The garage is a unique part of the property.
It’s often ignored until one of the electrical components stops working. This includes a GFCI outlet that has been installed there.
With this in mind, you will have to figure out why the GFCI keeps tripping in the garage.
The GFCI keeps tripping in the garage because the outlet is faulty, there’s too much moisture near the outlet, or there’s a ground fault in the circuit. To fix the issue, turn off the power, remove the GFCI outlet, inspect the wires, reset the circuit, and install a dehumidifier to reduce moisture.
You will have to diagnose the problem in a situation such as this. In many cases, the GFCI outlet is likely faulty, which means it needs to be reconnected or replaced.
Here are the steps you need to follow if a GFCI keeps tripping in the garage.
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How To Fix GFCI That Keeps Tripping In Garage
1. Turn Off The Power Supply
You will want to start by turning off the power supply running to the garage.
You can do this by going to the circuit breaker and toggling off the tab synced to the garage. This will ensure electricity does not flow to that part of the property while you are working on the GFCI outlet.
Be patient while doing this and make sure the power is off before moving forward with the repair.
You don’t want to be touching the GFCI outlet when it’s live.
2. Remove The GFCI Outlet
You are now going to unscrew the GFCI outlet in the garage.
The GFCI outlet is going to have screws attached to it. You can undo those screws and then put them in a safe spot for later. You will need those screws to re-install the GFCI outlet once it’s been repaired.
When you take off the GFCI outlet, the goal is to look at its structural integrity too.
You might notice moisture near the edges of the outlet. This is a clear-cut sign there has been water damage near the outlet and that might be the root cause of it not working properly.
In this case, you will have to replace the GFCI outlet and also remove the moisture.
You will also want to look at any connectors that are running to the GFCI outlet.
3. Inspect The Wires
Now, you are going to take a look at the wires.
These wires are going to be running into the GFCI outlet and will link it to the main electrical circuit.
It is important to make sure those wires are structurally intact.
You will want to check for water damage, burnt spots, or fraying. These are clear signs there is something wrong with the GFCI outlet.
If you notice one of the wires is loose, just make sure it is back to how it should be by pushing it in.
If the wire is damaged, you will need to replace that wire before re-installing the GFCI outlet.
4. Reset The Circuit & Re-Install The GFCI Outlet
To fix the GFCI outlet in the garage, you will want to make sure everything is synced properly and there is no structural damage to the outlet.
Once you are sure of this, re-install the GFCI outlet and tighten the screws.
You will want to make sure it is not flimsy and will not fall.
After you are ready to move forward with the process, go to the circuit breaker and toggle the tab back on.
This will send power to the garage.
Go and test the GFCI outlet to see if it’s working. In most cases, it will now be working. If not, you will need to replace the GFCI outlet as soon as possible.
5. Install A Dehumidifier To Reduce Moisture
You will also have to account for potential water damage in this part of the house.
It is common for water-related issues to crop up with electrical components in the garage. This is due to the nature of how exposed the garage is compared to the rest of the property.
You are going to want to set up a dehumidifier to reduce some of the natural moisture that is in the garage.
Should GFCI Be Used In Garage?
You should always use GFCI in the garage. In many states, all garage-based outlets must be GFCI outlets. This is to ensure the electrical component is safe, efficient, and not compromised.
Final Thoughts
These are the steps to consider if a GFCI keeps tripping in the garage.
If a GFCI keeps tripping in the garage, the most likely causes include a ground fault in the circuit, a faulty outlet, or too much moisture near the outlet. To fix the issue, check for water damage, turn off the power supply, remove the GFCI outlet, tighten or replace the wires, and re-install the GFCI outlet. Also, remember to set up a dehumidifier if there’s excess moisture.
These steps will make sure your GFCI outlet is back to how it needs to be.
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