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uk Home & property emergencies gfci keeps tripping • rcd keeps tripping • rcbo keeps tripping • fuse box keeps tripping • consumer unit keeps tripping • socket keeps tripping • power won’t stay on • reset button won’t stay in • outlet trips immediately • trips when plugging in • trips when turning on kettle • trips after rain damp • trips in bathroom kitchen • sudden loss of power at sockets • electrics keep cutting out • earth leakage suspected • can’t restore power safely • tripping switch in fusebox • rcd trips with nothing on

What to do if…
a GFCI or RCD outlet keeps tripping and you can’t restore power safely

Short answer

Treat repeated RCD/RCBO tripping (or an RCD-protected socket that won’t reset) as a safety warning: stop trying to “force” it back on, isolate what you safely can, and get a registered electrician to investigate.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t hold a reset button in, tape it down, or repeatedly “rapid-fire” reset it.
  • Don’t use the socket/circuit if there’s any burning smell, heat, buzzing/crackling, scorch marks, or visible damage.
  • Don’t handle plugs, switches, or the consumer unit if you’re wet, barefoot on a damp floor, or standing near water.
  • Don’t use extension leads/adaptors to “work around” the tripping outlet.
  • Don’t open the consumer unit, socket, or appliance casing, or touch exposed wiring.
  • Don’t ignore outdoor/damp-area sockets and lights (moisture is a common trigger).

What to do now

  1. Make the area safer first. If you see smoke, flames, or strong burning smells, leave if needed and call 999. If there’s water near the outlet (leak, flood, condensation), keep people/pets away and don’t touch anything electrical there.
  2. Stop the “reset loop”. If it trips again immediately (or won’t reset), stop trying for now. Repeated tripping usually means a real fault that needs checking.
  3. Unplug and switch off what you can on that circuit. Unplug everything you can safely reach that was in use when it tripped (especially heaters, kettles, washing machine, dishwasher, outdoor tools, dehumidifiers). Also switch off fused spurs/isolators you recognise (e.g., for boiler, immersion heater) only if they’re clearly labelled and safe to reach.
  4. Try one careful reset attempt (only if conditions are dry and safe).
    • At the consumer unit, move the tripped RCD/RCBO fully to OFF, then back to ON.
    • If it won’t stay on even with things unplugged, stop and move to step 6.
  5. If it resets, identify the culprit without risk. Turn things back on one at a time, waiting a moment between each. If it trips when a specific appliance is plugged in/turned on, leave that appliance unplugged and out of use.
  6. Get the right help.
    • Owner-occupier: book a registered electrician to investigate (this may be wiring, moisture ingress, a failing device, or a faulty appliance).
    • Renting: report it to your landlord/letting agent as an urgent electrical safety issue and ask for an electrician. If you have no safe power for essentials (heating, fridge, medical equipment), say so clearly.
  7. If you’ve lost power widely, check whether it’s actually a power cut. If neighbours also have no power, it may be an outage rather than your RCD.
    • England, Scotland, Wales: call 105 (free) to reach your local electricity network operator.
    • Northern Ireland: the power-cut number is 03457 643643.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to decide what caused it right now.
  • You don’t need to replace the outlet/consumer unit parts yourself.
  • You don’t need to “test” appliances beyond unplugging/plugging back in one-by-one if the power is stable and conditions are dry.
  • You don’t need to run high-power appliances today—focus on keeping things safe and preventing repeat trips.

Important reassurance

This is a common, scary-feeling problem because it cuts power suddenly, but an RCD/RCBO is designed to trip to reduce shock and fire risk. Pausing and isolating the issue is the safest move.

Scope note

These are first steps to stabilise the situation and avoid dangerous mistakes. Finding the underlying fault (appliance vs wiring vs moisture vs protective device) usually needs proper testing by a competent electrician.

Important note

This is general safety information, not a professional diagnosis. If anything looks or smells like overheating, if there’s water involvement, or if you’re unsure, don’t touch it—get qualified help.

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