GFCIs can be considered a type of breaker. What Is a GFCI Outlet?Ī Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (or GFCI) is an electrical outlet or breaker. It is not that unusual to stumble upon a defective product. One more detail to remember – especially if you have just replaced an old working outlet with a new one that keeps flashing red – is that you may have gotten yourself a faulty outlet. Another tripped GFCI in the same circuit or a ground fault in an electrical circuit that is in very close proximity.However, due to the natural wear and tear and other conditions, this time may be severely reduced, and they may fail way earlier. Usually, they are expected to work as intended for at least 25 years. Worn out GFCI outlet – Like everything else, GFCI outlets can go bad with time.Also, faulty electrical equipment can cause that too. This can happen because too many electrical appliances are plugged in on the same circuit. Circuit overload – If an electrical circuit gets overloaded, the GFCI will most likely trip to prevent overheating.In this case, even replacing the outlet will not make any difference, and the electrical circuit needs to be inspected. Bad wiring – Bad wiring may also cause the outlet to trip.A ground fault can happen due to bad wiring, worn out or frayed insulation, moisture and water, and more. Ground fault – If the outlet registers a ground fault, it will automatically trip.In this case, we must consider what situations will cause a GFCI outlet to trip. What May Cause a GFCI Receptacle to Have a Blinking Red Light?Ī red blinking light may signify that the breaker has tripped. Check the back of the old GFCI to get the rating. Before purchasing a new GFCI outlet, you must verify if you need a 15A or 20A rated outlet. If the outlet doesn’t reset and the red light continues to blink or stay solid, then the outlet is not working correctly and needs replacement. If the outlet resets and restores the power to the circuit, and no red light is present, then this means that the receptacle is working correctly. Press the test button on the receptacle to manually trip the GFCI outlet.In that case, the best thing that you can do is: What to Do If Your GFCI Outlet Has a Red Flashing LightĪ red light will signify a problem exists. In this case, it needs to be replaced with a new GFCI outlet. If the GFCI has failed its self-testing, it will lock up and prevent the electricity from flowing.The red light will blink (or stay solid) if the GFCI outlet has been tripped.The red light on the GFCI outlet may be blinking during the first self-test it makes after being powered up for the first time.So, What Does a Red Blinking Light Mean?Ī blinking red light will happen in the following scenarios: Think your GFCI outlets may be wearing out? Check out our article How Long Does a GFCI Outlet Last? 1. If the light turns Green, the GFCI outlet is working correctly, so you don’t need to do anything else. The status indicator may momentarily flash red at power “ON” and Reset. If the outlet does not Reset, contact an electrician to replace the GFCI outlet. Self-Test Indications: A problem may exist if the Status Indicator Light is solid or flashing RED. No lights – If neither red nor green light is flashing, no power is reaching the outlet, or the outlet may be tripped.Further investigation needs to be carried out. A red light – A red light means a problem with the device.A green light – If the green light is on, the outlet is working as intended, providing the necessary protection.You can generally find the light indicators on the GFCI outlets to be in three different states: The newer GFCI receptacles (manufactured after 2015) require a self-monitoring system.Īn auto-monitoring GFCI outlet will periodically test itself to ensure it works as intended.