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Power and outlets

Reset a breaker

Move a tripped breaker fully off and then on, with the panel cover left in place.

5–10 minutesCareful6 steps

Tools you need

  • Flashlight
  • Dry hands
  • A dry floor to stand on
Reset a breaker
Photo: Kevin Kiefuik · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Steps

  1. Unplug or switch off the heater, tool, or lamp that went dead, if you know which one it was.

  2. Stand on a dry floor. Open only the door of the breaker panel. Leave every screw and the metal cover where they are.

  3. Find the switch that rests in the middle or fully off while the others point on. Read its label.

  4. Push that switch firmly to off, then firmly to on, so it lines up with the other on breakers.

  5. Try the room once. If that same breaker trips again, leave it off and unplug the device.

  6. If no breaker looks tripped, check the Test and Reset buttons on outlets in the kitchen, bathroom, garage, and outside before you assume the panel is the problem.

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Steps written by Sureno. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

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