Home electrical
How to test and reset a GFCI outlet
- 4 sources
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Quick answer
A GFCI outlet has two buttons, TEST and RESET, and Leviton says to use them once a month. Plug in a lamp, press TEST (the lamp should go off), then press RESET (it should come back on). If RESET won't stay in, the outlet is telling you something: no power, a fault, reversed wiring, or a failed device.
If Leviton's steps say replace it (Leviton models):
Leviton GFTR1-W tamper-resistant GFCILeviton GFNT1-W slim GFCIThe monthly test (Leviton)
- Plug in a lamp and turn it on.
- Press TEST. The RESET button should pop out and the lamp should go off.
- Press RESET. It should latch and the lamp should come back on.
- If it doesn't respond that way, Leviton says the outlet should be replaced. If you can't push RESET in, Leviton says the GFCI is damaged or wired incorrectly. See GFCI won't reset.
Why RESET won't stay in
Leviton's buyer's guide says its GFCIs have a reset lockout: the RESET button won't engage if the line and load wires are reversed, if there's no power, or if the internal test fails. That's a safety feature, not a stuck button.
Guides in this section
Wiring is a job for the breaker off. Turn off power at the panel before touching any wiring. Leviton's guides point to a licensed electrician for wiring you aren't comfortable correcting, and for trips that keep happening.
How we work: steps come from Leviton's GFCI buyer's guide, its LED diagnosis sheet and its homeowner guides. We don't test electrical devices ourselves. Sources are listed below.
Questions people ask
How do I test a GFCI outlet?
Leviton says to plug in a lamp, press TEST (the lamp goes off), then press RESET (the lamp comes back on). Do it monthly.
Why won't my GFCI reset?
Leviton's reset lockout stops it resetting when there's no power, a fault, reversed line and load wires, or an internal failure.
Do self-test GFCIs still need testing?
Leviton says GFCIs must be tested monthly, and a manual test adds protection on self-test models.
Sources
Last checked Oct 23, 2026. Details come from Leviton's GFCI guides, LED diagnosis sheet and product pages. Turn off the breaker before touching wiring, and call a licensed electrician if unsure.