Lights Not Turning On

Reset the GFCI Outlet

Hit the reset button

If the circuit breaker hasn’t tripped, look for a GFCI.

When a light goes out or a switch doesn’t work, you should first check the main electrical panel for a tripped circuit breaker. But don’t stop there. Before you change out light bulbs and switches, see if a GFCI outlet (which may be upstream from the troubled light or outlet) has tripped. Sometimes all the bathrooms or the outside lights are powered through a single GFCI located in one bathroom or elsewhere, such as in a basement. Simply push the reset button on the GFCI and you could be back in business.

OR

Step 1: LOCATE THE ELECTRICAL SERVICE PANEL.

This is also known as an electrical service box or a panel box. They’re usually found in the basement or garage.

Step 2: LOCATE THE TRIPPED CIRCUIT BREAKER.

Here’s where the flashlight comes in handy! Find the circuit breaker that is near the Off position or not in the fully On position. The circuit break flips the switch toward the Off position, but it doesn’t move all the way off.

Some breakers will show a bit of red (on the switch) if they’re tripped.

Step 3: FLIP THE BREAKER FULLY TO THE OFF POSITION.

You must turn off the circuit breaker completely off before you turn it on again.

Step 4: FLIP THE BREAKER FULLY TO THE ON POSITION.

When the switch moves back to the On position, power should be restored. If power doesn’t come back on, try flipping it Off and On again.

If the breaker shuts off again, you have a short or some other problem that needs to be fixed before you attempt to switch it on again.