Power Outlet Not Working | How to for Check GFCI

• Question - We had a power outlet powering our telephone and document shredder, and then one day it just stopped working.  We now have an extension cord running from somewhere else in the room to power the telephone.  And we stopped shredding documents. - JAV

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• Charlie's Solution:  

Hi JAV,

 

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my request for "home repair" questions and yours is a good question. First tell me a little about your knowledge of "working around the house" and also about the situation in your home. 

 

Could you answer these questions?

1. Are you handy with small tools in case the fix is not easy? Screwdrivers, pliers, electrical tape, etc....

2. Is this an outlet with two oval plugs receptors or is it a square outlet? The ovals fit into these type of outlet covers. 

 

3. Make sure the outlet is not a GFCI outlet. This is pretty simple to do. Are there buttons in the middle of the outlet?

Here is an example of a CFGI outlet: 

 

 

4. If not a GFCI, are any other outlets on that wall also out? 

JAV, I would suggest you first check the circuit breaker in the house if you haven't already done so. You may have blown a circuit. If this is the case, then the fix is easy. Switch the circuit back on. You can tell if the circuit breaker is in the "off" position if it is either all the way to the right or if the breaker switch is mid way...not right or left. Most breakers are in the off position to the right and on position to the left. If you find the a breaker in the middle...switch it off first then switch it back on.

If this doesn't work, you may have a bad outlet. Changing an outlet is dangerous so if none of these work or you already tried these steps, let me know and we will go on to changing an outlet.  I will probably do a video for this one. 

Good Luck. I look forward to hearing from you.

-Charlie Frattini

-Charlie Frattini
TV Host/Master Builder of A&E's Sell This House Extreme
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