One device or power strip
Product condition may be separate from building power.
Notice next: Do not reuse a damaged or shock-producing product.
United States guidance50 states + DC context
Partial power loss
Reviewed and updated September 21, 2026
What should you do when only part of your home loses power?
Put safety before diagnosisNever backfeed a home with a portable generator or use a fuel-burning generator indoors or near openings; carbon monoxide can be fatal.
First check for danger: smoke, fire, burning odor, sparking, shock, water, damaged service equipment or downed lines requires distance and the appropriate emergency or utility response. Do not open the panel or approach damaged conductors.
If conditions are safe, record whether one device, one outlet, one room or several areas lost power and check official utility outage information. Keep sensitive equipment disconnected if safe to do so. A partial outage can have several causes, so do not infer utility or building responsibility before inspection.
Separate immediate hazards, affected circuits and project scope
Which situation best matches the home?
One outlet, room or labeled circuit
The boundary helps an electrician but does not prove the cause.
Notice next: List affected items without dismantling outlets or the panel.
Several areas or neighboring outage
Utility supply may need checking in addition to building wiring.
Notice next: Use the utility's official outage channel.
Safe observation
What should you record before the call?
A short, factual description helps the next professional choose the right first inspection without treating a symptom as proof.
The affected map does not establish the fault location, ownership or safe repair method.
What to record
- Exact rooms, outlets and fixed equipment affected.
- Utility outage notice or neighboring impact.
- Weather, recent work and visible service damage.
- Any fire, shock, heat, odor, water or medical-equipment concern.
Stop and get appropriate help
- A line is down or service equipment is damaged.
- Smoke, fire, heat, odor, sparks, shock or water is present.
- Medical equipment, extreme heat or cold, or another life-safety need makes the outage urgent.
Short answers
Questions people ask before the call
Should I open the panel to look for damage?
No. Keep panel covers closed and use qualified inspection.
Can I connect a generator to a wall outlet?
No. Backfeeding can endanger occupants and utility workers; installation and transfer equipment require qualified, code-compliant planning.
Does partial power prove a utility problem?
No. Utility supply and building systems are both possible until the fault is located.
Where this guidance applies
The safety and observation sequence on this page is general U.S. guidance.
Adopted electrical code, permits, inspections, contractor licensing, utility ownership, rental responsibility, prices and provider availability must be checked for the exact property.
A ZIP helps identify possible electrical service areas and utility territories, but it does not prove jurisdiction, address-level coverage or an available qualified electrician.
Sources and boundaries
What supports this guide?
- Federal Emergency Management Agency — How to Stay Safe From a Power OutageOutage safety, surge precautions and generator carbon-monoxide boundaries. Scope: national. Source checked 2026-09-15.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — Home Electrical Safety ChecklistConsumer observation boundaries for cords, plugs, outlets, switches, breakers and household electrical warning signs. Scope: national. Source checked 2026-09-15.
- National Fire Protection Association — Electrical Safety ChecklistWarning signs that warrant a qualified electrician or landlord, including repeated trips, heat, discoloration, odor, sparks and flicker. Scope: national. Source checked 2026-09-15.
Educational information only: this page cannot inspect the property, diagnose hidden work, provide legal advice, quote a repair or promise service availability.
Sources support the general guidance shown here. Address-specific rules, responsibility, price and availability still require current local confirmation.
If conditions are unsafe or rapidly worsening, stop troubleshooting and contact the appropriate emergency service or qualified local professional.