No Reset Button On GFCI Outlet: How to Reset Without Buttons
When it comes to resetting different features on an RV, etc. sometimes you have a process to go through. This process can be annoying at times as you have to wait for 5, 10, or more minutes while the resetting is done. Not so with the GFCI outlets.
There are some GFCI outlets that won’t have the reset button on them. That is because they are on a circuit that is governed by one that does. To reset those without, you have to find the GFCI outlet that monitors the whole circuit and then press the button on it.
The GFCI system is very simple and easy to work with. To read more about this system, just continue to read our article. It has the information you need to reset your outlets and get them all working again. Take a few minutes to see how this information helps you solve this issue.
GFCI Outlet Reset Without Buttons 101
Where is The Reset Button on Outlets?
Most regular outlets do not have a reset button. Their job is just to supply a location where you can plug in your appliances and other electrical devices. These outlets all run on a circuit and you will not see a reset button on any of them.
Usually, there will be one GFCI outlet that watches over one specific circuit. That is the one that will have the reset button. When it pops, all you have to do is push the button back in and the circuit should operate normally.
The questions are, where is this specific outlet located, and which circuit doe sit monitor? Those questions should be answered by your manual. The exact location can be the bathroom, the kitchen, or even somewhere else. But usually, they are located near water sources.
One owner had his in his bathroom and it monitored the kitchen outlets. Most likely, it also monitored any more outlets in the bathroom. Check your manual for its location or just spend some time looking around your RV for all of them.
Do All GFCI Outlets Have Reset Buttons?
Not necessarily. Some will and some will not. It all depends on where their place in the circuit is. The ones that do not will not be considered nor wired as the main GFCI outlet.
When the power goes off to some of your outlets, you have to trace the line to the main one and push the reset button. This is the easy part as the next step will be to trace down the source of the power failure.
If the reset button does not reset the system, remove the main GFCI outlet and replace it with a regular one. If power is restored, then the main outlet is bad and needs to be replaced with another GFCI outlet with a reset button.
If it doesn’t, you have to go down the line until you find the source of the problem and repair it. This can take time as it may not be an outlet that is causing the problem. You could have a loose connection somewhere, a bad wire, or just too much electricity flowing through the system
Why Does My GFCI Not Have a Reset Button?
The reason it does not have a reset button is that it is not the main GFCI outlet that monitors the circuit. You only need one GFCI outlet with a reset button to govern all the outlets on the same circuit.
2 won’t work as it is just too much hassle to have on one line. You do not need more than one either. 1 is enough to protect the circuit and keep it from being damaged.
But that does not mean you do not have more than one GFCI in your RV, etc. There could be one in a cabinet that monitors the circuit the microwave and other appliances may be on.
When you reset one outlet and everything but the problem area works, then you have a second GFCI outlet that tripped and needs to be reset. The trick is finding it. Do not be afraid to open cabinet doors or drawers or look behind furniture.
Those other outlets could be anywhere. Finding them can take some time. Once you do find them, then you have to test them and if it is good, you have to find the other outlets on the same circuit and test them
How do You Reset a GFCI That Does Not Have a Reset Button?
You can’t. The GFCI outlet needs to have a reset button to reset it properly. When you find that the outlet does not have one, you have to go on a nice search to find the one that does have that reset button.
There is no real need to have more than one GFCI outlet with a reset button on it. One will do the job and when it is good, it will do its job. That job is protecting all the other outlets on the circuit.
Then the other search kicks in. A good wire diagram should show you which circuit is where and which GFCI outlet has the reset button. Just follow the wiring diagram to find all the outlets on the system so you can check each one till you find the problem.
The only time the search for the source doesn’t take a long time is when the main GFCI outlet is the source. To test it, just put a regular outlet in its place and see if everything works.
If it does, then you just get a new GFCI outlet with a reset button and install it.
Resetting The GFCI Outlet With no Button
When you tackle this task, make sure you turn the power off. Even though the GFCI outlet was triggered, it doe snot mean you may not get a shock. The main GFCI outlet is blown but that does not mean that the breaker has blown as well.
Double-check the breaker governing that circuit and make sure it is turned off. Protect yourself at all costs when dealing with electricity. You do not want any surprises as even 120 AC can cause you some harm.
Another issue you need to worry about. If you plug in a hair dryer or other small appliance and those electrical devices work, then you have another problem on your hands.
If the GFCI outlet works although it has been tripped, then be careful. The GFCI outlet was wired wrong and you still have power going through the system. This is one situation you need to check the breaker before you remove any screws or wires.
There is also one other option in this situation. It is called a GFCI breaker and your outlets may not have a reset button. Instead, there is a breaker in your panel box that was tripped.
Just flip the breaker back on and you should be good to go.
Will GFCI Reset Without Power?
The word is that it is possible and also not possible to do this. When the plug is installed initially, you need the power to test and reset it. It is just the way the outlet is designed to work.
But after you have installed it and the power fails for whatever reason, you can simply hit test and reset to get it back working again. There is such a thing called a faceless GFCI outlet. This is a simple faceplate with no outlet openings in it.
The only thing you will see will be the test and reset button. This option is there just to protect the circuit and has no other power duties.
Why GFCI Won't Reset?
The reason it doesn’t reset is that the problem is not solved by simply pushing the reset button. When you face this situation, you know you have to begin a search for the source.
You could be lucky and find the source right away. That would be when the actual outlet is bad. If it is good, then you need to check for moisture, dust, and bad connections with wires.
Or you need to test all the outlets to see if they have failed and need replacing. A circuit tester should be used to help you find the problem. Finally, a tripped breaker may be the cause of your problem so check that box first.
Some Final Words
It is not hard to reset a GFCI circuit. Just push a button and if all is well, the circuit will have its power returned. You do not need a button on every outlet as one main outlet will work for them all.
GFCI outlets are there to protect you. When they do not reset, you know you have a more serious problem on your hand. That is when you get your electrical tools out and start investigating.
