Reset a tripped fuse box (circuit breaker)
Fix it yourself in 10 mins — no electrician needed
A tripped breaker is a safety feature working correctly, not a fault. It has cut the power to protect your wiring. Resetting it — once you know the cause — takes two minutes.
Last updated: March 2025
Only basic tools needed — most homes already have them.
Before you start
Your consumer unit (fuse box) contains MCBs — miniature circuit breakers — one for each circuit in the house. When a circuit is overloaded or a fault occurs, the MCB flips to off or a mid-position to cut power. This is normal and safe.
There is also an RCD (residual current device) — a larger switch that covers groups of circuits and trips when it detects an earth fault. This is different from an MCB trip and has a slightly different reset procedure.
You do not need any tools to reset a circuit breaker or RCD — just your hands.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tools & materials
- ✓Torch or head torch— if the consumer unit is in a dark cupboard or the hall light is on the tripped circuit
- ✓No other tools needed— circuit breakers are reset by hand
Want everything in one go?
Prices shown on retailer sites. Always check current pricing before purchasing.
Find the consumer unit and locate the tripped breaker
The consumer unit (often still called the fuse box) is the white or grey plastic panel with rows of switches, usually located under the stairs, in the hallway, or in a utility room. Open the cover. Look at all the switches — a tripped breaker will be in a different position to the rest. On most modern UK consumer units it will be in the middle position (half-way between on and off), or it may have flipped fully to off. Some units have a small coloured indicator that turns red when tripped. Why: the tripped breaker is a safety device that has cut power to a circuit because it detected too much current. It has done exactly what it is supposed to do. Your job is to find the cause before resetting it.
Most people get this done in under 5 minutes.
Where beginners go wrong
Resetting without reducing the load first. If the trip was caused by too many appliances running at once, the breaker will trip again immediately. Unplug everything on the circuit before resetting.
Not pushing the switch fully off before pushing it back on. A tripped MCB in the mid position cannot be pushed directly to on. It must go fully off first, then on. This catches people out every time.
Ignoring a breaker that keeps tripping. If the same breaker trips repeatedly after you have removed all appliances from the circuit, there is a fault on the wiring or a fixed appliance (like a cooker or shower) that needs an electrician to trace.
Confusing the MCB and the RCD. The MCB is the small switch for one circuit. The RCD is the larger switch (often labelled Test) that covers multiple circuits. They trip for different reasons and reset slightly differently.
Stop and call an electrician if...
A breaker will not stay on after resetting, even with all appliances unplugged — there is a fault on the fixed wiring
There is a burning smell, scorch marks, or visible heat damage near the consumer unit — this is a serious fire risk
The RCD will not reset or keeps tripping — there is an earth fault somewhere on the circuit
Your consumer unit contains old-style rewirable fuses rather than MCBs — these should be replaced by a qualified electrician
Cost breakdown
Recommended starter kit
Five tools that cover most home repairs.
- →Adjustable spannerAmazon·Screwfix
- →Screwdriver setAmazon·Screwfix
- →PTFE tapeAmazon·Screwfix
- →Spirit levelAmazon·Screwfix
- →Tape measureAmazon·Screwfix
Want everything in one go? Get it on Amazon
What you just learned
You understand how your consumer unit works — MCBs, the RCD, what each type of trip means, and how to safely reset them. Knowing your circuit labels is one of the most practically useful things you can do as a homeowner. Label them now if they are not already.
This unlocks:
⚠️ Watch out if you rent
If the circuit keeps tripping, report it to your landlord in writing — it may indicate a wiring fault that is their responsibility to investigate. Do not ignore recurring trips.