# What happens if I can’t reset the safety switch? 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) 4. What happens if I can’t reset the safety switch? **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) - [Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do](https://arlite.co/support/solar/hail-storm-damaged-solar-panels-what-to-do/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [What happens if I can’t reset the safety switch?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-wont-reset/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why is there no hot water? Electrical faults explained](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/no-hot-water-electrical-checks/) [Costs and finance](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/) - [How does interest-free finance work for home energy upgrades?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/interest-free-finance-home-energy-upgrades/) - [What affects the cost of a home battery in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/what-affects-home-battery-cost-brisbane/) - [Can I get compensation for a power outage in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/power-outage-compensation-energex/) - [How much does an electrician cost per hour in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/electrician-cost-brisbane/) - [What affects switchboard upgrade cost?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/switchboard-upgrade-cost/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) A safety switch that will not stay on means a fault on its circuit; do not force it, note what is affected and call a licensed electrician. By Amanda Cooper, Arlite Energy Last reviewed 30 October 2026 4 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. What does it mean when a safety switch will not stay on? 2. Why shouldn’t I keep trying? 3. Which parts of the house are affected? 4. Is the whole street out as well? 5. What if I am renting? 6. What to do when you contact an electrician 7. What will the electrician do? 8. Frequently asked questions If a safety switch will not stay on, there is a fault on the circuit it protects, in the wiring or in something connected to it. Do not force it. Note which lights or power points have lost power and call a licensed electrician, or call 000 if there is smoke, sparks or a burning smell. ## What does it mean when a safety switch will not stay on? A safety switch cuts power when it senses electricity leaking to earth. If it trips again straight away, the leak is still there. It could be a fixed appliance such as a hot water system or oven, damaged or damp wiring, or a fault in the switch itself. From the switchboard, there is no safe way to tell which. ## Why shouldn’t I keep trying? Repeated attempts do not fix a fault, and the device is telling you something is unsafe. Forcing a switch to stay on, or interfering with it, takes away your protection against electric shock. Please leave it alone and let a licensed electrician work out what is wrong. When to call 000 If you see smoke or sparks, smell burning, or anyone has had a shock, leave the building, keep children and pets with you, and call 000. Do not touch anything wet around the switchboard or affected equipment. If anyone depends on powered medical equipment and their health is at risk, call 000 as well. ## Which parts of the house are affected? This is the most useful thing you can tell an electrician. Safety switches commonly cover a group of circuits, such as power points, lighting or an oven, so the pattern of what is dead points toward the fault. For example, if only some power points are dead, the problem is likely on that part of the wiring or something connected to it. ## Is the whole street out as well? If neighbours have lost power too, the problem may not be in your home. Contact your network provider’s faults line. If only your property is affected, treat it as an electrical fault and call a licensed electrician. ## What if I am renting? Tell your property manager or owner as soon as you can, in writing if possible, and describe what has stopped working. Safety switch repairs and installation must be done by a licensed electrician, and in Queensland the Electrical Safety Office is the regulator for that work. What you can safely check Without touching the switchboard, write down which lights, power points or appliances have no power, when it started, and anything that happened beforehand, such as a storm, a new appliance or a power surge. If you can see the switchboard without opening a cover, take a photo from where you stand. ## What to do when you contact an electrician 1. Give the location and the pattern — Say which areas have no power and whether the safety switch trips straight away or after a while. 2. Share the timeline — Include when it began and any event that preceded it, such as heavy rain or new appliances. 3. Ask about interim safety — Ask the electrician whether anything needs special care in the meantime, and tell them about anyone who relies on powered medical equipment. ## What will the electrician do? A licensed electrician will usually start by working out which circuits are protected by the switch that will not stay on. They then use test equipment to measure the circuit and its connected equipment safely, find where the leakage is occurring, and repair or replace the faulty part. They will also check that the safety switch itself is working as it should before they leave. Ask them what they found and what documentation applies to the work, and keep it with your home records. ## Frequently asked questions - Not without the circuit being checked. The fault is still there, and a licensed electrician should find it before the circuit is used again. - That usually means the leak to earth is constant, such as damaged wiring or a faulty fixed appliance. It needs a licensed electrician. - Yes, storms can cause moisture ingress or surges that damage equipment. Mention the storm to the electrician. - The owner is generally responsible for arranging repairs to the electrical installation through a licensed electrician. Report the fault to your property manager promptly. [Learn about Electrical](https://arlite.co/services/electrical/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [ElectricalWhy does my safety switch keep tripping?A safety switch keeps tripping when it detects current leaking to earth, such as from a faulty appliance or moisture; never bypass it.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [ElectricalDo rental properties need a safety switch in Queensland?Queensland rental owners generally must have safety switches protecting power point circuits; check the RTA and ESO for current rules.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-rental-property-queensland/) - [ElectricalWhy is my house the only one without power?If neighbours still have power, the fault may be in your home's own electrical installation; check the outage map and call a licensed electrician.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/only-my-house-no-power/) - [ElectricalWhy does my circuit breaker keep tripping?A breaker keeps tripping when a circuit is overloaded, shorted or leaking, or the breaker is worn; a licensed electrician should find which.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. What does it mean when a safety switch will not stay on? 2. Why shouldn’t I keep trying? 3. Which parts of the house are affected? 4. Is the whole street out as well? 5. What if I am renting? 6. What to do when you contact an electrician 7. What will the electrician do? 8. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Page: https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-wont-reset/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).