Don't find any of the above signs of trouble? Trace your way through the circuit using the steps below.
  • Turn off all wall switches and unplug every lamp and appliance on the dead circuit.
  • Install a new fuse or reset the tripped breaker.
  • If the fuse blows or the breaker trips right away, the problem may be a short circuit in a switch or receptacle.
  • With the circuit dead, remove each cover plate and inspect the device and its wiring.
  • Look for charred wire insulation, wire shorted against the metal box or a device that's defective.
  • Replace a defective device.
  • Call in an electrician to replace faulty wiring.
  • If the new fuse doesn't blow or the breaker doesn't trip right away, turn on each wall switch, one by one, checking each time to see if the fuse has blown or the circuit breaker has tripped.
  • If turning on a wall switch causes a fuse to blow or the breaker to trip, there's a short circuit in a light fixture or receptacle, controlled by that switch, or there's a short circuit in the switch wiring.
  • With the circuit dead, inspect the fixture, receptacle, and switch for charred wire insulation or faulty connections.
  • Replace a faulty switch or fixture.
  • Call in an electrician to replace wiring.