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Outlets and Switches Not Working: Troubleshooting Electrical Power Issues

Electrical power issues in New York City multi-residential properties are common, especially in pre-war buildings, but they can be a real hassle for condo owners, maintenance staff, and landlords. Here’s why you may find outlets and switches not working in your property and what you can try to remedy the situation.

Causes of Outlets and Switches Not Working

Circuit breaker tripped

Sometimes the cause of no power is a simple one: the circuit breaker has been tripped to the “off” position. Turning it back on restores power to that circuit.

If a breaker only trips once, it’s usually not a big deal. However, if you find the breaker repeatedly shutting off when you use that circuit, you need to investigate the root cause. Your circuit breaker is designed to protect you from exceeding amperage demands on the circuit as well as wiring faults, like “shorts” (gaps in old wiring) that could cause an electrical fire.

Wiring problem

Sometimes the internal wiring is the reason for outlets and switches not working. In pre-war New York City condominiums and co-operatives, this can be due to old wiring that’s loose, frayed, or losing its insulation. As mentioned above, a gap in the wiring can precipitate fire when sparks jump across air. Repairing old wiring is not a DIY job and should be done by a licensed electrician (see below).

Signs of potential wiring problems (which may also include electrical panel issues) are:

• Repeated tripping of circuit breaker
• Inability to use high amperage items (appliances, particularly those that generate heat) on certain circuits
• Getting shocked when using an outlet or switch
• Blackening around the holes of an outlet
• Melted or blackened plugs on electrical items
• Smoke (seen or smelled) or sparks when using certain receptacles
• Sizzling sound coming from the wall or electrical panel
• Blown fuses or malfunctions in items plugged into faulty outlets

Water around outlet or GFI tripped

Water and electricity don’t mix. If water splashes into a receptacle, it could cause it to stop working, especially if it is a ground fault interrupter (GFI) outlet.

Loose connections

We often see receptacles and switches come loose from the wiring behind them in the walls. This is especially common in older properties where there is a lot of vibration nearby, such as from trains or heavy construction.

Wrong dimmer switch

Another problem we see frequently is the result of DIY dimmer switch installation. While it may seem easy to add your own dimmer switches to control lights, they have to be carefully matched to the number of switches, circuit power supply, and fixture in question. Also, not all dimmer switches are LED compatible. If not done correctly or purchased for use with LED light bulbs, your dimmer switch may not work at all or may not give you the full range of illumination.

Solutions for Outlets and Switches Not Working

Check circuit breaker

If a switch or outlet isn’t working, the first thing you should do is check the breaker panel. If you notice the switch in the “off” position, restore it to “on” and see if that fixes the problem.

Replace electrical panel

As previously discussed, constant problems with breakers tripping may mean you have an electrical panel that needs work. Sometimes rewiring can fix the issue by giving high-demand items, like large appliances, their own circuits.

In other cases, the entire electrical panel must be replaced. This is common with old panels that are decades past their expected lifespan or panels that have been recalled for safety issues. We are happy to look at your electrical panel if you think it is causing power problems in your building, and we can determine if it needs an upgrade.

Repair wiring

Fixing old wiring is one of our most common services at Bolt Electric. Property owners are often hesitant to do it, but in the end they’re glad they did because they bring their electrical power into the 21st century, which makes life safer and more convenient.

When we update wiring in older New York City buildings, we look at the current demand on circuits that likely wasn’t there when the wiring was installed, such as:

• Larger kitchen appliances
• More small countertop appliances
• In-unit washers and dryers
• Window air conditioning units
• Portable heaters
• Entertainment systems
• Home electronics (computers, charging personal devices, etc.)

We can break up circuits that are trying (and failing) to power too many items simultaneously and give large items their own circuits. We can also increase the number of available outlets, which eliminates the need for power strips, which are another potential source of electrical fires.

Fortunately, there are ways today of running electrical wires along the exterior of walls to make rewiring less labor-intensive and expensive. We can disguise electrical components with covers that blend with baseboards and trim for the least obtrusive option.

Check GFI outlet settings

If a GFI outlet isn’t working, it may have shut off because of exposure to water. You need to dry the area and avoid using it until the outlet has dried out. If the amount of water splashed in the outlet was significant, you should call an electrician to make sure there are no safety or corrosion issues.

Sometimes GFI outlets get accidentally switched off. Using the “reset” button usually restores power immediately.

Tighten connections

If you’re handy with a screwdriver and know the basics of how outlets and switches work, you can tighten loose connections yourself. Just remember to shut off the power before you start working. If this is something you’re not comfortable with, or if your work doesn’t solve the lack of power issue, we are happy to come out and fix the problem for you.

Replace dimmer switches

If you have the wrong dimmer switch installed, you will have to replace it in order to get it to work properly. Remember, the dimmer must match:

• The type of fixture and its power demands
• The number of switches controlling the fixture
• The type of light bulb being used (LED, compact fluorescent, or incandescent)

Most of our clients find it easier to have us do this for them, so they are assured the switch will work safely and correctly. We can also suggest more sophisticated switches that let you control lights in a specific way or that integrate with a smart home hub. If you’re replacing a dimmer, it’s a good time to think about swapping any incandescent bulbs for LED ones, which are longer-lasting and more energy-efficient.

Call the experts at Bolt Electric

If you try the solutions above and they don’t work, or if you need the services of an experienced licensed electrician, Bolt Electric is here to help. Call us at 212-434-0098 to schedule an appointment to fix outlets and switches not working.