Troubleshooting Electrical Plugs and Switches

Electrical outlets don’t always work. We expect them to work every time, so when they don’t, we tend to get frustrated. It can be especially annoying to deal with when you have no idea why it’s not working. Next time you run into this situation, consider one of these common causes of non-working plugs and switches. 

Tripped Circuit Breaker

One of the underrated safety features in your home is the circuit breaker. This important piece of equipment cuts off when there’s too much electrical current flowing through circuits. To figure out if your circuit breaker is the issue, flip it off and then on again. In many cases, this will solve your problem. 

Blown Fuse

If it’s not the circuit breaker, you may be dealing with a blown fuse. After switching off the power to the fuse box, check it for melted metal or discolored glass. If you find that one fuse has gone bad, replace it with a new fuse that’s identical to the original one. 

Burned Out Outlets

Overloaded outlets can literally become burned out, typically in the form of a small fire. If there’s any blackening around an outlet, it needs to be replaced. Replace it immediately to avoid fire hazards.

Faulty Outlets

On a rare occasion, outlets just don’t work! If you’ve tried all these steps and not had success, turn the power off, and carefully replace the outlet that’s not working with a brand new one. If this is beyond your comfort level, call an electrician. 

Loose Wires

If none of the above situations are the case, it’s time to call an electrician. They will be able to determine if there are loose wires by removing the front plate of the outlet and carefully pulling out the outlet, inspecting the wires. By tightening the screws around the wires, they may be able to fix the problem. 

As a Fort Worth prepaid electricity provider, Pronto Power knows that electrical plugs and switches don’t always work. We provide reliable electricity to our customers with the lowest rates in Texas. Looking for more affordable prepaid electricity in Texas? Give us a call at 1-844-621-2852.