A ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacle is reset with its RESET button after the condition that caused the trip is gone. If it will not reset or trips again, do not bypass it or keep forcing repeated resets.
Unplug connected appliances first
Unplug devices from the receptacle and from downstream outlets it may protect. This helps separate a faulty appliance from a problem with the circuit or the GFCI device itself.
Press RESET firmly
With dry hands and no water around the device, press RESET until it latches. Some models require incoming power to reset; if the circuit has no power, the button may not stay engaged.
Use TEST, then reset again
If the manufacturer instructs it, press TEST to confirm the protection trips, then press RESET again. If the TEST button does not produce the expected behavior, stop using the receptacle and have it checked.
A GFCI that trips again has a cause
Reconnect devices one at a time only when everything is dry and undamaged. If it trips with no loads, will not reset, feels hot, or smells burnt, leave the circuit unused and call a qualified electrician.
Sources
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — GFCIs Fact Sheet — Ground-fault circuit interrupter operation, testing, and reset behavior.