12 Common Electrical Problems and How to Fix Them

If you’re a homeowner, you already know maintenance seems never-ending. Electrical problems are a common task you’ll eventually encounter. It may seem daunting, but understanding common electrical issues helps you keep your property safe and avoid risks, such as fire or electrical-related injuries. And while fixing home electrical issues can be costly when you hire a pro, it’s better than ignoring or putting off problems that could lead to a fire or injury to you or others. Electrical problems in the home are serious, but proper maintenance can help you avoid bigger issues.

Using this guide: Generally, these are common electrical problems, but if at any point, you feel uncomfortable attempting any of these fixes, stop and call an electrician. Always choose the cautious approach over the risk of electrical shock or worse. Also note that the order below follows a general degree of difficulty. The first 4 issues are more DIY-friendly solutions; 5 through 8 are issues homeowners should not ignore; and 9 through 12, plus the bonus tip, are potential hazards that often may require the help of an electrician.

Read on to discover 12 common home electrical problems, what causes them, and what to do about them.

1. Dead Outlets

Dead outlets are often caused by a tripped breaker or a poor connection that can possibly arc and generate heat. Excessive heat buildup can trip a breaker, creating melted wires or outlets. Try resetting the breaker first.

You can try to replace the outlet, but if you encounter melted wires, be sure to have your electrical system inspected by an electrician immediately. Not sure why your outlet suddenly stopped working? Find the answer in our FAQ section below.

2. Broken Light Switch

A broken light switch is a DIY-friendly fix:

•  Turn off the circuit breaker for the whole house.
• Unscrew the faceplate and remove the light switch.
• Test the two wires connected to the screw with a digital multimeter tool to be sure there is no current. If it’s safe, disconnect the wires from the old light switch, then reconnect them to the new light switch.

Pro tip: Take a photo of the wiring before you disconnect the wires to help guide you when reconnecting them to the new switch.

3. Loose Outlet Plug

If you have a loose outlet plug, turn off the circuit breaker and carefully check the outlet using a voltage meter. Unscrew the cover plate and install outlet shims. This can help make the outlet flush with the wall.

For a full walkthrough, see our guide on how to replace an outlet.

4. Light Bulbs That Burn Out Rapidly

A light bulb can burn out quickly because of a loose connection in the circuit or the socket. If your lighting frequently fails, it could be due to nearby insulation overheating. Many light fixtures have built-in safety features that shut off if they overheat. Schedule an electrician to come inspect the sockets if rapid burnout continues.

5. Flickering Lights

If you have wondered, why do my lights flicker, the first thing to know is that you should not ignore this issue, particularly if your lights are flickering persistently. While flickering lights can be an issue as simple as a loose bulb in a fixture, they can also signal a serious electrical issue, such as a loose wiring connection, an overloaded circuit, or a failing light switch. Here’s how you can evaluate the issue and what to do next:

• When only one bulb flickers, start by tightening or replacing it.
• If multiple lights flicker (especially when a large appliance starts up), that signals a circuit or wiring issue that can be a fire hazard. Contact an electrician to determine the cause.
• If you experience whole-home flickering, it may be a sign that there’s a problem with the utility connection. Report this issue to your utility provider right away.

6. Breakers That Trip Often

When your circuit breakers trip often, it means your wiring is having trouble handling the electrical load. You may need an additional circuit or an upgrade to your electrical service. Consult an electrician for power issues before attempting any circuit panel work.

Read more about how to know if your circuit breaker is faulty.

7. Simple Short Circuit

Short circuits usually happen with appliances like hair dryers. That’s why most hair dryers have a reset button. If you have an appliance that consistently short-circuits, then the issue is not your wiring; instead, the device is faulty. If multiple appliances are short-circuiting, however, bad wiring is the likely cause. Faulty wiring should always be addressed by a licensed electrician.

8. Overlamping

Overlamping is when you use a light bulb with a higher wattage than the lamp is designed to handle. Overlamped fixtures can overheat and become a fire hazard, although correcting the issue is as simple as replacing the bulb with the appropriate wattage. For older fixtures, using a 60-watt bulb is generally recommended as a precaution.

9. Hot Outlets and Switches

Outlets or switches that let off heat (other than dimmer switches) are always a safety concern. If you find a warm outlet or switch, you should turn off the circuit and contact an electrician immediately.

Pro tip: Dimmer switches tend to feel hot to the touch. If you have any concerns, call an electrician to check whether the switch could be overloaded.

10. No GFCI Outlets

A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a special kind of outlet with a built-in safety feature that can shut down a circuit within milliseconds when it detects an imbalance. GFCI outlets are essential for safety in or near wet areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens, because they can shut down circuits in 4 milliseconds or less. Your local or state building codes will typically require GFCIs for any outlets within six feet of a sink or water source.

