The three usual causes
- Overload: too many things on one circuit, like a space heater and a hair dryer, or a microwave, air fryer and coffee maker running together
- Short circuit: a hot wire touching neutral or ground, often in a damaged cord, outlet or fixture
- Ground fault: current leaking to ground, common with water in patio, pool-area, garage or bathroom circuits
How to reset a breaker safely
Unplug or switch off what was running on that circuit. At the panel, push the tripped breaker fully to OFF, then back to ON. If it holds, add things back one at a time to find the load that pushes it over.
When it trips right away
If the breaker trips the moment you reset it with nothing plugged in, leave it off. That points to a short in the wiring or a device, and repeated resets can damage the breaker or worse.
Check the GFCI outlets too
Dead outlets in a kitchen, bath, garage or on the patio are often a tripped GFCI outlet on the same circuit, not the breaker. Press RESET on each GFCI outlet nearby, including the one in the garage.
Las Vegas warning signs
Summer is the hardest season on circuits here: the AC runs for hours, garage freezers work harder in the heat, and pool pumps and window units in casitas add load. After a monsoon storm, water can get into patio and pool-area outlets. Call if you see scorch marks, smell burning, feel a warm breaker or hear buzzing, and don't touch a panel or outlet that got wet.
Need a hand with this?
Text a photo of the fan, fixture or panel and you'll get a price by text.