Symptoms
- No outlet on the strip powers anything
- Power indicator light is off
- Devices worked fine on this strip before
- No visible damage to the strip
Likely causes
- CommonSurge component tripped and disabled the stripMany strips cut all outlet power once their surge protection is used up, as a safety feature.
- CommonWall outlet has no powerA tripped breaker or GFCI upstream will make any strip plugged into it appear dead.
- PossibleInternal fuse has blownSome strips have a small internal fuse that fails from an overload.
- Less commonPower switch or internal wiring has failedPhysical damage or age can break the switch mechanism itself.
What to do
- Test the wall outlet directly with a lamp or phone charger to confirm it has power.
- If the outlet is dead, check your home's breaker panel and any GFCI outlets on that circuit before blaming the strip.
- With the outlet confirmed live, check the strip's power switch and reset button, if it has one.
- Look for a small reset pinhole or fuse cover on the strip's body per its manual.
- If nothing brings the outlets back to life, retire the surge protector and replace it.
Tools and parts
- None required
Replacement surge protectorSearch: “surge protector power strip”
When to call a pro
If the wall outlet itself is dead and resetting the breaker doesn't fix it, call an electrician.
Safety
Use caution
If the strip smells burnt, looks scorched, or is warm to the touch, unplug it immediately and do not reuse it.