If you have an electrical outlet that is not working properly, there’s no shortage of issues that could be causing the problem. From a simple tripped breaker to worn receptacles, loose connections, degraded wiring, and more, figuring out what the problem is is often half the battle. But the good news is that our team at New London Electric is here to help. 

At New London Electric, we’ve been helping homeowners all over Southern Chester County and Northern Delaware overcome electrical issues, including malfunctioning outlets, for decades. We understand just how frustrating outlet problems can be, so if you’re dealing with an outlet that is not working, our expert guide has you covered. 

What Are the Most Common Reasons an Outlet Stops Working?

An outlet can stop working for a wide variety of different reasons. A worn receptacle, a tripped circuit breaker, a GFCI outlet elsewhere in the room, or a loose electrical connection can all cut power to an outlet that otherwise looks perfectly normal.

If you have an electrical outlet that is not working, it’s always best to start by looking at the bigger picture. Is it the only outlet without power, or have other outlets and lights in your home stopped working too? Finding the answer to that simple question is a great way to figure out whether you are dealing with one faulty outlet or a wider electrical issue. 

Could a Tripped Circuit Breaker Be the Problem?

Your circuit breaker is always a great first place to check. Breakers are designed to shut off power when they detect abnormal electrical conditions, and when it trips, every outlet and fixture connected to that part of the circuit will lose power.

If you notice that one of the switches in your circuit breaker has moved out of its normal position, simply switch it back on and see if everything goes back to normal. If the outlet continues not working after this point, then the outlet itself is clearly the problem. However, if your circuit breaker trips again, it may be a wider electrical issue that needs repair.

Has a GFCI Outlet Tripped?

GFCI outlets are common in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements, outdoor spaces, and other areas around the home that may be prone to excess moisture. These outlets come equipped with an important safety feature that cuts power if they detect a ground fault, many of which often happen because of contact with water.

The problem here is that a GFCI outlet can also cut power to other outlets farther down the circuit. This means that even though the dead outlet might not have TEST and RESET buttons itself, a tripped GFCI outlet farther up the line could still be responsible for cutting the power.

For this reason, you should look for any nearby GFCI outlets and check whether one needs to be reset before you decide to contact a professional electrician. If your GFCI outlet won’t reset or keeps tripping after you reset it, it’s likely that there is a wider issue that needs professional attention. 

Can an Electrical Outlet Wear Out?

Outlets don’t last forever. Every time you insert or remove a plug, the internal contacts experience a small amount of wear. This is completely normal, but it also means that after years of regular use, the contacts inside the outlet can become too loose or the receptacle too worn to provide a dependable connection.

If you notice that anything you plug into the outlet falls out easily, power only works intermittently, or devices need to be perfectly positioned to stay powered, it’s likely that the outlet is just too worn out and needs to be replaced. 

Could Loose Wiring Cause an Electrical Outlet Not to Work?

Yes, loose wiring can interrupt the electrical connection that supplies power to the not working outlet. Unfortunately, if this is the case, it makes it a lot harder for you to diagnose the exact issue because the loose or worn wiring could be located almost anywhere along the circuit. 

The good news is that if you’ve checked everything else up to this point, you should be able to confidently conclude that wiring is the issue. However, the bad news is that because that loose wire could be anywhere behind your wall, you’ll need to call a professional electrician to fix the issue.

When Should You Call an Electrician for an Outlet That Is Not Working?

A basic breaker or GFCI reset is something that anyone can check and remedy without taking anything apart or having prior electrical experience. But if the problem involves wiring, damaged receptacles, repeated trips, or some other issue that keeps coming back, your only reasonable option is to call an electrician who can provide a more complete diagnosis.

That’s where we come in. At New London Electric, our team of certified electricians has seen it all and can quickly diagnose and fix the electrical issues causing your outlet problems. Whether the outlet itself needs to be replaced, or we need to inspect and repair wiring or connections behind your walls, you can trust our team to have your outlet up and running like new in no time. 

Contact New London Electric Today

Are you having problems with an electrical outlet that is not working the way it should? Give us a call.

Our team of local, certified electricians is always here to answer your questions and will happily tell you more about how we may be able to help with your electrical outlet issues. We even offer free estimates and will work closely with you to find the most convenient time possible to schedule your repair service. 

Don’t let your broken outlet be any more of an inconvenience than it needs to be. Contact New London Electric and make your outlet problems a thing of the past today.