How to Reset a Circuit Breaker in 5 Steps

Your morning routine is off to a fine start as you plug in the hairdryer, until, *click*—total darkness. In this instance, it’s unlikely that your power is out for good, but you likely need to learn how to reset your circuit breaker. Though inconvenient, this sudden shutdown happens purposely to safeguard your electronics, ensure the circuit doesn’t overheat, and prevent damage to the electrical panel. 

Resetting a circuit breaker in your circuit breaker box is a quick and easy fix. Follow these steps and safety precautions to get your electrical supply back up and running again.

What to Do If a Blown Fuse Won't Reset

If your breaker won’t reset and is completely blown, our five-step fix won’t quite do the trick. A circuit breaker that won’t reset could mean you have a short circuit, a faulty breaker, or another serious problem on your hands. Since electric work of any kind can pose a threat to your safety and others, we strongly recommended hiring an electrical pro to resolve this type of issue. A professional electrician can assess the situation and safely fix or install a new circuit breaker. 

How To Tell If a Fuse Is Blown In Circuit Breaker

Since most homes no longer have fuse boxes, a “blown fuse” has become synonymous with any problem with your circuit breaker. However, a literal fuse is a metal strip encased in a glass tube that heats up and melts during a power surge. If you have a fuse box in your home (as opposed to a circuit breaker), there are a few ways to tell if a fuse has been blown.

1. One way to know if a fuse is blown is by checking for signs of any visible damage.

2. If the tube appears to be broken or cracked, there’s a good chance it’s blown and you will need to  replace it. 

3. You may also notice a dark, metallic substance inside the glass tube, which also indicates the fuse is blown. 

4. While visual damage is often a tell-tale sign that a fuse is blown, a blown fuse may not always look damaged. So, using a multimeter is another good way to test if a fuse has blown in your box. This is a tool that measures the electrical value of a circuit. 

5. If you have a circuit breaker and want to know if you have a more serious problem on your hands, you’ll want to check for short circuits, ground faults, or damaged wiring and outlets. 

6. If you’re experiencing these problems, there’s a good chance that your circuit breaker is “blown” and requires professional repair. 

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro: When to Call a Certified Electrician

Sometimes simply flipping the switch won’t be enough, and calling a professional for further investigation or repairs will be necessary. Electricians in most areas generally charge between $40 and $120 per hour for their time.

When to Call a Professional 

Don’t try to take on major electrical work yourself to save on labor costs—remember, safety first! But before you pick up the phone to call a pro, there may be a simple and safe remedy that you can implement on your own. By following the five steps we’ve considered, you can feel empowered to successfully reset your circuit breaker. Call a professional when:

1. Hire a local certified electrician when the issues with your electrical panel run deeper than just resetting the breaker. 

2. When your circuit breaker trips, you may worry that a serious electrical problem is on the horizon.

3. If your circuit breaker is regularly tripping, even when you aren’t overloading the system, this is usually a sign something more serious is going on. Look out for signs of scorching, burning smells, heat, or rusting around the circuit breaker. These aren’t things to ignore as they can be a fire risk.

4. Make sure you leave the breaker in the “off” position in these scenarios until the electrician can investigate. Sometimes it can simply be a case of a breaker needing replacing because it’s old and there’s significant wear and tear. 

5. Other times, a more substantial system upgrade is required. This could involve adding extra circuits or investing in the cost of a new, more powerful circuit box, which runs about $1,150 on average.