How to Replace a Duplex Electrical Wall Outlet Box

Shut down all power to the room by flipping the breaker at the household breaker box.

Kneel down next to the duplex outlet and look for a center screw in the cover, which holds it to the outlet. Remove the screw with a screwdriver turned counterclockwise. Pull the cover off and set it and the screw aside.

Locate a screw at the top of the duplex outlet that attaches to the rear wall box. Turn this screw counterclockwise with the screwdriver to remove it as well. Then repeat the process to remove the screw at the bottom of the outlet.

Pull the duplex outlet gently out of the wall to expose the wiring. Untwist the ends of the black and white wires from the screws on the side of the outlet. Pull the duplex outlet free from the wall and set it aside.

Look at the remaining wall box and remove the two screws that hold it in place. One screw is at the top of the box and the other at the bottom. Pull the box out from the wall gently since it is still attached to the wires.

Peer inside the wall box and locate the lower screw with a copper wire around it. Loosen the screw and pull the wire free. Locate the screws at the top inside of the box that secure the wall wires and loosen them. Pull the wires out of the back of the wall box and set the wall box aside.

Thread the wires through the top hole in the back of a new wall box by at least 2 inches. Tighten the screws at the top inside of the box to secure the wires in place. Wrap the end of the copper wire around the lower screw and tighten it. Push the wall box into the wall hole and insert the top and bottom center screws to hold it in place.

Connect the wall wires to the screws on the duplex outlet by wrapping the wire ends around the screws then tightening the screws. Push the duplex outlet into the wall and reinsert then tighten the top and bottom screws that hold it in place.

Replace the cover and reinstall the center screw that holds it in place.

Turn the power back on for the room.