What to Do If Multiple Devices Stopped Working After a Power Outage in St. Louis

Start by checking your electrical panel, resetting any tripped breakers or outlets, then unplug and test devices on known-working circuits. If they still do not power up, inspect surge protectors and power strips, look for signs of damage, and finally contact a licensed electrician for safe diagnosis and repair.

 

Check Your Electrical Panel

 

Your electrical panel (sometimes called a breaker box) is where your home’s circuits are controlled. During a power outage, breakers can trip and stay off even after power returns.

• Locate the panel—often in a basement, garage, or utility closet.
• Open the door and look for any switches moved to the middle or “off” position.
• Firmly reset each tripped breaker by turning it fully off and then back on until you hear it click into place.
• If you have a fuse box instead, look for any blown fuses (broken metal strip inside glass) and replace with the same type and amperage.

 

Inspect and Reset Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)

 

GFCI outlets protect you from electric shock in wet areas like bathrooms or kitchens, and they often trip during power surges.

• Locate GFCI outlets by the “Test” and “Reset” buttons on the face of the receptacle.
• Press “Reset” until it clicks—this restores power to that outlet and any downstream outlets on the same circuit.
• If a GFCI won’t reset or trips immediately, unplug all devices and try resetting again. One of the connected devices or the wiring may be faulty.

 

Examine Surge Protectors and Power Strips

 

Surge protectors guard electronics from voltage spikes. After an outage or lightning strike, they can wear out or shut off.

• Unplug surge protectors and power strips from the wall.
• Inspect for any burn marks, melted plastic, or a switch in the “off” position.
• Plug devices directly into a known-good outlet to test if the strip is faulty.
• Replace any surge protector that no longer supplies power or shows damage—don’t attempt to repair it.

 

Test Devices and Outlets Individually

 

Systematically isolating the problem helps you find whether it’s the outlet, the device, or the wiring.

• Unplug everything on the problematic circuit or surge strip.
• Plug one device into a working outlet—if it powers on, the device is fine.
• Move that device to the suspect outlet; if it still fails, the outlet or wiring is the issue.
• Repeat with multiple outlets and devices to pinpoint the exact location of failure.

 

Look for Signs of Electrical Damage

 

Power outages, especially those caused by storms or surges, can damage wiring or appliances.

• Smell for burning or overheated plastic near outlets or your panel.
• Feel for warm outlet covers, which can indicate loose wiring or a bad connection.
• Visually inspect cords—frayed insulation, exposed wires, or kinks may mean a device is unsafe to use.

 

When to Call a Licensed Electrician

 

If basic resets and testing don’t restore power, or you find damage and aren’t sure how to fix it safely, get professional help.

• Repeated breaker trips or outlets that won’t reset point to a serious wiring fault.
• Damaged wiring, burn smells, or warm outlets require immediate attention to avoid fire risk.
• These guidelines apply whether you’re in St. Louis or Nashville, since electrical systems follow the same safety standards.

Once power is safely restored, always check that devices function normally and keep surge protection in place to minimize future damage.