Holiday Light Safety: Why Christmas Lights Keep Tripping Your GFCI (and How To Fix It)

It’s the kids' favorite time of the year, which means decorating the outside of your house with so many lights that Santa can’t possibly miss your roof. You’re standing on a ladder several feet in the air and can feel the cold seeping through your insufficient clothing, but you’ve got all the strings hung and draped just the way they want them. There are a few inflatable decorations staked to the yard that you hope won’t get launched into the next county by a strong gust of wind. 

Then you flip the switch, and all your hard work twinkles for a moment. You hear the click. Your GFCI outlet tripped … again.

Now the kids are bummed, and you’re pulling your hair out. But you’re not alone in your frustration. It happens to thousands of people across the country every Christmas season.

In this article, you’ll learn why your holiday lights keep tripping your GFCI and how to fix it.

We’ll cover how GFCIs work, common reasons yours might be tripping, and tips to keep your lights twinkling safely all season long.

Table of Contents

• Understanding GFCI Outlets and What Causes Them To Trip

• Why Does My GFCI Outlet Keep Tripping With Christmas Lights?

• Holiday Light Safety Tips That Will Help Keep Your GFCI Outlet From Tripping

• Troubleshooting Steps You Can Take Before Calling an Electrician

• When To Call a Professional About Your Christmas Light Issues

• Have a Safe Holiday Season With PDX Electric

Understanding GFCI Outlets and What Causes Them To Trip

A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlet is specifically designed to keep people safe. It acts as a first line of defense against electrical shock by cutting off power if it feels any electrical imbalance. These types of outlets matter because they prevent you from getting shocked should electricity escape if there’s moisture or a fault. GCFI outlets are essential in places like bathrooms and outdoor spaces, as they protect you and your holiday lights from causing shocks.

Electrical safety should always be a top priority for any homeowner, and at PDX Electric, it’s one of our top goals. If you’re having electrical issues, stay safe and give us a call. We’ll deal with the problem so you don’t have to.

Why Does My GFCI Outlet Keep Tripping With Christmas Lights?

Too much moisture inside the outlet, too many attached light strings overloading the circuit, extension cords causing ground faults, or low-quality or damaged light sets are all possible reasons your Christmas lights are tripping your GFCI outlet.

4 Reasons Christmas Lights Trip GFCI Outlets

#1: Moisture Exposure

When water or snow gets into outdoor Christmas lighting connections or plugs, it can cause the outlet to trip. Even a tiny bit of water getting in can make the GFCI outlet think there’s a leak and cut off its power. Be sure to use appropriate coverings to shield them from moisture and the outdoor elements.

#2: Overloaded Circuits or Too Many Light Strings

Plugging too many light strings into a single outlet or plug or connecting too many strings of lights end to end can overload the GFCI, making it trip to prevent electric shocks or possible damage. Spread the lights across several circuits to ease the load and prevent tripping individual circuits.

#3: Ground Faults Caused by Extension Cords

When setting up outdoor lights, using the incorrect type of extension cord can cause an issue. Make sure to use only outdoor-rated extension cords when running outdoor holiday lights. Using cords meant only for inside use can emit tiny electrical leaks that will trip GFCI circuits.

#4: Damaged or Low-Quality Light Sets

Poor quality bargain bin or old, worn-out lights often short out, causing the circuit to trip, and are more likely to cause a dangerous shock from non-GFCI outlets. Consider upgrading to a new, nicer, and higher-quality set this Christmas.

Holiday Light Safety Tips That Will Help Keep Your GFCI Outlet From Tripping

• Don’t connect too many strings of lights (daisy-chaining). – Most sets are only designed for 3–5 light strands max.

• Check for damaged wiring or worn-out bulbs. — Low-quality light sets are only designed to last 1 to 2 seasons, while higher-quality sets can last 6 to 7 if well maintained.

• Protect connections from rain/snow with durable, weatherproof covers. — Plastic or rubber weatherproof “bubble” or “in-use” covers are reusable, inexpensive, and one of the best ways to stop your Christmas lights from tripping your GFCI.

• Only use outdoor-rated extension cords. — These types of cords are specifically designed with tougher insulation that can stand up to snow, rain, and sun.

• Don’t overload the extension cords.— Each cord has a maximum load it can handle; plugging too many lights into a single cord can overload it, causing constant tripping.

• Use smart plugs or timers to manage energy usage and safety. — Managing your Christmas lighting has never been easier with smart plugs and timers. Set them once and you’ll never forget to turn them off again. You’ll also reduce the time they're exposed to the harsh winter weather and save you money on your electric bill.

Troubleshooting Steps You Can Take Before Calling an Electrician

• Reset the GFCI outlet— Press the red reset button in the middle of the outlet plate until you hear a click. If it trips immediately, something else is causing it.

• Check for damaged cord or plugs — Weathering, overuse, or poor-quality light sets can wear down and might need replacing with nicer, updated sets. Just a small crack in the cord's insulation can let in moisture and cause a trip. Swap out your cords before they fail.

• Remove extra plugs — Too many plugs in an outlet can overload the circuit and cause it to trip. If you’re running lights, yard decor, and inflatables on a single cord, it’s likely too much for a single cord and can cause outlet tripping. 

• Try shorter strings of lights — Test your GFCI outlet by plugging in smaller sections of lights; you might be overloading the circuit. It’s usually recommended that no more than five strands be connected end to end.

When To Call a Professional About Your Christmas Light Issues

If your GFCI outlet keeps tripping even after following these troubleshooting tips and you don’t know why, it’s time to call in some professional help, like the certified electrical pros at PDX Electric. 

You should also call if you detect any signs that signal a dangerous situation, such as: 

• A burning smell

• Sparks

• A plug or outlet that is hot to the touch

• Flickering lights

• Discolored outlet faceplate

Have a Safe Holiday Season With PDX Electric

Christmas lights tripping your GFCI outlets can be aggravating, but tracking down the source of the problem doesn’t need to be. Following the troubleshooting tips we’ve provided will solve most of the common tripping causes. However, if those don’t fix the issue, give us a call at PDX Electric. We can identify and solve any possible GFCI tripping causes quickly and efficiently, and always keep your family’s safety our top priority. We want you to have a safe, fun holiday season.

The holidays are stressful enough — don’t let electrical issues get added to your list. With help from PDX Electric, you can focus on the important stuff — like making memories — and not on figuring out why your lights aren’t twinkling.