Clear Guides
How to Reset a Tripped Breaker
Power out in one room? This takes 5 minutes.
Time 5 minsDifficulty EasyTools Flashlight
The short version
- Find your breaker panel (garage, basement, utility closet).
- Look for the switch that's in the middle or OFF position.
- Push it fully to OFF, then firmly to ON.
- If it trips again immediately, unplug things on that circuit first.
Directions
- Find the panel. Usually in the garage, basement, or a utility closet. Bring a flashlight if the power's out.
- Spot the tripped breaker. Look for a switch that's not fully ON, sitting in the middle or flipped to OFF.
- Reset it. Push the switch all the way to OFF first, then firmly to ON. You should feel it click.
- If it trips again. Unplug everything on that circuit, reset again, then plug things back one at a time to find the overload.