Visual Inspection
If an appliance, lamp, or electrical device suddenly stopped working, you can check the outlet or electrical cord for signs of damage. Most of the time, a malfunctioning power outlet is a culprit. A usual sign of damage is discoloration. Check all plugs and cords, as well, for breaks, fraying, and other damage. If you find that either the outlet or the cord is damaged, it could be time to replace them.
Try a Different Outlet
If there seems to be no problem with the outlet and power cord, try plugging your lamp or device into a different outlet It is important that you know whether the outlet or the electrical item is defective. If plugging into a different outlet makes your device work, then you can deduce that the outlet is the problem.
Reset the GFCI
One of the most common reasons an outlet will stop working is because it is connected to a GFCI outlet that has tripped a circuit. Outlets usually have a reset button. If you cannot find it, the reset button will be on another outlet within that circuit. The reset button for the entire circuit is located on a GFCI outlet. This outlet is usually found in either your bathroom or kitchen, although sometimes in an obscure location like the garage or laundry room. Resetting a GFCI, once you find it, is an easy fix for a dead outlet.
Check the Breaker Panel
Instead of the outlets themselves, a bad circuit breaker might be the problem. You can usually tell which breaker has gone bad by examining your home’s breaker panel. A lot of breaker panels have clearly labeled circuits telling you which part of the house they are connected to. If this is the case, you can easily remedy it by flipping the breaker off and then on again. If it still does not work, you might have a breaker that has gone bad or has a loose connection. If that is the case, then the breaker is due for replacement.
Call Your Landlord
You must always let your landlord know about any electrical issues you experience. Call them and report the problem as well as the steps you have taken to solve it. It may simply be a call to tell them you had an issue but you were able to troubleshoot it yourself. Observe if these things happen frequently because it could signal a bigger electrical problem. If you still have outlets that are not working after doing some troubleshooting, your landlord will need to call in a professional electrician to check everything. Either way, good communication with your Raleigh property manager is the best way to get electrical issues permanently resolved.
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