How to Install a GFCI Outlet

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlets—GFCIs—are the safety workhorses of kitchens, bathrooms, and anywhere near water. They detect when electricity is leaking through a path it shouldn't take (like through a person) and shut off power in milliseconds. Most building codes now require them within six feet of any sink, and in kitchens especially, they're non-negotiable. Installing one is straightforward electrical work that any homeowner with basic tool skills can handle. The outlet itself costs almost nothing; the confidence you gain knowing your family is protected costs even less.

  1. Kill power at the breaker. Locate your electrical panel and flip the breaker serving the outlet you're replacing to the OFF position. Return to the outlet and test it with a voltage tester or plug in a lamp to confirm the power is truly dead. Never skip this step.
  2. Remove the cover plate and old outlet. Unscrew and remove the outlet cover plate. Using a flathead screwdriver, loosen the two terminal screws on either side of the outlet—one is brass (hot), one is silver (neutral). Gently pull the outlet straight out of the box. Do not force it.
  3. Inspect and prep the wires. Look at the exposed wires inside the box. They should be copper-colored (or copper with insulation). If you see green wire, that's ground—leave it untouched. If wires are blackened or charred, stop and call an electrician. Strip about half an inch of insulation from the hot (usually black) and neutral (usually white) wires if needed.
  4. Connect hot wire to the brass terminal. Take the black (hot) wire and loop it clockwise around the brass screw on the GFCI outlet. The loop should wrap about three-quarters of the way around the screw. Tighten the screw firmly—snug, not overtightened. The wire should not slip when you tug it gently.
  5. Connect neutral wire to the silver terminal. Take the white (neutral) wire and loop it clockwise around the silver screw on the GFCI outlet, just as you did with the hot wire. Tighten the screw firmly. Both wires should now be secure and immobile.
  6. Secure the outlet and install the cover plate. Gently push the GFCI outlet back into the electrical box. Align the mounting holes and insert the two screws at top and bottom, tightening them evenly so the outlet sits flush with the face of the box. Attach the cover plate and tighten its screw.
  7. Restore power and test the outlet. Return to the breaker panel and flip the breaker back to ON. Plug a lamp or phone charger into the new GFCI outlet to confirm it has power. Press the TEST button on the face of the outlet—power should cut off immediately. Press RESET and the outlet should come back to life.