How to fix electric outlet?

Question

i tested the outlet and got an open ground reading

Answer 1

Check circuit.  Black, Pos.  White, Ground.  Green, Earth ground.  Something else?   Be more specific.

Answer 2

Turn the power off to the outlet, remove it and inspect the wiring. You may have an OLD circuit with no ground wire. If the ground wire is connected, start at the next outlet towards the panel and verify the ground. Keep going until you find why you have no ground.

Answer 3

Jim gave the most common answer, in that you could have old wiring that just doesn't HAVE a ground wire.  If, however, you've got new wiring, then check the rest of the outlets on that circuit.  If they're all bad, then you'd want to check the breaker panel itself, to see if the ground wire there is loose or missing.  Note - if you're NOT comfortable with sticking your hand into a box where there's live wires, then DON'T DO IT!  Hire an electrician.  (Remember, even when you kill the main breaker, the two contacts at the top where the main feed comes into the breaker box from the meter are STILL LIVE and WILL shock or kill you.)

Answer 4

Replace it.  If it did not have a ground previously, you can ground it to a water pipe,with a clamp..  Just be sure green goes to ground, white goes back to neutral and black goes to power.