The GFCI outlet of your room is showing yellow lights. It’s also not working when any device is plugged into it.
What could be the reason behind the GFCI outlet yellow light?
A tripped outlet is the most common reason for the GFCI outlet showing yellow lights. This issue will stop the outlet from working due to safety issues. Simply pressing the reset button can fix it. The GFCI outlet also flashes yellow light as an early indication of reaching its end.
That’s not all. We’ve got more information about the issue. Why not join us to learn more about the yellow light of your GFCI outlet?
Let’s dive into it!
What Do The Different Lights On GFCI Outlets Indicate
GFCI outlet devices feature a tiny LED indicator that lets you know their current status. The status indicator flashes different colors depending on the status of the outlet. Here’s what each color means-
Green Light: This indicates that the outlet has satisfied necessary requirements to pass the self-check. The GFCI outlet performs this self-check to ensure that all operations run smoothly with minimal risk.
Red Light: The outlet has failed the self-evaluation test, shutting itself off by triggering a failsafe mechanism. There might be some internal problems in the outlet that should be inspected and fixed immediately.
Modern GFCI outlets run a regular self-test to ensure that it’s safe to operate.
Yellow Light: A yellow light indicates possible tripping of the outlet. The tripped outlet will turn itself off for use. Flickering yellow lights means that the outlet has reached the end of its lifespan. You should replace the GFCI outlet with a new one.
Orange Light: The meaning of this light can vary from outlet to outlet. It’s an indication of a properly functioning GFCI outlet on some receptacles. On others, it pops up when the receptacle trips.
No Light: Indicates that the GFCI receptacle is off. Also happens if the GFCI receptacles trip or fail to identify any power source.
Looking for quality GFCI outlets with a long lifespan? Take a look at these GFCI receptacles that we have hand-picked for you-
| 10 Pack – ELECTECK 15A/125V Tamper Resistant GFCI Outlets | Check Current Price |
| Leviton GFNT1-W Self-Test SmartlockPro Slim GFCI Non-Tamper-Resistant Receptacle | Check Current Price |
These GFCI outlets provide the best services. You can also get a split GFCI receptacle for a half-hot outlet.
How To Fix The Yellow Light Issue Of My GFCI Outlet
If you notice a yellow light on your GFCI outlet, it means the receptacle tripped. This is the common indicator for any GFCI receptacles that face a circuit overload. A receptacle also trips if it malfunctions or has a bad connection overall.
When your GFCI outlet identifies these issues, it breaks the circuit, also known as ‘tripping’.
Here’s how you can fix the yellow light issue in your GFCI outlet-
Fix 1: Reset The GFCI outlet
This is the easiest fix for any tripped GFCI outlet. Every GFCI receptacle comes with a ‘RESET’ button on its front. It re-establishes the circuit and makes the receptacle function again. Simply press the reset button, and that’ll do it!
Keep in mind simple resetting might not work for the latest GFCI outlets. They follow a much more advanced self-testing procedure before being fully functional again.
Fix 2: Readjust the Circuit Breaker Switch
Another way to fix your tripping circuit breaker is by checking the circuit breaker panel. Carefully inspect if the tripped breaker is hanging between the ‘on’ and ‘off’ position.
Is the breaker hanging in the middle of the two modes? If so, then flip the switch off, and turn it back on. This subtle operation will also reset the circuit of your outlet.
Fix 3: Replace The GFCI outlet
Once the GFCI receptacle reaches the end of its lifespan, it flashes yellow lights. Hitting the reset button won’t do anything to fix this issue. The outlet will recede from functioning any further.
A typical GFCI outlet can have an average lifespan of 15-25 years. This is, however, not guaranteed as some GFCI outlets can die within 5 years. Faulty ground wiring, electrical tripping, and many more factors can be blamed for its short lifespan.
You need to replace the old GFCI outlet with a new one if that’s the case. There is a slight chance of one bad outlet affecting other outlets. So it’s best to replace the receptacles as soon as possible.
Fix 4: Set Up Proper Wiring
As mentioned before, a receptacle can get tripped for varying reasons. In addition, many GFCI outlets nowadays don’t allow fixing the issue by resetting it.
Previous versions of the outlets wouldn’t stop you from resetting the receptacle even if it failed. The ‘resetting’ would only test the mechanical actuator and start functioning again. It didn’t bother checking the circuitry.
However, that’s not the case anymore. The GFCI outlet considers a number of factors before restarting its functions. Meaning that it’ll require a bit more technical skills to fix the issue.
For starters, the electricity flowing through the circuit has to maintain proper amperage. If the wire or the circuit faces more amperage than it can handle, it’ll trip. Similarly, connecting defective devices in the outlet can cause malfunction and trip the outlet.
The neutral wire and hotwire should have the same gauge as the ground wire.
You’ll also be required to fix the loose, damaged wires in order to avoid an overload. Sensing an overload in the self-check test can make the GFCI outlet shut itself.
After you’re done properly setting up the circuitry and other wiring issues, reset the receptacle. The GFCI outlet will evaluate the setup after that. If all the necessary benchmarks are satisfied, only then will it start working again.
Don’t go for fixing the circuit unless you have intermediary skills in handling electrical wires. We suggest you take professional help to fix the issue. Make sure to follow basic safety precautions while setting up the circuit and wirings.
FAQs
Question: How much does fixing an electrical outlet cost?
Answer: The cost of repairing an electrical outlet depends on a number of factors. It can vary from region to region and also depend on the type of outlet. An estimated sum of fixing outlets can start from $5 all the way up to $200.
Question: Can water trip my GFCI outlet?
Answer: Exposure to a certain amount of moisture and water can trip a GFCI outlet. Wet GFCI will trip immediately and will keep tripping without any visible signs. So it’s advised to place your receptacle box strategically when planning the building of the house.
Question: Do I need a GFCI outlet for my dryer?
Answer: GFCI is recommended for receptacles installed around the kitchen. As the cloth dryer is used in the laundry area, it doesn’t require GFCI outlets. However, NEC requires 20 amp receptacles designated for the washer.
EndNote
We’re now familiar with the reasons behind the GFCI outlet yellow light. This article also explained how to troubleshoot the issue.
Hope we’re able to help you identify the problem and fix it immediately. If you have any further inquiries, let us know in the comments. Best of luck!