How to Replace an Electrical Outlet

Turn off power at the breaker, remove the old outlet by unscrewing it and disconnecting wires, then connect the new outlet using the same wire configuration and secure it back in place.

1. Kill the Power First. Locate the correct circuit breaker for the outlet and flip it to the OFF position. Use a non-contact voltage tester or plug in a lamp to confirm power is completely off. Double-check by testing the outlet with a voltage tester before proceeding.
2. Free the Old Outlet. Unscrew the outlet cover plate and set it aside. Remove the two screws holding the outlet to the electrical box. Carefully pull the outlet out of the box, leaving enough wire to work with comfortably.
3. Document Before You Disconnect. Take a photo of the wire connections before disconnecting anything. Remove wires from the old outlet by loosening terminal screws or pushing in release tabs if using push-in connections. Keep track of which wire goes where - typically black to brass screws, white to silver screws, and green or bare copper to the green ground screw.
4. Wire It Right. Connect wires to the new outlet in the same configuration as the old one. Wrap clockwise around terminal screws and tighten securely, or use push-in connections if available. Ensure no bare wire is exposed outside the terminal connections. Connect ground wire last to the green screw.
5. Secure and Seat. Carefully fold wires back into the electrical box and push the new outlet into place. Screw the outlet to the box using the provided screws. Replace the cover plate and tighten screws snugly but don't overtighten to avoid cracking the plate.
6. Confirm It Works. Turn the circuit breaker back ON. Test the new outlet with a plug-in tester or simple device like a lamp to ensure it works properly. Check that the outlet is firmly secured and the cover plate sits flush against the wall.