Visual Inspection
If your appliance, lamp, or electrical device suddenly stops working, your initial step would be to check the outlet and the electrical cord for signs of damage. Power outlet malfunction happens occasionally. There could be visible signs of damage, such as discoloration. At the same time, you should also check plugs and cords for breaks, fraying, and other damage. If either the outlet or the cord is faulty, it would be best to replace them.
Try a Different Outlet
If checking your outlet and power cord does not solve the problem, try plugging your lamp or device into a different outlet. What you are doing here is determining whether the outlet or the electrical item is the source of the problem. You can be certain that the outlet is the main issue if your device works when you plug it into a different outlet.
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. Most outlets 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 that is usually in your bathroom or kitchen. Sometimes it can also be in a more obscure location like the garage or laundry room. Once you find it, resetting a GFCI outlet is an easy fix for a dead outlet.
Check the Breaker Panel
Sometimes, the problem will not be the outlets themselves but the circuit breaker. By a simple examination of your home’s breaker panel, you can figure out which breaker has gone bad. Most breaker panels have clearly labeled circuits that tell you which part of the house they are connected to. Turning the breaker off and then back on can fix the problem. In other cases, the breaker itself may be bad or have a loose connection. If that is the case, then the breaker needs to be replaced.
Call Your Landlord
Always report any type of electrical issue to your landlord and tell them what the problem is and what troubleshooting steps you have done. It could be a simple call to tell them you had an issue and you were able to resolve it. Observe if these things happen frequently because it could signal a bigger electrical problem. Ask your landlord to call in a professional electrician to evaluate the problem if you still have non-working outlets after some troubleshooting. Either way, good communication with your Dacula property manager is the best way to get electrical issues permanently resolved.
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