Why Does My Circuit Breaker Keep Tripping With Nothing Plugged In?

A breaker can trip with nothing plugged in when the fault is on the circuit itself. Common causes include a failing breaker, a short or ground fault in wiring or a light fixture, moisture in a box or exterior receptacle, or a hardwired load exceeding the circuit. AFCI or GFCI protection can also trip when they detect arcing or leakage to ground.

Quick checks:

• Try one reset only.
• Switch off all lights on that circuit.
• Test and reset any GFCI outlets.
• Stop if it trips again, buzzes, or smells hot.

Updated: 2025-12-22

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