The frustration of not knowing why your landscape lights have stopped turning on is understandable.

However, sometimes the solution to restoring power is simpler than you might think.

Today, we are going to delve into the reason why your landscape lighting system has more than likely lost power. 

Before you begin getting frustrated trying to figure out why your lights aren’t working, ask yourself: did a rain or snowstorm blow through shortly before your lighting system lost power? If the answer is yes, then you may want to consider checking all your GFCIs.

What is a GFCI?

A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter also known as a GFCI, is a type of electrical device that functions as a circuit breaker.

GFCIs are specifically designed to prevent the risk of electric shock by shutting off an electric power circuit when it detects current flowing along an unintended path.

These devices are commonly installed in areas where electricity and water are in close proximity to each other, such as bathrooms.

If you encounter an outlet that is not working, you may notice a small red reset button. This button is associated with the GFCI and is used to reset the device.

Restoring power to your lights

Now that you know what a GFCI is, what it looks like, and how it functions, let’s talk about how you can use this knowledge to restore power to your landscape lights. 

As we have learned, water and moisture can trip a GFCI. This can occur after heavy rains or snowstorms, and even a misdirected sprinkler head can be a potential cause.

Additionally, it’s important to consider the bubble cover over the outlet to the transformer. If it is not properly sealed or closed, it fails to prevent moisture from entering.

Before you do anything else, check to see if your lights are getting power to them.

To begin, follow these steps:

1. Grab a phone charger and proceed outside.
2. Locate your transformer, which is the big metal box mounted next to an exterior outlet.
3. Once you’ve found your transformer, unplug it.
4. Plug in your phone charger.

If your phone charger charges your phone, the power is not the problem. Contact an outdoor lighting professional to address the issues within the lighting system.

In most cases, if your lights suddenly stop working, it is likely that the outlet doesn’t have power. If this happens, follow these steps:

1. Check if the outlet has a GFCI. If it does, reset it.
2. Test if the outlet can charge your phone.
3. Assuming the outlet charges your phone without any issue, plug your transformer back in.
4. Verify that the timer is set correctly.
5. You’re done! Your landscape lights should be working again.

If the exterior outlet to your transformer lacks a GFCI, search inside your house for a tripped GFCI.

Thoroughly check areas like the kitchen and bathroom, where water and electricity are close. Expand your search to other places, such as garages and utility rooms, as GFCIs can be located in unexpected areas.

Be diligent in your search to locate the tripped GFCI.

Once you find the tripped GFCI, press the reset button. If it continues to pop out, there may still be a disruption caused by water or undesired contact. In such cases, waiting for things to dry out is necessary.

However, if the reset button remains pressed in, go back outside to the outlet next to your transformer. Plug in your phone charger and check for power.

If the outlet has power, you have identified the tripped GFCI. Remember this for future reference if a similar issue occurs.

If power hasn’t been restored, consider checking your breaker panel as breakers can also trip and need to be reset at times.

If you have followed these steps and still require assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us today at 801.440.7647. We are here to help you in restoring your landscape lights.