or a worn breaker: call an electrician.
How do I reset a breaker that keeps tripping?
Unplug everything on the circuit, push the breaker firmly to OFF until it clicks, then to ON. Plug things back in one at a time to find the one that trips it.
Can a breaker go bad?
Yes. Breakers wear out, especially after tripping many times. A worn breaker may trip with a normal load or not reset at all, and an electrician should replace it.
Why does my breaker trip right away with nothing plugged in?
That usually means a short circuit or a ground fault in the wiring, an outlet or a fixture. Leave it off and call an electrician.
Is it dangerous if a breaker won't reset?
The breaker is doing its job by cutting the power. It gets dangerous if you force it or swap it for a bigger one. Leave it off until an electrician finds the cause.
Can I replace a breaker myself?
It means taking off the panel cover and working next to live parts, so no. An electrician can test the circuit and replace the breaker safely.