What Are the Causes of Electrical Outlets in One Room to Stop Working All of a Sudden ?

Bad Outlet

• Outlets can malfunction and stop working due to age or overuse. To test if the outlet has quit functioning and requires replacement, test the outlet with a voltage meter. The meter will register if electrical current is flowing through the outlet. If there is no current, then you will need to replace the outlet. However, if current is registering, you will need to investigate further.

Bad Breaker

• If a breaker is overloaded, it can trip and render your outlets useless. Check the breaker to see if it was tripped. Most tripped breakers have a red line in their view panel so you can identify them from among the working breakers. If the breaker is tripped, reset the breaker and check if the outlets work. If the outlets still do not function, inspect the area around the breaker for broken wires, excessive heat coming from the breaker or a burning smell. If any of these is present, turn off the power at the main and replace the breaker. You can also test the breaker with a voltmeter or clamping ammeter to check if the breaker is functioning and at the correct voltage.

Malfunctioning GFCI Outlet

• If the malfunctioning outlets are in your bathroom, garage or kitchen, check if a faulty ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet is the culprit. GFCI outlets have built-in circuit breakers that trip if the electrical current to the outlet is not at its proper voltage, an issue caused by moisture or overloading. You can test a GFCI outlet by plugging a small device into the outlet and turning it on, then pressing the reset button on the outlet. The device should turn off, and when you press the reset button, the device should turn back on. If the device does not operate properly, test the outlet for current activity and replace it if necessary.

Considerations

• If you are not comfortable troubleshooting electrical issues in your home, or are inexperienced with doing so, recruit a friend or hire an electrician to determine the cause. If you do decide to troubleshoot and make repairs yourself, make sure the current to the outlet is shut off at the breaker box. Working on a faulty outlet with the current on is dangerous and can lead to serious injury.