Why Is My Bathroom Electrical Outlet Not Working?

Tripped GFCI

• A GFCI protects people by cutting off the power to a protected outlet almost instantaneously when the electricity flowing to the outlet grounds or shorts out, as might happen if an appliance fell into a full sink or bathtub. Because the switch is so sensitive, it may occasionally trip unnecessarily. When this happens, pressing the small "reset" button on the outlet should restore power to the outlet. Test the outlet for proper function by pressing the "test" button to purposely trip the switch and resetting it again afterward.

Hidden GFCI Outlets

• Even if a nonworking outlet does not have the two buttons that identify a GFCI outlet, it may still be protected by a separate GFCI receptacle nearby. Multiple outlets in a bathroom -- or even multiple bathrooms in a house -- may be tied to a single GFCI. If a normal-looking outlet stops working suddenly, look for other GFCI outlets around the area and see if they need to be reset. Test and reset any suspect outlets and see if that restores power to the problem outlet.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

• If resetting the GFCI does not restore power to a breaker, the problem may be further upstream in the system. Check the breaker panel for a tripped circuit breaker, which cuts off all power to a portion of the home. To reset a tripped breaker, push it firmly into the "off" position before snapping it back into the "on" position. Some GFCI outlets can't be reset if they aren't receiving power, so check and reset them if necessary once the circuit breaker is restored.

Other Problems

• If a GFCI outlet or circuit breaker trips repeatedly, the fault may lie in an appliance connected to the outlet or to a nearby outlet. Remove all appliances and reset the system. If the power stays on, test appliances individually to find the one causing the problem and repair or replace it. If the circuit still trips repeatedly, it's time to call a professional electrician to troubleshoot the wiring. The GFCI may need to be replaced, or there may be a short elsewhere.