Plug a voltage tester into the outlet to test if the outlet is still live. If you aren’t sure which circuit your outlet connects to, you can turn off the main breaker at the top of the box, but it will shut off all of the power in your home.
Keep the screw in a cup so you don’t lose it during your repairs.
If the screws are already tight, then the electrical box inside the wall might be loose instead.
If the outlets are still recessed into the wall after you tighten the screws, click on another spacer and screw the outlet back in. It may take a few tries to figure out how many spacers you need to use.
Some electrical box extenders come with longer screws to secure your outlet even better. Extenders are perfect if you need if you’re extending an outlet after installing a backsplash or any other addition to your wall.
The wall plate spacer clamps the outlet against the drywall so the box doesn’t move around anymore.
Use a voltage tester to check that the outlet doesn’t have any power running through it. If the outlet is still live, then it’s controlled by a different switch.
Properly identify the wires. Some outlets have 1 black live wire and 1 white neutral wire attached to them. Others may have 2 live wires and 2 neutral wires to carry power to another outlet. Your outlet may also have a green or bare wire for a grounding screw. If there are multiple wires attached to the outlet, take a picture of how they’re connected. Alternatively, you can wrap a piece of masking tape around each one and label which screw it was connected to.
Be careful not to connect the wires to the wrong screws since it could cause a short circuit or shock. If the ends of the wires are frayed, trim them with a pair of wire strippers and strip the coating off the wires to wrap around the screws.
If the outlet doesn’t fit in the box, gently move the wires around to move them out of the way until the outlet fits in.
If your outlet doesn’t work, then you may have an issue with your wiring. Turn off the power again and recheck that the wires are attached properly.
