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uk Home & property emergencies whole house power outage • no electricity at home • sudden power cut • power cut in my house • power outage only my property • lights out but neighbours ok • neighbours also no power • fuse box tripped • trip switch off • rcd keeps tripping • consumer unit reset • electricity off suddenly • possible local blackout • power cut at night • power cut and no internet • power cut and heating off • fridge freezer during outage • downed power line nearby • burning smell electrics

What to do if…
your whole home loses power and you are unsure whether it is just your property

Short answer

First, check whether it’s just your home by safely checking your consumer unit (fuse box) and whether neighbours/streetlights are also out. If it looks like a wider power cut, call 105 (free) in England/Scotland/Wales to reach your local electricity network operator (DNO).

Do not do these things

  • Don’t touch or move any fallen power cables or anything tangled in them (fences, branches).
  • Don’t keep repeatedly forcing switches back on if the trip switch/RCD immediately trips again (that can indicate a fault).
  • Don’t use candles if you can avoid it (fire risk). Use a torch/phone light instead.
  • Don’t use barbecues, camping stoves, or outdoor heaters indoors.
  • Don’t open the fridge/freezer repeatedly “to check” (you’ll lose cold much faster).

What to do now

  1. Pause and do a quick safety scan. If you smell burning, see sparks, hear buzzing/arcing, or there’s smoke:
    • Turn off power at the main switch on your consumer unit if it’s safe to reach, and leave the area.
    • Call 999 if there’s fire/smoke or immediate danger.
  2. Check whether it’s just your property.
    • Look outside: are neighbours’ lights or streetlights out?
    • If it’s daytime, check for signs like powered devices in nearby homes or shops (if visible).
  3. Check your consumer unit (fuse box) safely.
    • Find the consumer unit and see if the main switch or a trip switch/RCD has moved to OFF.
    • If a trip switch is OFF: unplug/turn off major appliances (kettle, toaster, heaters, washing machine) and then try switching the trip switch back ON once.
    • If it won’t stay on, stop trying—leave it OFF and move to step 4.
  4. If it seems like a wider power cut: contact the network operator (DNO).
    • England/Scotland/Wales: call 105 (free).
    • Northern Ireland: call 03457 643643 (NI Electricity Networks).
    • They can usually confirm whether there’s a known fault and give updates.
  5. Protect your home and reduce risk while you wait.
    • Turn off/unplug sensitive electronics (TVs, computers) to reduce surge damage when power returns.
    • Leave one lamp switched on so you’ll notice when power is back.
    • Keep fridge/freezer doors shut as much as possible.
  6. If anyone relies on electricity for health or accessibility needs, act early.
    • If a medical device becomes unsafe without power and you can’t make it safe quickly, call 999.
    • If the situation is stable but you need extra help during an outage, ask your supplier/DNO about the Priority Services Register (this can provide extra support/communications, but it doesn’t guarantee faster restoration).
  7. If it’s only your property and the consumer unit won’t reset:
    • Treat it as a home electrical fault. Use torches, keep one room “set up” safely, and contact your landlord/letting agent or a qualified electrician.
    • If you’re renting and the home is unsafe (for example, no safe lighting/heating for someone vulnerable), tell the landlord/agent clearly that it’s urgent.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide right now about compensation, insurance claims, or replacing spoiled food—focus on safety and getting accurate outage info first.
  • You don’t need to “save everything” in the fridge/freezer immediately; first keep doors closed and stabilise lighting/charging.
  • You don’t need to troubleshoot every appliance—one safe consumer-unit check is enough for now.

Important reassurance

Power cuts and trip switches are common and often resolve without anything “seriously wrong.” Doing one calm check (neighbours + consumer unit) and then contacting the right service is enough to get you out of uncertainty quickly.

Scope note

This is first-step guidance for the first minutes/hours. If the outage is prolonged, or you suspect a wiring fault, you may need your network operator, landlord, electrician, or emergency services depending on what you find.

Important note

This is general information, not electrical, legal, or medical advice. If you see fire/smoke, suspect immediate danger, or a medical need cannot be met safely without power, contact emergency services.

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