What to do if you lose power
Troubleshooting Tips for Partial or Whole Home Power Loss
Losing power in all or part of your home can be a shock (pun intended). But before you panic, try a few of these troubleshooting tips. If these don’t work or you would like further guidance, text or call us at (470) 236-3796.
Important safety notes:
Prior to attempting any of the troubleshooting tips below, remember that you should NEVER attempt to remove the cover of an electrical panel or meter yourself. Opening the door is fine, but do not remove bolts or the front metal cover itself. Call a licensed electrician if you believe this is necessary.
If you see sparks, arcing, or see signs of fire/scorching damage, do not touch your electrical panel and call a licensed electrician immediately for next steps.
We advise unplugging sensitive electronics in your home in the event of any power outage and before attempting the steps listed below.
WHOLE HOME POWER LOSS
If there has been a recent storm or you notice your neighbors have lost power, you are likely experiencing an outage that can only be rectified by your electric utility provider.
For Georgia Power customers, click HERE to view the current outage map or report an outage.
If your home is the only building out of power near you or you have already confirmed that power has not been lost or turned off by your utility provider, try the steps below:
Check your main breaker. This is usually the large breaker at the top of your electrical panel. You may also or only have a main breaker located in your electrical meter outside your home. The breaker may be flipped to the “off” position, but this can be hard to see. Try flipping the breaker fully “off” and back “on” again. We advise unplugging any sensitive devices in your home during any outage and prior to flipping breakers.
If this does not restore power, leave the main breaker in the “off” position and call an electrician.
If you do not have or cannot find the main breaker, call an electrician.
Partial Power Loss in One Area of the Home
If you have lost power to a single room, part of a room, or just the lights or outlets in a room, follow the troubleshooting tips below:
First, find your electrical panel and located the circuit breakers (photo above).
Your panel should be labeled, but not all panels are or the labels may be inaccurate.
Find the breaker corresponding to the affected area of your home. If labels are incorrect or not present, locate any breakers which appear to be in the “off” position.
Flip the breaker fully “off” and back “on” again. Check to see if power is restored.
Some breakers are AFCI/GFCI breakers. There may be a “reset” and “test” buttons in addition to the main switch located on the breaker. Try pressing the “Reset” button and check your power status.
If resetting your breaker does not work, try the steps below:
Many areas of your home require GFCI protection, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and home exteriors (porches, lawns, exterior outlets). GFCI breakers or outlets can trip and cause temporary power loss.
First, unplug any devices on the affected circuit, especially devices or equipment which was plugged in immediately before the loss of power. Power tools, exercise equipment, hair dryers, kitchen appliances, etc can all pull a lot of power and trip GFCI breakers and outlets.
Locate any GFCI outlets in the area. PLEASE NOTE: Multiple outlets and even light fixtures can all be run on one circuit, a single tripped outlet can affect the entire circuit and even a whole room. Occasionally, outlets in other rooms or on the other side of a wall may all be connected. Find any GFCI outlet that may be in the general vicinity of the power loss.
There should be a “Reset” and “Test” button on the outlet. You may have noticed these outlets in your bathroom or kitchen, but they can be present nearly anywhere in the home. The buttons may be differently colored, or may just be white. Typically the “Reset” button is on the top and may be red. The “Test” button is usually on the bottom and may be black.
Press the “Reset” button on all nearby outlets. See if power is restored.
If this happens repeatedly, it is likely that the current wiring is not up to code. Modern appliances often require dedicated circuits and older homes may have too many outlets or appliances on a single circuit. Call a licensed electrician to evaluate recurring electrical issues.
If you are still experiencing power issues after attempting the above troubleshooting tips, call a licensed electrician for an evaluation and repair. CLICK HERE to contact licensed electricians at Highwire Electric in Atlanta, GA who can help keep your home electrical system safe and functional.
