How to Check for GFCI and AFCI Trips
A tripped GFCI outlet is one of the most common—and most overlooked—causes of dead outlets. A single GFCI can protect an entire chain of downstream outlets, so a trip in your bathroom can kill power to your garage or outdoor outlets. AFCI breakers in your panel serve a similar protective function for arc faults. Checking both is a quick step that solves a surprising number of electrical problems.
Quick Summary
Time Required
10-20 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Tools Needed
None (optional: receptacle tester)
How to Find All GFCI Outlets in Your Home
GFCI outlets look like standard outlets but have two small buttons on the face—one labeled "Test" and one labeled "Reset." They are required by code in specific locations, but they can protect outlets far from where they are installed.
Check all bathrooms
Every bathroom should have at least one GFCI outlet, typically the one closest to the sink. In newer homes, one GFCI may protect all bathroom outlets on the same circuit. Check behind bathroom doors and inside vanity cabinets.
Check the kitchen
Kitchen countertop outlets within six feet of the sink must be GFCI-protected. Check all countertop outlets, and look behind small appliances that may be blocking the view of the buttons.
Check the garage, basement, and laundry room
These areas require GFCI protection. The GFCI outlet may be located in an inconspicuous spot—behind a workbench, inside a utility closet, or high on a wall near the ceiling. Check every outlet in these areas.
Check outdoor outlets
All outdoor outlets should be GFCI-protected. Check the front and back of the house, patio areas, and any outlets in outdoor structures. Outdoor GFCIs are especially prone to tripping due to moisture exposure.
How to Test and Reset GFCI Outlets
Every GFCI outlet should be tested monthly to ensure it is functioning correctly. Here is the proper procedure for both testing and resetting.
Resetting a Tripped GFCI
- Step 1: Look at the GFCI outlet. If the reset button is popped out, the GFCI has tripped. Some newer GFCIs also have indicator lights—a red light or no light often means the outlet is tripped or has failed.
- Step 2: Press the reset button firmly until you hear a click. The button should stay flush with the outlet face.
- Step 3: Test the outlet with a device to confirm power has been restored. Then check any downstream outlets that were dead to see if they are also restored.
- Step 4: If the reset button will not stay in or immediately pops back out, unplug all devices from the circuit and try again. If it still will not hold, there is either an active ground fault on the circuit or the GFCI itself has failed.
Testing a GFCI Outlet
- Step 1: With the GFCI outlet powered and reset, plug in a lamp or device so you can see when power cuts.
- Step 2: Press the test button. The reset button should pop out and the plugged-in device should lose power immediately.
- Step 3: Press reset to restore power. The device should come back on.
- Step 4: If pressing test does not cut power to the outlet, the GFCI has failed and must be replaced. A GFCI that does not trip during testing provides no protection.
How to Check AFCI Breakers in Your Panel
AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) breakers protect against electrical arcing—sparks caused by damaged, deteriorating, or improperly installed wiring. They look like standard breakers but have a small test button on the face.
Identify AFCI breakers
Open your panel and look for breakers with a small rectangular test button. AFCI breakers are typically white or have a distinctive colored test button. They are required in bedrooms in homes built after 2002, and in most living areas in homes built after 2014.
Check for tripped AFCI breakers
Like standard breakers, a tripped AFCI breaker sits in the middle position. Some AFCI breakers also have a small indicator window that shows a color or text when tripped. Reset by pushing fully to off, then back to on.
Test AFCI breakers
Press the test button on the AFCI breaker. It should trip immediately, cutting power to the circuit. Reset it after testing. If it does not trip during testing, the AFCI protection has failed and the breaker should be replaced.
Troubleshooting GFCI and AFCI That Keep Tripping
Systematic Isolation Method
- Step 1 — Unplug everything: Disconnect all devices and appliances from every outlet on the circuit protected by the tripping GFCI or AFCI.
- Step 2 — Reset the device: With nothing plugged in, reset the GFCI or AFCI. If it holds, the fault is in one of your devices or appliances.
- Step 3 — Reconnect one at a time: Plug devices back in one at a time, waiting 30 seconds between each. When the GFCI or AFCI trips, the last device you plugged in is likely the culprit.
- Step 4 — If it trips with nothing plugged in: The fault is in the wiring itself, not in a device. This could be moisture in an outlet box, a damaged wire inside a wall, or a failing GFCI/AFCI device. Call an electrician.
Pro Tips
- •Check GFCIs first when outdoor outlets are dead: The number one cause of dead outdoor outlets is a tripped GFCI inside the house—often in a garage, bathroom, or basement. Resetting it takes five seconds and saves a service call.
- •GFCIs wear out: GFCI outlets have a lifespan of about 10-15 years. If a GFCI no longer trips when you press the test button, it has failed and must be replaced even if it still provides power. A GFCI that provides power but does not trip offers zero ground fault protection.
- •Label your GFCI-protected circuits: Once you discover which GFCI protects which downstream outlets, label it. Write "Protects: garage, patio, hallway bath" on a small sticker and place it near the GFCI. This saves time on the next trip event.
- •AFCI nuisance tripping is common with certain devices: Some vacuums, treadmills, and motor-driven devices can cause AFCI breakers to trip because their motors produce electrical noise that mimics an arc fault. If an AFCI only trips when one specific device is used, try plugging that device into a circuit without AFCI protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a GFCI and an AFCI?
A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protects against ground faults, which occur when electricity escapes its intended path and flows through water or a person. GFCIs are required in wet locations like bathrooms and kitchens. An AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) protects against arc faults, which are sparks caused by damaged or deteriorating wiring. AFCIs are required in bedrooms and living areas. Both devices trip to cut power when they detect their respective fault types.
Why does my GFCI keep tripping?
A GFCI that keeps tripping is detecting a ground fault, which means current is leaking outside the intended circuit path. Common causes include moisture in an outdoor outlet box, a failing appliance with a damaged cord or internal fault, too many devices sharing the circuit, or a worn GFCI outlet that has become overly sensitive. Unplug all devices from the circuit and reset the GFCI. If it holds, plug devices back in one at a time to identify the culprit.
Can a tripped GFCI in one room kill power to outlets in another room?
Yes. A single GFCI outlet can protect multiple downstream outlets on the same circuit, even in different rooms. When the GFCI trips, all downstream outlets lose power. This is why a tripped GFCI in a bathroom can cause dead outlets in a hallway, garage, or outdoor area. Always check every GFCI in the house when diagnosing dead outlets, even those in other rooms.