It’s a bit strange, isn’t it? The rest of your house is humming along just fine, but one room has suddenly gone dark. No lights, no powerpoints—nothing.
Before you panic or call in a sparkie, there are a few simple things you can check. In most cases, it’s something you can fix yourself (safely, of course!).
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you figure out what’s going on when the power goes out in just one room.
Step 1: Check Your Circuit Breaker
Your switchboard is the first place to look. When a circuit gets overloaded or there’s a fault, the breaker for that section of the house will trip.
Here’s what to do:
Head to your switchboard (usually found in the garage, hallway, or outside the house).
Look for any switches that are in the ‘off’ position or sitting halfway.
Flip the switch fully to ‘off’, then back to ‘on’.
Important: If it trips again straight away, stop there. That’s a sign something else is going on.
Step 2: Unplug Everything in the Affected Room
Sometimes, it’s not your wiring—it’s an appliance that’s gone rogue.
Unplug everything in the room with no power.
Try resetting the circuit breaker again.
If the power stays on after that, you’ve likely found the issue. Plug things back in one by one until you find the culprit.
Step 3: Check for GFCI (Safety Switches)
Some homes have GFCI or RCD (Residual Current Device) outlets—especially in wet areas like kitchens, bathrooms, or laundries.
These safety switches cut power when they detect a fault. Even if the outlet looks fine, it might need a reset.
Look for a power point with a “Test” and “Reset” button.
Press the “Reset” button and see if that restores power.
Sometimes, one of these switches can control multiple areas—even a room far away from where it’s located!
Step 4: Look (and Smell) for Signs of Trouble
This one’s quick, but important. If you notice:
A burning smell
Scorch marks on power points
Buzzing sounds
Sparks
Don’t touch anything. Turn the power off at the mains and call a licensed electrician immediately.
Step 5: When to Call a Professional
If you’ve gone through all the steps above and the room is still without power, it’s time to call in the pros.
You should call an electrician if:
The circuit breaker keeps tripping
There’s no visible cause for the outage
You’ve ruled out faulty appliances
There are signs of damage or overheating
It’s not worth risking your safety. A qualified electrician can diagnose the issue and fix it properly.
Preventative Tips to Avoid It Happening Again
A few simple habits can help you avoid future single-room outages:
Don’t overload power points or use dodgy double adapters.
Spread out high-powered appliances across different rooms or circuits.
Have your wiring inspected every few years, especially in older homes.
Use powerboards with overload protection.
FAQs
What causes the power to go out in just one room?
It’s usually a tripped breaker, an overloaded circuit, or a faulty appliance. Sometimes, a safety switch (GFCI/RCD) has triggered.
Is it safe to reset a tripped breaker myself?
Yes—if there are no signs of burning or damage, and it doesn’t trip again immediately. If it keeps tripping, call an electrician.
How can I tell if an appliance caused the problem?
Unplug everything in the affected room and reset the breaker. If the power stays on, plug each item back in one at a time to see which one causes the issue.
Why would a GFCI outlet affect a completely different room?
GFCI outlets can be wired to protect multiple outlets across different rooms, especially in older homes or renos.
Can this happen even if I live in a new home?
Yep! Even in new builds, things like overloading a circuit or a faulty kettle can trip a breaker. The wiring might be fresh, but the rules of electricity still apply.
Final Thoughts
A power outage in just one room can seem odd, but it’s more common than you’d think. With a little patience and some careful checks, you can often sort it out yourself. But when in doubt, play it safe and give your local electrician a buzz.
Need help from a licensed electrician near you? Give Fox Electricians a call—we’ll sort it out in no time.
