How to fix a loose electrical wall outlet box

We use electrical outlets every day in our home to power our electronics, appliances, and other devices we use in our daily life. As a result, it’s easy to forget how dangerous they can be when not properly seated on our wall.

It seems strange, but all that separates us from the high-voltage electrical current that is flowing through our wires is a hard plastic shell. That is why, if you have loose outlets in your home, it’s important to repair them right away, because loose outlets can expose you to direct voltage, sparks, and other electrical hazards. 

You can have a loose outlet in two different ways, either the whole outlet face wobbles or the receptacles are so loose that your plug falls out of the outlet when it’s plugged in.

These problems occur for different reasons and require different fixes. We’ll show you how to create the fixes no matter what scenario you have. However, if you have any doubts about your electrical issues, it’s best to book electrical services through Pulled that will be able to fix your loose outlets or provide any other electrical services you need quickly and safely. We’re just a click away to peace of mind!

How is my outlet loose?

Electrical outlets are secured inside of an electrical box that is attached to a wood frame within your wall. The main reason outlets become loose is that the electrical boxes they are installed in, are installed too far back into the wall, behind the drywall, which can affect the stability of the outlet. Outlets attached to these boxes will eventually loosen.

This instability can also create loose wires, creating even greater problems, since these loose, damaged, or disconnected wires could shock you or spark, leading to a fire hazard and other electrical hazards if left unrepaired.

How do I fix loose outlets?

To fix a loose outlet, you will need outlet shims, safety gloves, a wire tester, and a screwdriver. Here’s the step by step process to fix loose electrical outlets.

1. Turn off the power to the outlet. Before fixing a loose outlet you’ll first want to go to your home’s electrical panel and choose the circuit breaker that is specific to that room. Hint: outlets are 15 amps so you’ll want to look for the 15 amp circuits and turn them off one by one, until you find the right one. Make sure to wear safety gloves before touching electrical parts.
2. Test the outlet. Insert a wire tester to be sure the power is off before proceeding.
3. Remove the outlet. Unscrew the outlet cover and outlet screws and remove the entire fixture from the box so that the wires are out of the box and move freely. 
4. Add outlet shims. After you remove the receptacle, place outlet shims onto the outlet screws. These shims will compensate for any gaps between the screws and the recessed box. Depending on how far back your box is, you may need more than one shim per screw.
5. Replace and test. Put the outlet back into the housing box and tighten the screws. If it still seems loose, add more shims. Reinstall the outlet cover plate, turn the breaker back on to restore power and your outlet should be nice and snug!

What Do I Do If My Plug Falls Out?

If electrical plugs fall out of the outlet when you plug them in, the problem is the receptacle itself which will need to be replaced. An outlet’s receptacle is composed of the two narrow slots your plug goes into. Damaged contact points and other parts of your outlet wear out over time and need to be replaced because broken outlets or worn out outlets and receptacles can create dangerous arcing and start fires. 

If your outlet receptacle is worn out, the best thing to do is to replace it as follows:

1. Turn off power to the outlet. Go to your home’s electrical panel and choose the circuit breaker that is specific to that room.
2. Test the outlet. Insert a wire tester to be sure the power is off before proceeding.
3. Remove the outlet. Unscrew the outlet cover and outlet screws and remove the outlet from the box so that the wires are out of the box and move freely.
4. Install a new outlet. If you notice burnt wires or bad wiring, It’s best to strip the wires using a wire stripper or utility knife to ensure they are clean before screwing them into the terminal screws of the new replacement outlet. Make sure to connect the white wire and black wire to the silver screw in the same way as the old outlet and the ground wire to the green screw. Once you put the outlet back into the housing box and tighten the screws, reinstall the outlet cover, and turn the breaker back on to ensure power is back to the outlet.

Because replacing an outlet requires rewiring it into the electrical box, you must attach each wire to its appropriate connection to avoid shorts.

If you’re not comfortable with doing electrical outlet repair yourself, we recommend calling a professional to replace it. An electrician can replace your outlet quickly and easily to ensure your home is safely powered.

Electrical Outlet Repair for Los Angeles

If you have even the slightest doubt about your ability to make an electrical fix safely, and feel like this home improvement project is not a good DIY project, it’s best to book a professional electrician through Pulled that will be able to fix your loose outlets or provide any other electrical services you need quickly and safely. Electrical problems can become a hazard so it’s best to call us today or book your project online.

Have you ever wiggled an electrical plug out of the socket? Or, had to pull hard at an angle because the outlet moved? You might be wondering why they become loose and how to fix loose electrical outlets.

The constant movement over time and the position of the electrical box can cause electrical sockets to become loose. This is not only frustrating but can potentially be dangerous if left unrepaired. 

In my video, I have pinpointed several solutions for this problem. These range from simple fixes like tightening screws to more complex problems like fitting spacers behind the electrical box. Not to worry - I have found several easy solutions that will repair this annoying and potentially dangerous problem for good.  

SAFETY FIRST:

Whenever dealing with electricity, you will want to shut off the main power from your electrical breaker box. To be sure that the power is turned off to the electrical socket, use a circuit tester. This inexpensive tool is a fast and convenient way to verify whether the outlet is actually delivering power. Circuit testers typically look like a pen with a tip that you stick into the outlet or look like an AC plug with red and yellow light indicators.

TIGHTENING SCREWS: 

There are a few reasons why outlets can become loose. In my case, the screws needed to be tightened because the outlet moved around inside the electrical box. The solution is simply to remove the cover plate and tighten the screws connecting the outlet to the box. Now, the cover plate is flush with the outlet and is firmly in place.

ELECTRICAL BOX SET BACK:

If you’ve tried that, and it has not solved your problem, it may be that the electrical box is set too deep into the wall. You will know if that is your issue because tightening the screws will cause the outlet to be recessed from the cover plate. If you find that your electrical box is set deep in the wall, then your solution will be to use spacers to help the screws attach to the electrical box. There are a number of different types of spacers to use which I demonstrate in the video.

The first type of spacer is easily customizable as it comes in a long strip that can be folded and cut, as demonstrated in the video. You will be able to fold these to the right thickness that you require to fix the wobbly outlet. These can simply be placed between the outlet and the box and tightened to achieve the perfect fit. Red Switch and Receptacle Spacers

Another type of spacer is plastic tubing made specifically for this use, Plastic Round Tubing Spacers. These come in different lengths, and the best approach is to take a utility knife to cut and fit it based on the gap that you are trying to fix. Once you have carefully cut a piece of the plastic tubing with the utility knife, back up the screws of the outlet and slip the screw inside the spacer. Tighten until the outlet is flush with the cover plate and it is stable. 

SCENARIO WHERE ELECTRICAL BOX IS SET TOO FAR BACK:

If your electrical box is on a wall with backsplash tile, wainscotting, or an additional layer of wallboard, it may be recessed so far into the wall where even a spacer won’t help. In this instance, where your electrical box is extremely recessed and spacers aren’t enough, there is another solution

to fix this problem. You can use a box extender like this Receptacle Outlet Box Extender. Simply pull the receptacle out of the box and slip the extender over the outlet. When it’s in place, simply tighten the screws. 

In some cases, it is possible that your loose outlet is the result of a loose electrical box within the wall. It is possible to fix this problem with a wall plate spacer - without having to open up the wall. Slipping the spacer plate behind the receptacle and tightening the screws should do the job! 

A loose outlet may be frustrating, but it can be easily fixed with one of these solutions. Whether your outlet is slightly loose from a screw, or if you need a type of spacer for a better fitting, watch the full video for an in-depth solution to fix your loose outlet.