Open Neutral Outlet Troubleshooting

How to fix an outlet that doesn't work. Outlet tester gives open neutral on chart. Learn how to troubleshoot and repair a circuit of outlets that give you the open neutral diagnostic.

[ronsmith]

Simple to the point logical explanation. No 60 seconds of intro music and never ending blah blah for 20 minutes.. 🤪 subscribed.

[greengoosehobbies]

Thanks! This video walked me through fixing an outlet circuit that had been out of service for a few years now. Borderline embarrassing how simple it was. Thanks again!

[marvinburnieburnsed]

Very good video! Short, to the point, helped me resolve my issues quickly. Weak ground wire in circuit up the line

[MrChrishoward]

Bro thank you for the information. I used your video for my electric around the stove and used your troubleshooting method to track down the problem. Wow bro saved me a lot of money 💵.

[Riskon]

Huge help! Many of the vids I was seeing are a bit esoteric for this layperson, but your words, “ start at the box “ and then move down the line, as well as, “ it’s usually something simple” were exactly right. I had a snapped neutral in box; line was still barley touching the stub in the screw panel inside box, but when I put one finger on, it fell off. I re-stripped the neutral, re-connected to screw panel, and voila..

Thank you for taking time to put that video out!

[femgnsi]

YOU ARE THE MAN!!!
Exactly what I needed to see.
Thanks!

[b.wilson]

After two years of outlets not working and trying other fixes I find this video and a loose wire nut. Face palm!!

[jeffgreen]

If you install a test lead on the neutral and a test lead on the ground to one of the receptacles that are not working on the circuit, you will get 120 V. That always tells me that I have lost a neutral somewhere.The trick is finding that loose neutral without taking apart a majority of devices and fixtures in the house. That’s where a good tracer comes in handy. Stay safe!

[itsmerob]

Liked and subscribed. Thank you sir for the info and help

[NWIVeteranConstruction]

i only ever made it to 29 seconds. literally still on pause right now lol problem solved, thank you so much

[tormentedslayer]

Thanks man! im having the same problem with a plug in my living room, so i'll go down an backtrack thru the whole run of wires...

[ACherimoya]

Very helpful, thank you. I have two outlets with open neutrals, but I'm not sure which circuit they're on and I can't trace it due to the open neutral. I can guess based on their position where the wires are coming from and start there.

[wes.]

Thanks for your help. It didn't occur to me that the 'Neutral' junctions would be behind one or more outlets.

[duanejackson]

My problem started with an open neutral then turn into a then to a hot ground but then found out and the other room was the culprit and it was a reverse ground neutral. If it wasn't for this video I would have never a thought to look in another room thank you

[tooneboone]

It would be nice to be able to follow the circuit in a concrete wall that you can't see where it goes next and have 9 circuits with open ground faults. Maybe take an extension cord plugged into one outlet that is okay and go to the other outlets and do an ohm check on the neutral, reckon?

[nolan]

If anyone is new, make sure to plug in the outlet tester all the way and reset the GFCI if it is available, before you waste your time like me

[borgcutus]

So I'm trying to fix an open neutral GFI circuit right now. To narrow down what outlets were involved on this circuit, I shut off the breaker for that circuit, and used an outlet tester to find all "off" outlets in the house. I've narrowed it down to a GFI outlet in upstairs bath, and 2 standard outlets in the downstairs bath. I believe the upstairs GFI outlet is the one closest to the panel box, and the 2 others come off of that. I check all wire connections, nothing disconnected or loose. I even replaced the GFI outlet and the 2 standard subsequent ones. The two standard outlets still show as open neutral on the tester and aren't working. The only thing I haven't changed out is the circuit breaker in the panel box (I have to go get a replacement one). If all of these changes don't resolve it, what is left? Seems unlikely that the wiring in the wall could be an issue, these things are usually an issue at an end point. Any suggestions on what else to try? I'm about out of ideas....

[artsmith]

Note the button on the tester for GFCI testing. Worth the dollar or 2 to get that.

[ww-town]

Should label this video how a open neutral fixes itself lol!!

[Rocksworld]

I originally had 3 outlets not working. They all had 120v and properly grounded. I shutoff the fuse box and replaced each receptacle in the daisy chain. Finally on the 6th and last receptacle that was the bad one. It also somehow fixed the bathroom light as well which was bonus, that was my next job.