Outdoor Outlet Not Working? 10 Ways to Fix

Like everything in your home, the outdoor outlets also need maintenance and fixing once in a while. If your Outdoor Outlet is not working, it could be because of various reasons. This includes lack of maintenance or wear or tear.

However, the good news is you can make it work with very little effort. In this article, we talk about Outdoor Outlet Not Working and 10 ways to fix it. We not only discuss the problem you might be facing but also the solutions to it.

So, let’s dive in.

Problem 1: Tripped GFCI Outlet

It is common for the GFCI to trip due to ground fault or current leakage, and that can be one of the issues with your Outdoor Outlet Not Working. Generally, the outdoor outlets are protected by GFCI or the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Outlets. However, when the GFCI trips, it can cut the power to the connected outlets. The good news is you can fix this very easily.

The steps are as follows.

• Find the tripped GFCI. This could be anywhere around the house, including the garage, bathroom, or any nearby location.
• Simply press the “reset” button on the GFCI outlet. If it clicks and resets, the power will be restored normally, and all your outdoor outlets will start functioning normally.
• In case your GFCI does not reset like that, you can unplug the device from the outdoor outlets and then attempt to reset it again if it gets resert. It is possible that the device may be causing a ground fault. After that, start plugging them in one after the other. This will help you find the problematic device.

Problem 2: Tripped Circuit Breaker

It is possible that your GFCI outlet is working properly, but you still do not have power in your outdoor outlets. In such cases, you can do this-

• Open the electrical panel and look for the circuit breaker that is labeled for outdoor outlets.
• If it is positioned in the middle or Off position, then just flip it to the ON position.

Problem 3: Loose Wiring Or Damage In Outlet

• Another very common reason for your Outdoor Outlet Not Working is a problem with the wiring or damage in the outlet. If this is the problem for you, here is how you can rectify it.
• Turn off all the power supply to the outdoor outlet by switching off the circuit breaker.
• Remove the outlet cover and look into your wiring connections. You should find them inside the outlet box. If there are any loose wires in the box, carefully reattach them.
• In case your outlet is damaged, you will have to replace it with a new outdoor-rated GFCI outlet. And Voila, you will be good to go.

Problem 4: Moisture Damage

Oftentimes, the outdoor outlets are exposed to the elements, which can bring moisture to the outlet. What this does is it causes corrosion and electrical issues. If you feel this is what has happened with your outlet, too, you can fix it like this-

• Ensure the outdoor outlet is dry and free of any moisture. You can use a hair dryer to dry your outlet out thoroughly.
• Install a weatherproof outlet cover and protect your outlet from rain and moisture.

Problem 5: Overload Circuit

Sometimes, a very common reason for an Outdoor Outlet Not Working is because it has been overloaded. If there are too many devices connected to the outdoor outlets, your outdoor outlet will get overloaded and trip. You can easily fix this problem. To rectify this, do this-

• Disconnect some of the devices from the outdoor outlets.
• Spread out the outdoor outlets. Alternatively, you can also add more outlets if needed.

Problem 6: Faults in The Wiring

There is a huge possibility that when your outdoor outlets are not working, none of the above mentioned problems are the reason. If that is the case, there is a huge possibility that it could be because of the faulty wiring. If you think this is the case, your best solution to this is to consult a licensed electrician. The certified professional will diagnose and repair the wiring and make sure all your outdoor outlets start working.

Problem 7: GFCI Breaker

Sometimes, if the outdoor outlets are protected by a GFCI breaker in the main panel, and it trips, then that might cause the outdoor outlet to not work. But, it is very easy to rectify this situation. To do that, you have to follow these steps.

• Open the electrical panel and find the GFCI breaker.
• Check if it’s Off or On. If it is Off, then turn it to On position.

Problem 8: Insufficient Power

There are times when your Outdoor Outlet may not be working if they do not get enough power supply. This can happen because of various reasons, including outdoor circuit overload or if the circuit’s capacity is too low. But you can take care of it with these easy steps.

Disconnect a couple of devices from the outlets. If this starts working, the problem is an insufficient power supply. In such cases, you might have to reduce the load. You may either re-distribute the load or install a dedicated circuit for outdoor use. The key is to make sure that you give your outdoor outlets enough power.

Problem 9: Rodent Damage

Rodents like squirrels or mice can chew through the electrical wiring. This can be a big reason for your Outdoor Outlet Not Working. There are a few things you can do in order to get things back working. This includes the following.

