Half the kitchenette outlets are dead — find the tripped GFCI

What this error means

Documented and endlessly rediscovered: one GFCI outlet protects a whole string of ordinary outlets downstream — a fault at any of them trips the one GFCI, killing every outlet on the string. The downstream outlets are supposed to carry 'GFCI-protected' stickers; the stickers fall off. So the dead outlet by the coffee maker is often cured by a reset button in the restroom, another room, or behind the fridge.

Symptoms

• A cluster of dead outlets while the room's lights work fine
• Kitchenette, restroom, or exterior-wall outlets (GFCI territory)
• Started when someone's space heater or kettle hiccupped

Try this first (safe DIY steps)

1. Hunt every GFCI (outlets with TEST/RESET buttons): kitchenette, restrooms, utility areas, sometimes rooms away — press RESET until it clicks
2. Check the breaker panel too (some circuits use GFCI breakers — reset fully OFF then ON)
3. If the GFCI won't reset or instantly re-trips: unplug everything on the string and try again — one appliance may be genuinely faulty
4. Label the downstream outlets when you find the relationships — future-you says thanks

Safety: power off before any physical intervention. Never bypass covers or interlocks — fuser areas run hot enough to burn.

When to call a technician

A GFCI that won't reset with everything unplugged is a persistent fault or a dead GFCI — electrician visit ($150–300 typical). In leased space, check whether your lease routes this through building management.