How to Reset a GFCI Outlet (And What to Do If It Won't Reset)

A GFCI outlet that trips is doing its job — but if it won't reset, there are 5 things to check. Step-by-step guide for resetting and diagnosing GFCI problems.

By Chris Mendenhall

6 min read

A GFCI outlet (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is the outlet with the “TEST” and “RESET” buttons in the middle — usually found in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, basements, and outdoor locations. Its job is to shut off power instantly when it detects a current imbalance, like when electricity tries to flow through water or through a person. When it trips, it’s doing its job. Resetting it is usually a single button press — but if it won’t reset, there are five specific things to check.

This guide walks through how to reset a GFCI outlet and what to do when the reset button won’t stay in.

What’s a GFCI Outlet, Anyway?

GFCI outlets detect current imbalance between the hot and neutral wires. In a normal circuit, exactly the same amount of current flows out as comes back. If a fault sends some current elsewhere (through water, through metal pipes, through a person), the imbalance triggers the GFCI in 1/40th of a second.

This is why you find them in bathrooms (water + electricity), kitchens (countertop outlets near sinks), garages (concrete floors that can conduct), and outdoor outlets (rain, sprinklers).

Step 1: Locate the Tripped GFCI

Most GFCIs have a small red or yellow indicator that shows when tripped. If your outlets in a bathroom, kitchen, or garage suddenly have no power, look for the GFCI:

  1. Find an outlet with TEST and RESET buttons.
  2. If the RESET button is “out” (sticking up further than usual), it’s tripped.
  3. Sometimes the indicator light is off; sometimes it changes color.

Important: A single GFCI outlet often protects multiple “downstream” outlets on the same circuit. The outlet in the bathroom might not have power because the GFCI in the garage tripped. Check all GFCIs in nearby locations — bathrooms, kitchens, garage, outdoor — when power suddenly goes out.

Step 2: Identify and Remove the Cause

Before resetting, figure out why it tripped:

  • Did you just plug something in? Unplug that thing. It may be faulty.
  • Was anything wet? Water near an outlet can trip the GFCI. Dry the area.
  • Is an appliance plugged in that’s used in wet conditions? Pressure washer, sump pump, outdoor cooker? Sometimes these create normal but small ground currents that GFCIs interpret as faults.
  • Is the outlet near a recent leak? Even moisture in the wall can trip a GFCI.

If you can identify the cause, fix it first. Pressing RESET on a tripped GFCI with an active fault just trips it again.

Step 3: Reset the GFCI

  1. Press the RESET button firmly. You should feel and hear a small click.
  2. The button should now stay in (not stick out).
  3. Test the outlet by plugging in a lamp or testing with a voltage tester.

If it resets and stays in, you’re done. If not, see Step 4.

Step 4: When the GFCI Won’t Reset

If the RESET button won’t stay in (it pops back out immediately), there are 5 possible reasons:

Cause 1: The Breaker Is Off

A GFCI can’t be reset if the underlying circuit breaker is off. Walk to the breaker panel and confirm the breaker is on. If it’s tripped, see our article on tripped breakers.

Cause 2: An Active Ground Fault

Something on the circuit is currently creating a ground fault. Try this:

  1. Unplug everything from outlets on the GFCI’s circuit (the GFCI itself and any downstream outlets it protects).
  2. Press RESET.
  3. If it now resets and stays in, the problem was one of the things you unplugged. Plug them back one at a time to find the culprit.

Cause 3: Moisture in the Outlet

A wet GFCI can’t reset. Look for visible water. If the outlet is outdoors or in a damp area:

  1. Turn off the breaker.
  2. Remove the cover and check for moisture inside.
  3. Let everything fully dry — overnight if needed.
  4. Restore power and try resetting.

Cause 4: The GFCI Is Wired Wrong

If the GFCI was recently installed or replaced, it may be wired backward. GFCIs have “LINE” terminals (where household power comes in) and “LOAD” terminals (where power goes to downstream outlets). Swap them and the GFCI won’t function correctly.

This is electrician territory unless you’re confident with wiring. The fix is to swap the line and load wires in the back of the outlet.

Cause 5: The GFCI Has Failed

GFCIs have a typical lifespan of 10–15 years. After that, the internal mechanism wears out and they may refuse to reset or trip randomly. If your GFCI is old, it’s worth replacing — a new one is $15.

Step 5: Test the GFCI Regularly

GFCIs should be tested monthly. Here’s how:

  1. Plug a lamp or radio into the outlet — confirm it’s on.
  2. Press the TEST button. The outlet should immediately cut power, and the lamp goes off.
  3. Press the RESET button. The lamp comes back on.

If pressing TEST doesn’t trip the outlet, the GFCI is faulty — replace it.

If pressing TEST trips it but RESET doesn’t bring it back, see Step 4.

When to Replace a GFCI Outlet

You should replace a GFCI outlet when:

  • It won’t reset and you’ve ruled out external causes
  • TEST button doesn’t trip it
  • It’s discolored or shows scorch marks
  • It’s more than 10–15 years old (preventive)
  • It’s loose in the wall
  • It’s been tripped by a major event (lightning, surge, etc.)

Replacement is a 20-minute job for a confident DIYer. Turn off the breaker, confirm with a voltage tester, remove the old outlet, wire the new one (LINE for incoming, LOAD for downstream), and reinstall. If unsure about wiring, hire an electrician.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Repeatedly pressing RESET on a GFCI that won’t stay in. It’s telling you something is wrong. Find the cause, don’t force it.

Ignoring a frequently tripping GFCI. A GFCI that trips every few days has a real fault somewhere on the circuit. Have it investigated.

Bypassing a tripping GFCI. Replacing a GFCI with a regular outlet because “it keeps tripping” is dangerous and possibly illegal where GFCIs are code-required.

Not testing monthly. A GFCI that doesn’t work and you don’t know about is no GFCI at all. Test regularly.

Forgetting that one GFCI protects many outlets. Check the GFCI in another room when an outlet seems dead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my GFCI trip when I plug in my Christmas lights? Outdoor lights, especially older or wet ones, can create small ground currents that GFCIs detect. Try newer lights, or check if rain has affected the strings.

My GFCI trips during thunderstorms. Normal? Yes — lightning-induced surges can trip GFCIs (and other breakers). Reset after the storm.

Can I daisy-chain GFCIs? Yes — a GFCI on its LOAD terminals protects all downstream outlets. You only need one GFCI per circuit at the beginning of the run.

Why are some new homes using GFCI breakers instead of outlets? GFCI breakers protect an entire circuit from the panel. This eliminates the need for individual GFCI outlets. Either approach is code-compliant.

Does my outdoor outlet need to be GFCI? Yes — any outdoor outlet has required GFCI protection under modern code (and most older codes too).

A GFCI That Reliably Protects

A GFCI outlet is one of those quiet safety features that saves lives. When yours trips, it’s working. When it won’t reset, it’s telling you to investigate. Most resets are a single button press; for the rare cases that won’t reset, work through the five causes systematically. And test all your GFCIs monthly — a $15 outlet that you replace every decade is the cheapest insurance against electrical accidents in your home.