Outdoor Outlet GFCI Keeps Tripping When It Rains? Causes and Fixes

An outdoor GFCI that trips in the rain means water is getting where it should not. Unplug everything, dry the outlet and cover, then reset it. If it holds, the problem was a wet cord, plug or cover. If it trips again, moisture is inside the box or on another outlet on the same circuit, and an electrician should check it.

A GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) cuts power in a fraction of a second when current leaks somewhere it should not, like through water. A trip in the rain is the device working as designed. The goal is to find where the water is getting in.

Why does my outdoor GFCI trip when it rains?

• A cracked or missing in-use cover. The clear bubble cover is meant to seal the outlet while a cord is plugged in. A cracked, warped or missing gasket lets rain reach the contacts.
• Water inside the outlet box. Rain can run behind siding or through mortar and collect in the box. A box that is not sealed at the wall is a common culprit.
• Plugs and cords sitting in water. A plug connection lying on wet ground or in a puddle can leak current. Many holiday decorations and pump cords fail this way.
• Another outlet on the same circuit. A GFCI also protects outlets downstream of it. A wet outdoor light, a garage outlet or a second exterior outlet can trip the first one.
• Damaged wiring. Nicked insulation or corroded wire nuts can conduct when they are damp.
• A worn GFCI. Old devices can become over-sensitive and trip at small leaks.

How to tell where the water is

How to fix it

1. Unplug everything from the outdoor outlet and from any other outlets on that circuit.
2. Look at the cover. It should close fully over the outlet with a gasket that is intact. Replace it if it is cracked or the hinge is broken.
3. Dry the outside. Wipe the cover and the wall around it. Do not open the box if it is still raining, and never work on a wet outlet with the power on.
4. Press RESET on the GFCI. If it holds, plug devices back in one at a time to find the one that trips it.
5. Keep plugs off the ground. Raise connections onto a block or use a weatherproof cord cover. Do not let a connection sit in grass or in standing water.
6. Check downstream outlets. Look at other outdoor, garage and basement outlets on the same circuit, and any exterior lights, for cracked covers or signs of water.
7. Swap the GFCI if it trips dry. If it keeps tripping with nothing plugged in and no rain, a new GFCI receptacle is a low-cost fix. Turn the power off at the breaker first, and hire an electrician if you are unsure.

Is a bubble cover really necessary?

Yes, for any outdoor outlet you use with a cord plugged in. A flat weatherproof cover only protects the outlet while the lid is closed. As soon as you plug something in, the lid is open. An in-use cover (the deep, clear or opaque bubble) keeps rain off the plug and outlet while it is in use. Most electrical codes in the US call for this at outdoor locations, and it is an easy upgrade at a hardware store.

If the box itself is not sealed against the wall, a bead of exterior-grade caulk along the top and sides of the plate can keep water from running behind it. Leave the bottom edge open so any water that does get in can drain out.

When to call a professional

Call a licensed electrician if:

• The GFCI trips again after you have dried everything and unplugged all devices.
• You see water, rust or green corrosion inside the box.
• The outlet, cover plate or wall feels warm or smells of burning.
• The GFCI will not reset, or you cannot find the other outlets that share the circuit.
• You want an outdoor outlet added, moved or replaced.

If you are using seasonal lights, a similar trip pattern is covered in Christmas lights that trip the GFCI. A basement pump on a GFCI can fail in a wet spell too, as in a sump pump tripping the GFCI.

What not to do

• Do not keep resetting a GFCI that trips at once.
• Do not run an extension cord through a window or door to avoid the problem.
• Do not use a power strip outdoors unless it is rated for it and kept dry.
• Do not open an outdoor box in wet weather without turning off the breaker.

Bottom line

A GFCI that trips in the rain is warning you about moisture. Check the cover, keep plugs off the ground, dry things out and look for other wet outlets on the circuit. If it still trips, the water is inside the box or the wiring, and that is a job for an electrician. For other breaker and trip problems, see a general guide to breakers that keep tripping. If the power goes out entirely during a storm, read how to handle a storm outage.