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uk Home & property emergencies

What to do if…
a circuit breaker, GFCI, or RCD keeps tripping or will not reset

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Stop repeatedly trying to reset it. Keep people away from anything wet, damaged, hot, sparking, or scorched, disconnect safe-to-reach appliances, and contact a registered electrician if the device trips again or will not stay on.

Do not do these things

  • Do not hold the switch in the on position or try to stop it from tripping.
  • Do not bypass the breaker or RCD, fit an unsuitable fuse, or place another object where a fuse belongs.
  • Do not remove the consumer-unit cover or touch exposed wiring.
  • Do not keep using an appliance that appears to cause the trip.
  • Do not touch switches, plugs, sockets, appliances, or the consumer unit with wet hands or while standing in water.
  • Do not attempt a reset if there is smoke, sparking, scorching, unusual heat, a burning smell, crackling, buzzing, water ingress, or visible damage.
  • Do not use electrical equipment that has become wet until a competent person has assessed it.

What to do now

  1. Check for immediate danger without touching the equipment. If there is fire, smoke, active sparking, or a strong burning smell, get everyone out, stay out, and call 999.
  2. Warn other people to stay away from any unsafe electrical equipment or installation.
  3. If water is near the consumer unit, wiring, sockets, or appliances, keep away. Switch off the electricity only if a suitable switch is dry, undamaged, readily accessible, and safe to operate.
  4. Note which protective switch has tripped and which rooms, sockets, lights, or appliances have lost power. Do not remove any covers.
  5. With dry hands and from a dry surface, switch off and unplug portable appliances on the affected circuit where they are safe to reach. Include extension leads, chargers, outdoor equipment, and anything recently connected.
  6. Switch off accessible controls for fixed appliances that may be on the affected circuit. Do not dismantle them or disconnect fixed wiring.
  7. Follow the markings and manufacturer instructions for the consumer unit or device. After disconnecting safe-to-reach portable appliances, make no more than one reset attempt if there are no warning signs and it is safe to do so. If the breaker, GFCI, or RCD trips again, will not reset, or will not remain on, leave the affected circuit off and contact a registered electrician.
  8. Leave any appliance that appears damaged, wet, unusually hot, scorched, or associated with the trip disconnected and out of use until it has been checked. Do not keep reconnecting appliances to identify the fault yourself.
  9. If you rent the property, report the fault promptly to your landlord, letting agent, council, or housing association. State whether it has affected heating, hot water, refrigeration, lighting, smoke alarms, or essential medical equipment.
  10. If anyone has received an electric shock, first make sure there is no continuing electrical danger. Call 999 if they are unconscious, not breathing normally, having difficulty breathing, badly burned, or otherwise seriously unwell. For non-emergency medical advice, contact NHS 111.

What can wait

You do not need to identify the exact fault, open the consumer unit, buy replacement parts, or decide on permanent repairs now. Leave the affected circuit or appliance off and focus on keeping people away from anything wet, damaged, hot, sparking, buzzing, or scorched.

Important reassurance

A circuit breaker or RCD may trip because it has detected a fault. Leaving the affected circuit switched off is safer than repeatedly restoring power, and a competent electrician can investigate without you having to diagnose the problem yourself.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate safety and basic isolation steps only. Testing wiring, repairing fixed appliances, replacing protective devices, and deciding whether an installation is safe require a competent electrician or another appropriate specialist.

Important note

This is general electrical-safety information, not professional electrical, medical, legal, or emergency advice. Follow instructions from the emergency services, NHS 111, your landlord, the equipment manufacturer, or a competent electrician where they differ.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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