Troubleshooting Electrical Issues: A Homeowner’s Checklist

Luckily, many electrical issues are not emergencies. You don’t need to be an electrician - just a little attention and awareness can go a long way. In this brief article brought to you by Mr. Electric, we offer a simple checklist to help you troubleshoot electrical issues throughout the year.

If you do need professional electrical repair service, then keep calm and contact Mr. Electric. We're an established company with uniformed and certified electricians, upfront price quotes, and a 1-year workmanship guarantee with our Neighborly Done Right Promise. Call or message us at any time of the day - or night - to get in touch!

Test the Device or Appliance First

The best place to begin when something isn’t working is with the device itself. Don’t immediately assume it’s a wiring problem if your coffee maker won’t start or your lamp won’t turn on. Start by testing the item in a different outlet - preferably one you know works well. If it still doesn’t work, the issue is likely the appliance or device (not your home’s electrical system). On the other hand, if the device does work elsewhere, then outlet it was plugged into may be the real culprit.

Reset or Inspect the Outlet

Once the device is ruled out, it's time to shift your attention to the outlet. Some outlets (particularly those in kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor areas) are equipped with a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, or GFCI. These have small "Test" and "Reset" buttons built in. If a GFCI trips due to a power imbalance, then the outlet will stop working until it’s reset. Pressing the reset button often restores power. If the outlet doesn’t have a GFCI button, or pressing it doesn’t solve the issue, the next step is to check the circuit breaker panel.

Check Your Electrical Panel

Breaker panels, typically found in basements, garages, or utility closets, are the control center for your home’s electrical system. Open the panel and you'll find rows and columbs of switches, or circuit breakers. Each breaker controls a different circuit, When one trips (often due to an overload or a short), it flips to the middle position between "on" and "off."

To reset the circuit breaker, you’ll need to flip it completely off and then back on. If this restores power, then great! If the breaker trips again shortly afterward, then there may be a more serious issue such as a short circuit or excessive demand on that circuit.

DON'T Ignore Frequently-Tripping Breakers

Frequently tripping breakers shouldn’t be ignored. One of the most common causes is a circuit overload; this means there are too many high-power devices drawing energy from the same line. For example, if your microwave and toaster are on the same circuit and using them simultaneously causes the breaker to trip, then the circuit is probably overloaded.

Try unplugging one device and see if the breaker holds. If removing a single appliance fixes the issue, then it may be time to rearrange devices or talk to an electrician in Millcreek about adding another circuit to spread out the load.

Look for Physical Damage

If you’ve made it this far and still don’t have a clear answer, then it’s time to look for physical signs of trouble. Discoloration around outlets or switches, a slight burning smell, or wall plates that feel unusually warm are all signs of underlying electrical problems.

Flickering lights might seem like a minor annoyance, but they can be early indicators of loose wiring or voltage fluctuations. In older homes, these symptoms are even more concerning because aging wiring may not meet modern safety standards.

Hire a Uniformed, Local Electrician Today

Still having problems? Hiring a uniformed electrician in Taylorsville is quick and affordable when you choose Mr. Electric. We offer emergency service, upfront price quotes, and a 1-year workmanship guarantee so that our community can use their electrical with a total peace of mind! Call or message Mr. Electric at any time of the day - or night - to get in touch!