# GFCI outlet won't reset: why and what to do Updated: 2026-10-24 ยท https://pros411.com/en/guides/electricians/gfci-outlet-wont-reset ## Short answer If a GFCI outlet won't reset, unplug everything from it and from the outlets it protects. A GFCI cannot reset without power, so reset a tripped breaker first. Then press Reset firmly until it clicks. If it got wet, switch off its breaker and let it dry completely. If it still won't reset, or trips with nothing plugged in, call an electrician: the GFCI may be worn out or the wiring has a fault. > Safety first: Never touch a GFCI outlet that is wet, or while you stand on a wet floor: switch off its breaker first. Do not open the outlet, and do not replace it with a regular one. The GFCI is what protects you from a shock near water. ## How to reset a GFCI outlet that will not reset ![Cartoon GFCI outlet in a bathroom with its Reset button popping back out](https://pros411.com/img/guias/gfci-outlet-wont-reset.webp) 1. **Reset won't stay in.** You press it and nothing happens, or it pops right back out. A GFCI cuts the power on purpose when it senses a leak, so find out why. 2. **Unplug everything from it.** Unplug what is in the GFCI and in the outlets it protects. A faulty hair dryer or a wet cord will trip it again at once. 3. **Check the breaker first.** A GFCI cannot reset without power. If its breaker sits in the middle, stand on a dry floor and push it fully Off, then On. 4. **Press Reset firmly until it clicks.** Push it all the way in. If it stays, plug things back one at a time. If one makes it trip, that device is the problem. 5. **Pops out with nothing plugged in? Call.** The GFCI may be worn out, or there is a fault in the wiring. Do not open it. Leave it off and call an electrician. ## If it got wet Rain, a splash from the sink or a leak can trip a GFCI and keep it from resetting. Do not touch it. Switch off its breaker and give it time: a wet GFCI may not reset until it is dry inside. Then turn the breaker on and press Reset. If water keeps getting in, call an electrician. ## Test it once a month Press Test: the power should cut off and the Reset button should pop out. Press Reset to turn it back on. If Test does nothing, or it will not reset, the GFCI is not protecting you and needs replacing. ## What not to do - Do not hold the Reset button in or tape it down. - Do not replace a GFCI with a regular outlet: kitchens, bathrooms, garages and outdoor outlets need that protection. - Do not keep plugging in the device that trips it. ## When to call an electrician - It trips again with nothing plugged in. - Reset will not stay in, even with the breaker on. - Test does nothing when you press it. - It trips every time it rains, or every time one appliance runs. - The outlet is warm, buzzing or smells burnt. Find electricians in your city: https://pros411.com/en/electricians ## Frequently asked questions ### Why won't my GFCI outlet reset? Usually because it has no power (a tripped breaker), something plugged in has a fault, or the outlet is wet. If it is none of those, the GFCI may be worn out or the wiring has a ground fault. Call an electrician. ### How do I reset a GFCI outlet? Unplug what is plugged in, then press the Reset button firmly until it clicks and stays in. If it will not stay, check the breaker for that circuit first. ### Why does my GFCI keep tripping? Something on it is leaking current: a worn appliance, a damaged cord, moisture in an outlet down the line or a wiring fault. Unplug things one at a time to find it. If it trips with nothing plugged in, call an electrician. ### Can a GFCI outlet go bad? Yes. GFCIs wear out over time, and newer ones may refuse to reset when their protection fails. If Test does nothing or Reset will not stay in, have it replaced. ### Does one GFCI control other outlets? Often, yes. One GFCI can protect the outlets after it on the same circuit, even in another room. If several outlets are dead, find and reset the GFCI first. ### Is it safe to use an outlet after the GFCI trips? Yes, once you know why it tripped and it resets normally. If it trips again with nothing plugged in, leave it off and call an electrician.