GFCI Outlet Keeps Tripping: Causes and What to Check
When a GFCI outlet keeps tripping, it is detecting a possible ground fault, which is electricity leaking along a path it should not take. That is a safety feature, so the goal is to find what is causing it, not to bypass it.
What a GFCI does
A GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) compares the current going out and coming back. If they differ by a very small amount, it cuts power within a fraction of a second to reduce the risk of shock. GFCIs are common in kitchens, bathrooms, garages and outdoor outlets.
Common reasons a GFCI keeps tripping
Moisture
Water in an outdoor outlet, a damp bathroom or a leaking box is a frequent cause. If the outlet trips after rain, moisture is the likely reason.
A faulty appliance or cord
Unplug everything on the circuit, reset the GFCI, and plug devices back in one at a time. If it trips when one device is connected, that device is the likely cause.
A worn-out GFCI
GFCIs wear out. If it will not reset, trips with nothing plugged in, or fails the TEST button check, it may need replacement by a qualified person.
Wiring faults
Damaged wiring or a neutral wire problem downstream can cause nuisance tripping. This needs a licensed electrician.
Safe checks
Unplug all devices from the GFCI and everything on its circuit.
Press RESET firmly. If it stays reset, plug in devices one at a time.
Press TEST. The outlet should cut power. Press RESET to restore it.
If it trips with nothing plugged in, or will not reset, stop and call an electrician.
What not to do
Do not replace a GFCI with a standard outlet to stop the tripping. That removes shock protection.
Do not tape the buttons or bypass the device.
If you smell burning or see scorching, treat it as described in our guide on a burning smell from an electrical outlet.
A GFCI can also be the reason another outlet is dead. See outlet stopped working but breaker not tripped. If the breaker itself keeps tripping, read why a circuit breaker keeps tripping. Odd flicker too? See flickering lights in a house.
Next step
A WireWise report weighs your description and photos and explains the probable cause, urgency and what a repair usually involves, so you can talk to an electrician with confidence.
Not sure what is going on with your electrical system? Submit your problem to WireWise and get a written Basic Electrical Diagnostic Report for $29, with probable causes, cost ranges and next steps. It is a first step that helps you know what to ask a licensed electrician. It does not replace an in-person inspection.
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