Electrical Fault CheckHome electrical diagnostics

GFCI reset diagnostic

GFCI trips after rain

Outdoor or damp context with a recent water event points hard at moisture before device failure.

Stop and call a licensed electrician or emergency services now if there's smoke, sparks, a burning smell, heat, shock, or water near the problem. Otherwise it's safe to answer the questions below.

The likely readout

Most likely cause

Moisture / water intrusion creating a leakage path to ground

Ranked by fit to your answers
1
Moisture / water intrusion creating a leakage path to ground
65
2
A downstream wiring fault (damaged/pinched cable or a neutral-to-ground contact)
40
3
The GFCI device itself has failed (will not reset with power confirmed and no load)
35
SAFE NEXT CHECKInspect this and any downstream boxes for water/corrosion; dry and seal, and outdoors move to a weather-resistant GFCI with an in-use cover before retesting.
Where to stop. Resetting and plug-in testing are homeowner-safe. Opening the box, checking terminals, or rewiring line/load means live conductors — if you cannot do that safely with the power off at the breaker, stop and call a licensed electrician. Water plus electricity is a shock hazard; do not keep resetting a wet outlet. This is general information, not a quote and not a substitute for a licensed electrician.
CURRENT IMBALANCE hot ≠ neutral → leak to ground → trip hot neutral leakage to ground

Not your exact situation? Adjust the answers and re-rank →

What to do next

Try the safe next check above. If it doesn't resolve it, or would mean working on wiring or a panel, stop and call a licensed electrician — don't replace parts on a guess. Open the full tool to change any answer for your exact situation, or try a related check below.

source-governed · verified 2026-06-20

Sources

How this diagnostic works →