Certain outlets have stopped working - why?

Question

I first noticed that two of those under cabinet lights on either side of my stove were no longer working after recently changing the light bulbs. Then, the light for my basement stairs. Now the garage gets no power. What could be happening? I've tried to reset each breaker, but its not fixing the problem. Not sure if it matters, but the lights on the side of the stove are hard-wired. the basement stairs are behind stove and lights. not sure where or how the power goes out to garage. wiring was done less than 5 years ago.

Answer 1

Walk around the house (and garage if attached) and look for an outlet that is different than the rest. It will have a small red and a black button inbetween the outlets. This is a GFI outlet and they can trip just as the breaker does. The buttons will be labeled test and reset. Push the reset one. Then check the other outlets for power. These outlets are required near water fixtures and are a safety item.

Answer 2

Have you also tried to reset GFI breakers that are on some outlets?  My house seems to have a lot of these, and they encompass unexpected outlets.

These are the red & black small push button switches on some outlets.  Both the red and the black should be pushed in, if one pops out, the power is cut off.

Answer 3

Sounds like a situation I had.

Was the 5 year job done by an electrician?

My house it wasn't and the wire nuts in the junction boxes werent done right.A real hazard I had.If a junction box is in the circut, check to see if all connections were done right.

Answer 4

This is in addition to the GCFI suggestions. All outlets in the line after the GCFI will also be under the control of that GFCI. So if it is tripped it will shut down the rest of the outlets in that line.