If the breaker feels hot or the panel smells like burning, leave it off and call a licensed electrician. Same if it trips the instant you reset it with nothing plugged in. Never open the panel cover.
What you'll need
You probably have these
Tick them off as you find them.
The fix
- 1
Unplug everything on the circuit
Turn off and unplug everything in the rooms that lost power.
You'll know it's right whenNothing is drawing power on that circuit.
- 2
Reset the breaker
Push the tripped breaker all the way to OFF, then firmly back to ON.
You'll know it's right whenIt clicks and stays on.
- 3
Add things back one at a time
Plug in one device and turn it on. Wait a minute before the next one.
You'll know it's right whenThe lights stay on so far.
- 4
Watch for the trip
Note which device is running when it trips.
You'll know it's right whenYou know which device or combo pushes it over.
- 5
Move the big users
Plug heaters, hair dryers, and microwaves into outlets on different circuits.
You'll know it's right whenEverything runs at once with no trip.
- 6
Test a suspect device alone
If one device trips the breaker even when it's the only thing on, stop using it.
You'll know it's right whenYou've found a faulty device, and it's time to repair or replace it.
- 7
Stop if it trips with nothing on
If it trips with nothing plugged in, leave it off.
You'll know it's right whenThat points to a wiring problem. Call a licensed electrician.
Lights on, heater running, nothing tripping. That's a solved circuit.
Why it happens
A breaker is a safety switch that shuts off before wires get too hot. An overload means too many things are pulling power on one circuit. A short circuit means a hot wire is touching something it shouldn't. A ground fault means electricity is leaking out, often through water. In every case, the breaker is protecting you.
Edie's tipGive space heaters their own outlet, and plug them straight into the wall, never into a power strip or extension cord.
What not to do
- Installing a bigger breaker
Never do this. The wires are sized for the breaker, and a bigger one lets them overheat. That's a fire risk.
- Holding the breaker on
Taping it or holding it in place defeats the whole safety system.
- Plugging heaters into power strips
A heater pulls a lot of power. Power strips and extension cords can overheat.
- Opening the panel
The panel has live parts even with the main off. That's a licensed electrician's job.
When to call a pro
Call a licensed electrician if the breaker trips instantly with nothing plugged in, feels hot, or smells like burning. Call too if it buzzes or crackles, or if your panel is old. Call too if it keeps tripping after you've spread out the big devices.
Questions
How much can one circuit handle?
Many household circuits are 15 or 20 amps. A 1,500 watt space heater uses most of a 15 amp circuit by itself. Add a hair dryer and it trips.
How do I know which outlets are on which breaker?
Flip one breaker off and test outlets with a lamp. Label the panel as you go. It's worth doing once.
My panel is old. Should I worry?
Some older panel brands, like Federal Pacific and Zinsco, have known problems. Have a licensed electrician take a look.
What are the breakers with test buttons?
Those are GFCI or AFCI breakers. Besides overloads, they also trip on ground faults or arcing. If one keeps tripping after you spread out the big devices, call an electrician.
Written by the DIY Project team and checked against manufacturer instructions. How we check
Updated October 2, 2026.
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