Check for Power
When troubleshooting a non-working electrical outlet, the first thing you should do is check if there is power going to the outlet. You can do this by plugging in a working device such as a lamp or a phone charger into the outlet and see if it turns on. If the device does not turn on, it is a good indication that there is no power flowing to the outlet.
Reset the Circuit Breaker
If there is no power going to the outlet, the next step is to check the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker panel is usually located in the basement, garage, or utility room of your home. Open the panel and look for any tripped circuit breakers. A tripped breaker will be in the middle position, between the “on” and “off” positions. To reset the breaker, flip it to the “off” position and then back to the “on” position.
Test the Outlet with a Multimeter
If resetting the circuit breaker doesn’t solve the issue, the next step is to test the outlet with a multimeter. A multimeter is a handy tool that can measure voltage, current, and resistance in electrical circuits. To test the outlet, set the multimeter to the voltage setting and insert the black probe into the ground hole of the outlet and the red probe into the hot hole. If you get a reading of 120 volts, it means that there is power flowing to the outlet. If you don’t get any reading or a significantly lower reading, it indicates a problem with the outlet.
Replace the Outlet
If the previous steps didn’t resolve the issue, it is likely that the outlet itself is faulty and needs to be replaced. Before attempting to replace the outlet, make sure to turn off the power to the circuit by flipping the corresponding breaker in the circuit breaker panel or by turning off the main power switch. Once the power is off, unscrew the faceplate and the outlet from the electrical box. Disconnect the wires from the old outlet and connect them to the new outlet using wire nuts or terminal screws. Finally, screw the new outlet onto the electrical box and attach the faceplate.
Call a Professional Electrician
If you have tried all the previous troubleshooting steps and the outlet still doesn’t work, it is recommended to call a professional electrician. Electrical work can be dangerous and should be handled by a trained and licensed professional. An electrician will have the proper tools and expertise to diagnose and fix the problem safely.