Why isn’t my GFCI outlet working?
Here’s the top 5 reasons your GFI may not be working:
Ground fault occurrence - Ground faults occur when the hot wire or live wire comes into contact with the ground wire or the grounded area of an appliance. Usually, GFCIs function by detecting when the current is flowing along an unintended path (e.g., through water or a person).
The instant the GFCI detects there is even the slightest of current leakage as low as 0.005 amps, it trips right away.
Moisture in the receptacle box - Obviously this is more of an issue in outdoor GFCI outlets. This is much more common with older GFCI’s that weren’t rated specifically for outdoor use. This is a simple repair of swapping out the older GFCI with a new weather proof device and ensuring the box cover seals properly.
Overloaded Circuit - Circuit overload occurs when more amperage flows through an electric wire or circuit than it can handle. This may happen if you connect malfunctioning or defective appliances. Loose, corroded wires or connections may also be to blame. Once the GFCI outlet senses an overload, it trips or "breaks" the circuit.
Electrical Fault - If your GFCI outlet trips consistently, it could be an electric fault resulting from faulty structural wiring. An electrical outlet connected to the same circuit could also be the source of the problem, especially if it was not part of the original wiring of your home. In the case of an electrical fault, you will need a professional electrician to fix the problem.
Faulty GFCI Outlet - If you've tried all else and the GFCI outlet reset doesn't solve the problem, that means the outlet itself is defective. GFCI outlets have highly responsive internal circuitry to detect whenever there's a flaw in the electric system. With time, the sensitive circuitry wears out, rendering the outlet dysfunctional. In this case, the outlet will need replacing and should be done by a qualified electrician.
