Appliance troubleshooting

If an electrical device won't turn on, first make sure it's securely plugged in. Also, check the cord for fraying, overheating, or soot. It could be that the plug is defective, or a new cord is needed, usually a job for the electrician. If an appliance goes out suddenly, when several other devices are in use at the same time, it's possible the circuit was overloaded. Look inside the electrical panel. You may see one breaker that's been thrown. Unplug all devices on the circuit, and reset the breaker. If this doesn't restore power, the breaker itself could be bad. Older homes may have a fuse box instead of a circuit breaker. Check to see if the fuse is foggy, blackened, or has a broken metal strip in the center. This indicates a blown fuse, which will need replaced. Unless you're experienced with this type of repair, it's best to call an electrician. And whatever you do, never open up the back of an appliance: you could get a severe shock.