GFCI Outlet Will Not Reset

[Rommey]

Situation: I cannot reset a GFCI outlet.

Condition: I have a 15A Circuit Breaker that feeds to a 15A GFCI Outlet in basement. There are two loads circuits from the GFCI: one feeds two outlets in the basement and the other feeds the outlets in three bathrooms and garage.

I first thought it was just a bad GFCI outlet and replaced it with a like outlet. The new outlet also will not reset, so it’s not the GFCI outlet.

I then removed the load circuits and the GFCI will reset. I then connected just the circuit with the two outlets in the basement and the GFCI still will reset. I then removed the that circuit and connected the circuit feeding the upstairs and the GFCI will not reset.

I started disconnecting all the outlets on this circuit and the GFCI still will not reset. I was able to determine the order of the circuit so I could test each leg independently. This circuit goes from the GFCI --> Master Bath outlet (2nd floor) --> Second bath outlet (2nd floor) --> ½ Bath outlet (1st floor) --> Garage outlet.

I checked to see if the feed between the GFCI and the Master Bath outlet might be shorted to ground or to each other, but the meter indicates there is no continuity between either the black or white wire to ground or to each other. I also checked the wires between the outlets just to make sure they were good while I had everything opened and disconnected.

So, I essentially have a GFCI outlet which won’t reset if the feed going to the second floor is connected to it, even with nothing (outlets, lights, switches, etc.) connected at the other end. I would expect if the GFCI is not resetting and there is nothing connected on the end load circuit that I should see some indication with the meter when measuring the wiring for shorts.

What am I missing? It’s probably going to be something simple, but I am at a loss to figure what to check next. I'm open to suggestions before having to call an electrician.

Before you ask: this was working up until Friday morning, and this circuit is how it was installed by the builder in 1992; I haven’t done anything to the electrical except change the outlets when we remodeled the baths 7 years ago. And yes the GFCI LINE and LOAD wiring is connect to the correct terminals.

 

[vraiblonde]

No. If pressing the TEST button to trip it, then pressing in the RESET button does not work, either the GFCI is bad or there is a short/open somewhere. If the GFCI is already tripped, nothing will happen when you press TEST. Just try to RESET.

If you have things plugged in to that circuit, unplug them all just in case you have a bad device, then try to RESET again.

This did the trick The culprit was my string of deck lights.

 

[Sneakers]

Replace the GFCI with a standard outlet and use a line tester to make sure your hot/neutral/ground are all correct and not open or shorted. It sounds like the load wire going to the upstairs is faulted. Mice? Also check each individual outlet and switch. A wire may have come loose and is shorting to something.

 

[Rommey]

Replace the GFCI with a standard outlet and use a line tester to make sure your hot/neutral/ground are all correct and not open or shorted. It sounds like the load wire going to the upstairs is faulted. Mice? Also check each individual outlet and switch. A wire may have come loose and is shorting to something.

I checked the GFCI with no loads attached with the line tester and made sure the hot/neutral/ground were all correct even though I was sure they were correct.

There are no metal boxes at any of the outlets and the wiring is all romex, so nothing is shorted at any outlet box. Right now the load side of the GFCI is disconnected and all of the outlets on the circuit are physically disconnected so there is just the wiring at each outlet box sitting outside the box and each wire is taped to prevent a possible contact with anything else. With nothing connected the wiring all measures continuity end-to-end and the hot wire is not shorted to ground to the neutral wire. The neutral wire is not shorted to ground. If it were a vermin problem, I'd expect to see something out of the ordinary on the meter.

I just don't see what is making this part of the circuit trip the GFCI with nothing but wire connected and all outlets physically disconnected. And no abnormal indications on the meter.

 

[Sneakers]

I just don't see what is making this part of the circuit trip the GFCI with nothing but wire connected and all outlets physically disconnected

Tough one. You've done due diligence in testing. There are a bunch of YT on 'why does my GFCI pop', maybe some insight there. I'd still open every outlet and switch box, check the wires and examine each and every one of the devices with a meter.

so nothing is shorted at any outlet box.

A loose wire could contact poles of an outlet or switch, not just a box.

 

[LightRoasted]

For your consideration ...

Situation: I cannot reset a GFCI outlet.

Condition: I have a 15A Circuit Breaker that feeds to a 15A GFCI Outlet in basement. There are two loads circuits from the GFCI: one feeds two outlets in the basement and the other feeds the outlets in three bathrooms and garage.

I first thought it was just a bad GFCI outlet and replaced it with a like outlet. The new outlet also will not reset, so it’s not the GFCI outlet.

I then removed the load circuits and the GFCI will reset. I then connected just the circuit with the two outlets in the basement and the GFCI still will reset. I then removed the that circuit and connected the circuit feeding the upstairs and the GFCI will not reset.

I started disconnecting all the outlets on this circuit and the GFCI still will not reset. I was able to determine the order of the circuit so I could test each leg independently. This circuit goes from the GFCI --> Master Bath outlet (2nd floor) --> Second bath outlet (2nd floor) --> ½ Bath outlet (1st floor) --> Garage outlet.

I checked to see if the feed between the GFCI and the Master Bath outlet might be shorted to ground or to each other, but the meter indicates there is no continuity between either the black or white wire to ground or to each other. I also checked the wires between the outlets just to make sure they were good while I had everything opened and disconnected.

So, I essentially have a GFCI outlet which won’t reset if the feed going to the second floor is connected to it, even with nothing (outlets, lights, switches, etc.) connected at the other end. I would expect if the GFCI is not resetting and there is nothing connected on the end load circuit that I should see some indication with the meter when measuring the wiring for shorts.

What am I missing? It’s probably going to be something simple, but I am at a loss to figure what to check next. I'm open to suggestions before having to call an electrician.

Before you ask: this was working up until Friday morning, and this circuit is how it was installed by the builder in 1992; I haven’t done anything to the electrical except change the outlets when we remodeled the baths 7 years ago. And yes the GFCI LINE and LOAD wiring is connect to the correct terminals.

It's crazy that one GFCI outlet in the basement is feeding all those other locations. Change out that basement GFCI outlet with a simple duplex outlet. Then add GFCI's to those other locations. Make sure that the electrical feed is not in series, so, wire nut each white wire with a feeder wire and each black wire with a feeder wire to tie in to each new GFCI in each wet location. And that should fix your problem.

 

[Kinnakeet]

I think you have a problem.

 

[LightRoasted]

For your consideration ...

I first thought it was just a bad GFCI outlet and replaced it with a like outlet. The new outlet also will not reset, so it’s not the GFCI outlet.

GFCI's do fail. Just thought of something. GFCI outlets are input ~ output specific. If you wire the outlet with the power going to the load connection, the GFCI will not reset. Found that out myself, once, the hard way.

 

[Rommey]

Well, I spent yesterday going over everything again and carefully connected each wire and ensured they were tight and verified each outlet worked before going to the next one in the chain. The only thing I changed was the ground wire pigtail connected to the GFCI because it was a bit short. As I removed this wire from the wire nut it basically fell off. After properly replacing the pigtail, the GFCI stayed set. So it appears my problem was a poorly installed ground wire at the GFCI outlet. Why it start acting up n Saturday is anyones guess.

Thanks for the inputs and suggestions.

 

[bonehead1]

It's always good when it turns out simple.