Quick Fixes
As frustrating as it sounds, try a bulb from another fixture that you can see is working or test the bulbs that you are replacing. We receive many calls a year where the 'new bulbs' are either not new or have been damaged at some point. Verifying that the bulbs you are putting in are indeed in working order can save you a service call with an electrician.
If there are multiple fixtures not working, check and see if you have a tripped breaker. A tripped breaker may not always land in the 'tripped' position, reset all 15A breakers by bringing them to the off position and then back on. Or replace the fuse in your fuse panel.
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My light fixture has burnt bulb(s) and replacing the bulbs is not fixing the problem.
My plug(s) are not working
(Single Plug in Bedroom or Living Room)
In rooms that have no lights, receptacles may be switched so that a lamp maybe controlled. Many times we respond to a receptacle (or half a receptacle) not working, and we simply turn that switch on. Plug in something you can see operate from across the room, we recommend a lamp, into the receptacle that isn't working. Then go to the switches around the room and start flicking them on and off.
My plug(s) are not working
(Kitchen/Bathroom Counter)
Kitchen receptacles, when installed correctly, should be dedicated or have two receptacles connected in a circuit. First, try resetting the GFCI receptacles in your kitchen. They will have a TEST and a RESET button. Only press the RESET button. If it resets, you will know because you will hear a clicking noise, try testing your dead receptacle to see if it is now on. If there are no GFCI receptacles or resetting them did not resolve the issue, see if you have a tripped breaker or blown fuse in your panel. Breakers will not always land on the tripped position, so reset all your 15A and 20A breakers by turning them off and then back on. If a breaker immediately trips after resetting, unplug all affected appliances and try resetting again.
Mixed Devices/Other Not Working
If multiple devices fail, chances are pretty good that
a breaker has tripped. The cause for a tripped breaker can be damaged equipment, overload, or in cases of new homes AFCI breakers. Make note of the last piece of equipment you used and unplug it. Go to your electrical panel or fuse box and replace burnt fuses or reset breakers. Breakers will not always fall into their tripped position, reset all 15A breakers by turning them off and then back on. If the breaker trips or fuse blows immediately, remove additional equipment from the circuit and try again.
The two most common causes of tripping we find are overloading with heavy loads (Space heaters, A/Cs, blow dryers, curling irons, kitchen appliances being used out side the kitchen, and power tools) and nuisance tripping on AFCI breakers with power tools, microwaves, and vacuums. Over loading can be mitigated by relocating equipment to other rooms that may be served by a different circuit, using equipment where intended, not using plug splitters, or having dedicated receptacles installed where heavy equipment is frequently used.