No power

When you have a loss of power in your home, this is likely to be down to one of three issues.

Some power outages are easier to fix than others, and you may be able to deal with most issues yourself.

Common causes of power outages

  1. Have you run out of credit? If you have a pre-payment meter, check the balance to see if you have credit. If you think the meter may be faulty, contact your energy supplier.
  2. Has a fuse tripped? If your electricity cuts out when you turn on a light switch or an electric appliance, this probably means the fuse has tripped. Check your fuse box to see if all switches are pointing upwards – if any are pointing down, flick them back up to restore the power. If the issue continues, you may have a problem with your wiring or electricity supply that needs professional help.
  3. Is there a power cut? If your streetlights and neighbours’ lights have also turned off, then your local area may have lost its electrical supply.

If it looks like there has been a power cut, you can get free help and advice from your network operator by calling 105. You can also check your electricity supplier’s website for updates on the situation and an estimate of how long the issue will last.

In the event of a power cut, UK Power Networks advises to:

  • Switch off all electrical appliances that shouldn’t be left unattended, ready for when the power comes back on.
  • Leave a light on so you know when the power outage has been resolved.
  • Check to see if your neighbours are OK.
  • Wrap up warm.