Electric Outlet Repair Services for Dead, Loose and Tripping Outlets
Electric Wire Services repairs dead, loose, warm and sparking outlets and switches in California, New Jersey, Texas and Washington. Outlet repair starts at $80 per outlet, and switch repair starts at $80 per switch.
- Licensed and insured
Company licensed and insured; our electricians are licensed
- Call center 24/7
A live person answers right away
- Callback in five minutes
We aim to call you back within five minutes after the form
- Same-day service
Often available, depending on electrician availability
- Google rating
4.8 to 5 across 11 California listings, about 628 reviews
A dead outlet is not always a bad outlet. The cause can be a tripped GFCI somewhere else, a loose connection or a fault in the wiring behind it.
Our licensed and insured electricians check the supply before they change a part, so outlet and switch repair fixes the cause and not just the face plate. See all our electrical services.
Which outlet and switch problems need an electrician?
- An outlet is dead, but the breaker has not tripped
- Half a room, or half the house, has lost power
- A switch needs replacing or no longer works
- Plugs fall out of the outlet
- An outlet is warm, discolored, buzzing or smells of burning
- A GFCI trips or will not reset
If an outlet sparks, smells burnt or feels hot, stop using it and call. Do not touch scorched parts. The Electrical Safety Foundation International lists “Warm or discolored wall plates” and “Cracking, sizzling, or buzzing from receptacles” among its warning signs.
Not sure whether it is your utility or your wiring? If the whole property has no power, call your utility first. If only some outlets or rooms are out, the cause is likely inside the home, and an electrician can trace it.
How much does outlet repair cost?
How much does outlet repair cost? Many people ask whether repairs are charged by the hour or per outlet. Ours start per outlet and per switch. This is a starting price, and the final cost depends on the job
| Job | Starting price | What the price covers |
|---|---|---|
| Outlet repair | From $80 per outlet | A simple repair or replacement of an existing outlet |
| Switch repair | From $80 per switch | A straightforward switch replacement |
| A dead circuit or burnt wiring | Assessed on the visit | A wiring fault behind the outlet changes the work |
- Whether the fault is at the outlet or in the wiring behind it
- How easy the outlet is to reach
- The parts the repair needs
- How many outlets and switches are affected
Why does my GFCI outlet keep tripping?
A GFCI trips when it senses current leaking where it should not. Moisture, a worn device or a fault in the wiring further down the circuit can all cause it. If it trips with nothing plugged in, or will not reset, an electrician should look at the device and the wiring.
What helps the electrician:
- Note what was plugged in when it tripped
- Note whether it rained or the area was damp
- If it will not reset, leave it off
What did we find on real outlet repair jobs?
A socket that held plugs loosely
A socket in a small enclosed work area held plugs loosely. Its contact springs were worn. We replaced the receptacle, and the connections stayed secure. Stop using outlets that arc or discolor.
A bathroom outlet that would not reset
A bathroom outlet would not reset. The load cable had a neutral fault. We repaired the branch, and the protection reset and tested correctly.
A kitchen outlet that crackled
A kitchen outlet crackled because a loose back connection was arcing. We renewed the damaged device and its termination, and the appliance ran stably again. Avoid pulling on leads to move or remove plugged-in equipment.
Its contact springs were worn; we replaced the receptacle. A damaged outlet can have a fault behind it as well as at its face. We check the connected wiring before fitting a replacement.
What happens on an outlet repair visit?
Call and we answer right away, day or night. Send the form instead, and we aim to call you back within five minutes.
The call center gives you a time slot and a price estimate for what you describe.
You book, and we adjust the timeline if you need to move it.
A licensed and insured electrician checks the outlet, the supply and the wiring behind it before replacing anything.
If you accept the price, the repair is done on the spot, or on a day you choose.
Same-day appointments are often available, depending on electrician availability.
If you tried a repair yourself and it went wrong, tell the call center what you changed. The electrician then checks it safely.
Diagnostic visit or quote for an outlet repair?
| Your situation | How we start | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| An outlet or switch with an unknown fault | A diagnostic visit to find the cause | A diagnostic visit can carry a charge. It varies and is usually under $50. |
| You know exactly what to replace | A price estimate from the call center | Outlet repair and switch repair each start at $80; the electrician confirms on site |
| Repeated tripping or scorched wiring that points to a circuit or panel problem | A free quote | Free quotes apply to circuit breaker replacement, panel upgrade, panel installation, EV charger installation and rewiring |
Finding a fault takes time and skill, which is why a diagnostic visit can carry a charge. Once the cause is known, the electrician explains the repair and the price before work begins.
Who repairs the outlets, and what does safety guidance say?
Electric Wire Services is a licensed and insured electrical company, and every electrician we send is licensed.
The U.S. Fire Administration advises: “Replace wall outlets if plugs do not fit snugly”.
Whether a repair needs a permit depends on the city and the job. The electrician tells you what applies.
Outlet and switch repair questions: dead outlets, sparks and GFCIs
Why is my outlet not working when the breaker is fine?
Common reasons include a tripped GFCI elsewhere, a loose connection or a failed outlet. If you cannot find the cause, an electrician traces the circuit.
My outlet is sparking or smells burnt. What should I do?
Stop using it, do not touch scorched parts and call. Emergency electrician work starts at $150 per hour, a low-end after-hours labor rate that may not be a full repair price.
Can you replace a switch or dimmer I already bought?
Tell the call center what you bought. The electrician checks that it suits your wiring and your lamps before fitting it. Dimmers and LED lamps need to be compatible.
Do you give an estimate before coming?
The call center gives a price estimate when you book, and the electrician confirms it after inspecting.
Can you come the same day?
Same-day appointments are often available, depending on electrician availability. Our live call center takes calls 24/7.
Where do we repair outlets, and what else comes with it?
Outlet repair is available across our service areas, including:
See where we work.