I've got a GFCI outlet in the bathroom that controls 3 other outlets, the other bathroom and two outside outlets. The other night, during the middle of the night, the GFCI tripped. A hair dryer was plugged in but it was turned off at the time, 3A approx. The Christmas lights were plugged in to one of the outside outlets, but they were turned off. Nothing else was connected. I have not been able to reset the GFCI. I replaced it with a new GFCI last night. It still will not reset. Any ideas? Thanks.

Are the outside lights still plugged in an outlet? Even if the outside lights were off unplug that and try to reset G.F.I They are sensitive if the outside cord lights aren't happy

Signed 21 boat

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Turn the circuit breaker off and then back on, your breaker may have tripped and many GFCIs will not reset without voltage present.

Tev I hope he turned the breaker off when he put on the "new" G.F.I. on and didn't wire it hot!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 21boat

Are the outside lights still plugged in an outlet? even if the outside lights were off unplug that and try to reset G.F.I They are sensitive if the outside cord lights aren't happy

Signed 21 boat

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I unplugged the lights immediately that night and the circuit breaker was never tripped. I did, however, trip it to put in the new GFCI. I have checked all the things mentioned and still have a GFCI that will not reset. Thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

I had to ask this but the feed and load on the G.F.I. matters on what side you wired up. And what's the previous outlet in the circuit before the G.F.I and check that for power or is the feed right off the panel to GFI, Not to insult the flip breaker that was tripped be for to reset to you do the little push on the OFF to reset the breaker itself. Did you take the new GFI out to test for power direct to wires?

It looks like you have a minor ground fault somewhere. Most likely in the outside outlets. It's possible that rain could have entered into the outlets while lights were plugged in.

I would inspect all outlets and outlet boxes for moisture and other signs of water. Check for shorts, and any other thing out of the ordinary. I could be something as simple as a spider that has built a web between the hot screw on one of the outlets to the box, when it got wet, created a small path to ground. Not enough to shoot sparks, but enough to trip a GFCI.