Why There's A Red Light On Your Outlet

Have you ever spotted something in your home and wondered if it was a normal phenomenon or something you need to get checked out by a pro? A great example of this is the appearance of a red light on one — or multiple — of your outlets. And, believe it or not, knowing what a red light on your outlet means and how to fix it is actually really important for keeping you and your household safe from electrical shocks.

A red light on an outlet is typically a signal that there is something amiss with the ground fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI. This is one type of electrical outlet commonly found in every home since the 1970s. It is usually located anywhere in the home where outlets may come in contact with water, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or mudrooms. They work by identifying a ground fault — when the electricity is taking a path towards the ground that it isn't supposed to, such as through a human — and switching off immediately. This prevents people from getting shocked by cutting off the electricity before it has a chance to travel through them. When a GFCI shows a red light, this could be because of a few different reasons. First, if the light is solid, this indicates that the outlet has been tripped, meaning that it needs to be reset. On the other hand, if it is blinking, this generally suggests that there is an issue with the wiring in the GFCI that needs to be looked at or the model is expired. So, let's take a look at some ways to fix the likely cause of the red light on your outlet.

If there is a solid red light on your GFCI outlet, this is a sign that the equipment has done its job and cut off the supply of electricity when it recognized a potentially dangerous inconsistency in the power. To restore it to its normal function, press the button labelled 'reset'. If the light stays on, you can also try pressing the button labelled 'test' followed by the reset button. If you notice that the light consistently goes red when you use a specific appliance such as a hair dryer, this could be because the appliance has an old wire that is causing the GFCI to trip whenever it is used. On the other hand, if the red light keeps appearing at different times, this could be because there is moisture present in the outlet, a sign you need to call an electrician to come have a look at it.

If the red light is flashing or it does not go away after pressing the test and reset buttons, then you could be dealing with a GFCI that has been improperly wired. While these outlets should be put in by electricians with the proper qualifications, they can sometimes end up being installed with the two connections in the wrong places. While you may be able to correct this error yourself, the safest option is always to call an electrician as you do not want to risk having an ineffective outlet in high-risk areas of the home. Finally, if the wiring is correct, this could mean that the GFCI has outlived its 10 to 15-year lifespan and needs to be replaced altogether.