Common reasons your power stops working
Your electricity is out because of one of four things: a problem at the power plant or transmission lines serving your neighborhood, a problem on your street or in your building's wiring, a problem with your meter or breaker box, or a problem with the specific circuit or outlet you're trying to use. Most outages that affect multiple homes are utility problems. Most outages that affect only your home are breaker or wiring problems.
The fastest way to know which category you're in is to look outside. If your neighbors' lights are on, the problem is in your home. If your neighbors' lights are also off, the problem is with the power company.
Key Takeaways
- Check whether your neighbors have power — if they do, your problem is inside your home; if they don't, call your utility company to report an outage.
- A tripped breaker in your panel is the most common cause of power loss in a single home and can usually be reset by flipping the switch back to the on position.
- Storms, accidents that damage power lines, and equipment failures at substations cause neighborhood outages that you cannot fix yourself.
- A burning smell, scorch marks, or buzzing sounds near your breaker box or outlets mean you should turn off power at the main breaker and call an electrician instead of investigating further.
How to check if the problem is in your home
Walk to a window or outside and look at your neighbors' homes. If you see lights on, porch lights working, or any signs of power in nearby houses, your outage is isolated to your home. If the whole block is dark, the outage is a utility problem.
If only your home is out, go to your breaker box — usually in a basement, garage, attic, or utility closet. Open the door and look at the switches inside. One or more switches may be in the middle position or flipped to the off side. Any switch that is not aligned with the others has tripped. Flip it back to the on position. If the power comes back, that breaker was the problem. If nothing happens, move to the next step.
If you cannot find your breaker box, check your home's inspection report or ask a neighbor who has a similar house. If you find the box but all switches look normal and aligned, the problem may be outside your home after all — call your utility company.
What a tripped breaker means and when to call an electrician
A breaker trips to stop electricity from flowing when it detects too much current on that circuit. This usually happens because too many devices are plugged into one outlet or circuit, or because a device is faulty and drawing more power than it should. Resetting the breaker once is normal. If the same breaker trips again within hours or days, something is wrong with that circuit or a device on it.
Do not keep resetting a breaker that trips repeatedly. Instead, unplug everything on that circuit and reset it. If it stays on, plug devices back in one at a time until it trips again — that device is the problem. If the breaker trips even with nothing plugged in, call a licensed electrician. The same applies if you smell burning, see scorch marks around outlets or the breaker box, or hear buzzing sounds. These are signs of dangerous electrical problems.
What causes neighborhood outages
When multiple homes lose power at the same time, the cause is almost always with the utility company's equipment or lines. Storms knock down power lines or damage transformers. Cars hit utility poles. Equipment at the substation fails. Lightning strikes transmission lines. Scheduled maintenance sometimes requires the utility to shut off power to a section of the grid.
You cannot fix these problems yourself. The utility company's crews have to repair the damage or replace the equipment. Your job is to report the outage so the company knows where the problem is.
How to report an outage to your utility company
Call your utility company's outage line or use their website or app. Most utilities have a dedicated phone number for outages — it is usually on your bill or on the back of your meter. When you call, have your account number ready. The company will ask what you're experiencing and may already know about the outage if other customers have reported it.
If the outage is not yet known to the utility, your report helps them locate the problem faster. If it is already known, the company can give you an estimate of when power will be restored. Some utilities send text or email updates as repairs progress. Check your utility's website for a real-time outage map — many show which neighborhoods are affected and estimated restoration times.
What to do while you wait for power to return
If the outage is neighborhood-wide, there is nothing to do but wait. Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed — food will stay cold for several hours if you do not open them. If you have a generator, use it only outdoors and away from windows and doors, because generators produce carbon monoxide, which is deadly indoors.
If the outage is in your home and you have reset the breaker, the power should come back immediately. If it does not, and you have confirmed the problem is not in your neighbors' homes, do not keep resetting breakers. Call a licensed electrician to inspect your wiring and breaker box. Electrical problems that do not fix with a simple reset can be dangerous.
When to call an electrician versus the utility company
Call your utility company if your entire neighborhood is out, if only your home is out but you cannot find or reset your breaker box, or if you reset a breaker and power does not return. Call a licensed electrician if a breaker trips repeatedly, if you see or smell signs of damage near outlets or your breaker box, or if you reset the main breaker and power still does not come back.
If you are unsure whether the problem is yours or the utility's, call the utility first. They can tell you whether there is an outage in your area. If there is not, they will direct you to call an electrician. If there is, they will handle the repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to reset my breaker myself?
Yes, resetting a breaker by flipping the switch is safe. You are not touching any live wires — the switch is designed for this. However, if a breaker trips more than once, or if you see burning smells or scorch marks, stop and call an electrician instead.
How long do outages usually last?
Neighborhood outages caused by storms or accidents can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the damage and how many crews the utility has available. Scheduled maintenance outages are usually announced in advance and last a few hours. Outages in a single home caused by a tripped breaker return instantly when you reset it.
Should I turn off my main breaker during an outage?
You do not need to. Turning off the main breaker does not speed up repairs and may make it harder for you to reset power when it returns. Leave breakers as they are unless you smell burning or see damage.
What if my breaker box is locked or I cannot access it?
If you rent, contact your landlord or property manager — they have access and can check the breaker box for you. If you own the home and the box is locked, call a licensed electrician to open it safely and inspect it.
Can I use my phone or laptop during an outage?
Yes, as long as the device is charged or has battery. The outage only affects power from the wall outlet. Devices with built-in batteries will work until the battery drains.