To increase safety, many homeowners replace older receptacles with GFCIs that can be bought for around $12 at home supply stores. A quick browser search will provide you with videos to follow, making it easier to DIY this task.

Pro tip: While you can use GFCI outlets anywhere in a home, building codes require that you use a GFCI in the garage, basement, and any outdoor outlets.

11. Uncovered Junction Boxes

An uncovered junction box can expose people or pets to wires, potentially causing dangerous shocks. A junction box cover can occasionally need to be replaced, yet fortunately, they’re inexpensive and easy to find.

12. Too Few Outlets

Extension cords and power strips running across every room in your home mean you probably need more outlets. Until you can schedule an electrician to install additional outlets, a quick, temporary solution is to use 14-gauge or thicker extension cords. Thinner cords can overheat and cause fires.

An electrician will typically charge around $150 to $300 or so per outlet, and double that for new outlets installed on the second floor or higher.

Related: Adding more outlets? Be sure to consider upgrading some electrical outlets to include USB ports.

Bonus: Repairing a Cut or Damaged Extension Cord

If an electrical issue stems from a cut or damaged extension cord with exposed wires, consider yourself lucky. Exposed wires in a damaged extension cord are a fire hazard, but fortunately, fixing one is easy:

• Unplug both ends of the cord. Then, cleanly cut off the old plug, carefully remove about an inch and a half of the outer shielding, and strip each wire with a wire stripper.
• Make sure each wire is twisted tightly at both ends.
• Marry the wires to one of the three clamps on the connector of the new plug you’re using, ensuring each clamp matches the wire’s color (typically black, white, and green).
• Carefully and fully tighten the clamps to secure the wires in the connector.
• Slide the new plug cap over the connector, tighten any outer screws on the cap, and you’ll have a repaired extension cord.

Pro tip: Never use electrical tape to repair exposed wires in an extension cord.

When Should I Call an Electrician?

If you ever feel that an electrical task is beyond your skill level or that you don’t have the right tools, do not attempt home electrical repairs yourself. Any problem in this article noted as requiring an electrician shouldn’t be attempted as a DIY project. Signs that always require a professional include:

• Burning smells or visible scorch marks near outlets or switches
• Outlets or switches that are hot to the touch (unless it’s a dimmer switch)
• Repeated breaker trips, especially with nothing plugged in
• Melted or discolored wiring

Discover How First American Can Help

First American Home Warranty plans include coverage for your home’s electrical system, including key components such as panels, sub-panels, wiring, circuit breakers, outlets, switches, and more. When they fail due to normal wear and use, simply submit a service request via phone or online, and we’ll assign a prescreened independent service provider to come to your home to confirm coverage and begin the repair/replacement process.

In addition to electrical systems, our home warranty coverage can also cover your plumbing and HVAC systems, as well as major home appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, ranges, cooktops, washers, dryers, and more. Homeowners rely on our coverage for budget protection and peace of mind when their covered household items unexpectedly break.

Learn more about the benefits our home warranties offer and get a free home warranty quote today!

FAQs About Common Electrical Problems

Why do my lights flicker?

Flickering lights are usually caused by a loose bulb or wiring connection, an overloaded circuit, or a failing light switch. If only one bulb flickers, start by tightening or replacing it. If multiple lights flicker (especially when a large appliance starts up), that signals a circuit or wiring issue that an electrician should evaluate. Whole-home flickering may indicate a problem with the utility connection and should be reported to your utility provider.

Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?

A circuit breaker trips when the load on that circuit exceeds the wiring's capacity to safely handle it. The most common causes are overloaded circuits, short circuits, or ground faults. A single trip that doesn’t repeat is usually a temporary overload. If a breaker trips repeatedly (especially with nothing plugged in), call a licensed electrician to evaluate it. Never tape a tripped breaker in the ON position.

Why is my outlet not working?

A dead outlet is often caused by a tripped breaker or a tripped GFCI outlet elsewhere on the same circuit. First, check your breaker panel and reset any tripped breakers. Then look for a GFCI outlet nearby, in a bathroom, kitchen, garage, or exterior wall, and press its RESET button. This can restore power to outlets on the same circuit. If neither fix works, the outlet will likely have a loose or failed internal connection and should be inspected by an electrician.

Does a home warranty cover electrical problems?

Yes. First American Home Warranty plans include coverage for your home’s electrical system when it fails due to normal wear and use. When a covered electrical issue occurs, submit a service request online 24/7, and a prescreened electrician will be assigned to help diagnose the issue, confirm coverage, and begin the covered repair.

The contents of this article are provided for general guidance only. First American Home Warranty does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages as a result of using this information.

Please be aware that if you disassemble a covered home system or appliance, it can invalidate your home warranty or manufacturer's warranty.