It’s important to remember that a licensed electrician is ultimately the go-to when it comes to performing any repairs or upgrades to an electrical system. Nevertheless, there are some initial steps homeowners can take to troubleshoot problems before calling in a professional.

Some basic strategies to try when experiencing problems include:

• Checking the circuit breaker – The first thing residents should do is always check is the circuit breaker. Sometimes after a circuit breaker has tripped, all it needs is to be switched off and then back on again to perform a reset.
• Testing the outlets – Surprisingly, a big cause of electrical problems is having loosely plugged outlets. When experiencing issues with an outlet, unplug any devices and test the outlet with a different device to ensure it’s working properly. If the outlet is still not working, there may be an issue with the wiring or the outlet itself that requires the attention of a licensed electrician.
• Consulting the owner’s manual for appliances – Sometimes the problem is not with the system but with the appliance itself. Perhaps the issue is just with a specific electrical device, rather than the outlet or panel. In this case, consult the owner’s manual for troubleshooting tips first.