Why Does My Circuit Breaker Keep Tripping With Nothing Plugged In?

A circuit breaker can trip with nothing plugged in because the circuit itself has a fault, such as a short, a ground fault, or a failing breaker or wire connection. The most common culprit is damaged wiring or a hardwired device on the circuit (like a light fixture or GFCI) creating a fault even with no plug-in loads. Arc-fault (AFCI) and ground-fault (GFCI) breakers also trip when they sense unsafe conditions, not just overloads. I often find a loose neutral in the panel that only shows up when you try to reset the breaker. We service homes across the Fort Wayne area, including neighborhoods near Leo, and can isolate which segment of the run is failing.

Look for these decision signals:

• Trips instantly after reset: likely shorted wire or device on that circuit.
• Breaker hot, buzzing, or with a burnt odor: stop and call a licensed electrician.
• GFCI/AFCI won’t hold: test/reset, then inspect for moisture or arc damage.
• Hardwired loads: check lights, outdoor boxes, sump/garage circuits for water or damage.

Until a pro inspects the circuit, keep the breaker off and avoid repeated resets.

Updated: 2026-02-11

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