A socket isn't working: find out why without opening it
When a socket has no power, the socket itself is often fine and the fault is in the appliance, the extension lead or a tripped breaker in the fuse box (cuadro eléctrico). We'll narrow it down in five questions, from what you can check by eye to what needs tools. No covers come off here: you test, look and answer.
Step 1 of 4
Safety first. Can you see or notice any of this on the socket?
Look at the socket up close, without putting anything in it. Black or brown marks around the holes, melted or warped plastic, a burning smell, the socket feeling hot when you bring your hand near, or a crackle when you plug something in. If you see any of these signs, stop testing appliances in it.
Why a socket stops working
When a socket has no power, the socket itself is often the last thing to fail. The usual suspects come first: the appliance, the extension lead or adaptor, and a tripped breaker in the fuse box. Only once all that is ruled out is it time to think about the socket itself: a worn mechanism, a loose wire behind it or a broken line that cuts power to several sockets at once.
How to tell if it's the socket or the appliance
The test is simple and needs no tools. Plug the appliance into another socket you know works, and plug something you know works, such as a lamp or a phone charger, into the suspect socket. If the appliance doesn't work anywhere else either, the socket is fine. If it was on an extension lead, try it straight into the wall: extension leads fail far more often than sockets.
One socket or the whole line
If several sockets in the same area fail, check the fuse box. A tripped circuit breaker cuts power to its whole circuit, and a tripped RCD (diferencial) can cut power to half the flat. If it trips again when you flip it up, the power keeps tripping test helps you find the cause. If nothing is down and they still have no power, the line is broken somewhere and the point has to be found by measuring.
When not to touch the socket
Black marks, melted plastic, a burning smell, sparks or a socket that's hot with nothing plugged in are signs of a connection that's overheating. Switch off that circuit's breaker and don't use it again. To take the cover off any socket, first switch off the breaker and check there's no power. And under the Low Voltage Electrotechnical Regulation (Reglamento Electrotécnico de Baja Tensión), low-voltage installations are carried out by registered installation companies.
What we do
Tell us what's happening on WhatsApp or through the form, with a photo of the socket and of the open fuse box. We give you a fixed price in writing, usually in under two hours, and an independent professional who works with us, an electrician by trade, comes to your home. We cover Valencia city and l'Horta.
Frequently asked questions
Why does one socket not work when the others do?
If the sockets next to it work fine, it's usually that particular socket failing: the mechanism no longer grips the plug, a wire has come loose from its terminal or the back box has come away from the wall. Before calling, use a lamp to check the fault is in the socket and not in the appliance or the extension lead you had plugged in.
Why do several sockets lose power at once?
Because they're usually on the same circuit. If the sockets in one room or the kitchen fail, check the fuse box for a tripped circuit breaker or RCD and flip it up once. If it trips again, leave it down. If nothing is down and they still don't work, the line is broken somewhere and needs measuring.
Is a black socket or one that smells of burning dangerous?
Yes. Black marks, melted plastic or a burning smell mean a connection is overheating inside. Unplug whatever is connected if you can do it without touching the area, switch off that circuit's breaker and don't use it again until a professional has checked it. If there's smoke or a flame, cut the main switch and call 112.
Can I replace a socket myself?
The first thing is to switch off that circuit's breaker and check there's no power before taking the cover off. Bear in mind that Spain's Low Voltage Electrotechnical Regulation states that installations are carried out by registered installation companies. If the socket is burnt or several fail at once, it isn't a simple mechanism swap and a professional should take a look.