• Inspect Outdoor Wiring: Examine the wiring that leads to the outdoor outlets. While doing it, pay special attention to damage like exposed wires or bite marks maybe.
• Repair Damaged Wiring: If you find any damaged wiring, you should repair or replace the damaged wire. However, when doing this, you will need a professional electrician. An open, damaged wiring might pose safety hazards.

Problem 10: Outlets That are Not Properly Installed

Another big reason for your outlet not working is because the outlet might not be properly installed. You can make it work using these simple solutions.

• Turn the power off: Ensure you turn the power off to the outdoor outlet circuit at the circuit breaker. You should do it before working on the outlet in any capacity.
• Inspect the wiring connections: It is also important to make sure that the wiring connections inside the outlet box are correctly connected. In case of loose wiring, you might have to get it fixed.
• Other correct installation: If the outlet, by any chance, is not installed properly, you have to ensure that it is properly installed.

How Do You Know When to Call for Professional Help?

While it is very easy to take care of an outdoor outlet that is not working, it is also important to know when to call for a professional. Since this is an electrical problem, it is risky to deal with such issues. If you commit a mistake, it can cause a number of repercussions.

Here is a list of things that you might have to take into account when taking care of the Outdoor Outlet Not Working on your own.

• When lights start to flicker: If the lights have started to flicker, it means that there is a significant wiring problem that has either already happened or is about to happen. These situations can easily escalate into a fire hazard. So, it is very important to remember and call for a professional in such cases.
• Multiple outlets are not working: There is a possibility that multiple outlets might not be working in your home, and if that is the case, it is better to call for professional help. If you see a lot of corrosion in the electrical outlets, it is possible that high moisture is happening inside or around the panel. Touching this unsupervised or without professional knowledge can get very dangerous.
• Repeated Trips of the Breakers: While it is normal for your Outdoor Outlet to not work once in a while if it continues tripping repeatedly, it is important to get an electrician to check the outlet. There is a possibility that there could be some underlying faults with the wiring that might be fatal to take care of on your own. In times like these, you should get your outdoor outlet checked by a professional.
• Absent GFCI: Generally, bathroom, kitchen, and laundry rooms have GFCI in their circuit outlets in order to avoid electrocution. But there is a possibility that you might not have a GFCI installed here. Or, a case in point may be that there can be high moisture content in the outlets outside of these spaces, too. In such cases, it is important to get a professional to take a look at this. It is also important to upgrade these places later on and have a GFCI installed here.
• Shock Value: If you are trying to get your outdoor outlet to work, but it isn’t working, and you experience a sudden shock, you should immediately stop trying to make it work and seek professional help. The warm faceplates and outlets are generally indications of high shock. So, it is important to get it checked by an electrician.
• Too many extension cords: If you are using too many extension cords, you could be at high risk. If this is the case with your outdoor outlet, too, you should get it checked by an electrician. While extension cords are convenient to use, they are only good for shorter periods of time. In a longer period, they can overheat and even cause electrical fire.

Conclusion

With this, we can conclude that Outdoor Outlet Not Working is a very common problem in most households, and it can be fixed very easily. With these tips and tricks, you can easily fix the problem. With that said, it is also important to be very careful. Electrical issues generally turn from petty issues to big hazards in the blink of an eye. So, it is very important to know where you can fix things yourself and where you need professional help.

So, be careful when taking care of the Outdoor Outlet Not Working.

Frequently Asked Question

What is a GFCI Outlet?

GFCI is the acronym for “ground-fault circuit interrupter.” This means that GFCI provides you with a layer of protection for the electric circuit. It protects the circuit by cutting off the power whenever it gets wet or any other fault happens. This prevents anyone around from getting electrocuted.

What is the Difference Between GFI and GFCI?

The simple answer to this is none. There is no difference between GFI and GFCI at all. GFI stands for ground-fault interrupter, and GFCI stands for ground-fault circuit interrupter outlet. Both things are more or less the same. Hence, people generally use these terms very interchangeably.

How Do I Find My Circuit Breaker?

You can find your circuit breaker in a breaker box. This is also known as the main electrical box. If you are looking for one, search for a metal box in your home that is built flush into the wall. When you open its door, you will see many switches for the circuit breakers. These also protect your household circuits.

How Can I Reset My GFCI Outlet?

It is very easy to resent your GFCI outlet. However, it is important to take some precautionary steps first. These things include- not touching the outlet unless it is completely dry. Then, you must make sure that you unplug all the devices from the GFCI outlet or any other outlet. Once you are done, you can push the reset button to reset the GFCI outlet.

How Do You Know If You Have a Dead Outlet?

It is very easy to know if you have a dead outlet. You can do this by plugging in an appliance in your outlet. If it does not work even then, then you might have a dead outlet or your appliance might be damaged.