Short answer
If the power is out in the whole house, look outside. If the neighbors are dark too, it is an outage: report it to your power company and wait. If only your house is dark, check the main breaker at the top of the panel: push it fully to OFF, then to ON. Stay far from any downed line and call 911. Main breaker on and still dark? Call the power company, then an electrician.
Safety first
Stay at least 35 feet from a downed power line and from anything it touches, like a fence or a puddle, and call 911 or the power company. Touch the panel only with dry hands on a dry floor, and never take off its cover. Use flashlights, not candles.
What to check when the whole house loses power
1The whole house went dark
Before you touch anything, look outside. Are the streetlights and the neighbors' windows dark too?
Read all the steps
- The whole house went dark. Before you touch anything, look outside. Are the streetlights and the neighbors' windows dark too?
- Neighbors dark too? Report the outage. It is a utility outage. Report it on your power company's app, website or outage line, and follow the repair on their outage map.
- Only your house? Check the main breaker. It is the big breaker at the top of the panel. Standing on a dry floor, push it fully to OFF, then back to ON.
- Power line down? Stay far away. Stay at least 35 feet from it and anything it touches, and keep kids and pets back. Call 911 or the power company from a safe spot.
- While you wait: flashlights, not candles. Keep the fridge and freezer closed and unplug TVs and computers. When the power is back, plug things in a few at a time.
- Still not fixed? Call an electrician Especially if: the neighbors have power, your main breaker is on and your house is still dark (call the power company first, then an electrician).
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While the power is out
- Keep the fridge and freezer closed. Every time you open them, the cold gets out.
- Unplug TVs, computers and other electronics so a surge does not hit them when the power comes back.
- Leave one lamp switched on so you know when the power is back.
- Use flashlights instead of candles.
- If you use a portable generator, run it outside only, far from doors and windows, and never in the garage.
If only your house is dark
Your neighbors have lights and your main breaker is on? Call your power company first. The problem may be in the service line or the meter, and those are theirs. If they say their side is fine, call an electrician to check the panel.
What not to do
- Do not go near a downed line, even if it looks dead, and do not try to move it with a stick.
- Do not take off the panel cover or touch the meter.
- Do not plug a generator into a wall outlet: it can send power back into the lines and hurt line workers.
When to call an electrician
- The neighbors have power, your main breaker is on and your house is still dark (call the power company first, then an electrician).
- The main breaker trips again as soon as you turn it on.
- A power line is down or sparking (call 911 or the power company).
- Lights flicker, dim or get too bright after the power comes back.
- You smell burning or see smoke near the panel or the meter (call 911).
Frequently asked questions
Why is my power out but my neighbors have power?
Check your main breaker first. If it is on, the problem may be your service line or meter, so call the power company. If they say their side is fine, call an electrician.
How do I report a power outage?
Use your power company's app, website or outage phone number; they are on your bill. Many utilities also have an outage map with repair times.
How do I reset the main breaker?
It is the large breaker at the top of the panel, often marked MAIN. Standing on a dry floor, push it fully to OFF and then to ON. If it trips again, leave it off and call an electrician.
How far should I stay from a downed power line?
At least 35 feet, and away from anything it touches, like a fence, a car or a puddle. Treat it as live and call 911 or the power company.
Should I unplug things during a power outage?
Yes. Unplug TVs, computers and other electronics so a surge does not hit them when the power returns. Leave one lamp on so you know when it is back.
Is it safe to use a generator during an outage?
Yes, outside only, far from doors and windows, and never plugged into a wall outlet. Inside, a generator can fill the house with carbon monoxide.