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Plug stuck in receptacle

theantiAIRBHG

theantiAIRBHG

Well-Known Member
May 25, 2011
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Hiawatha, IA
So somehow Ms A got her flat iron plug stuck in our bathroom GFCI receptacle this am. I can't get it unstuck for the life of me and don't have time to deal with it before work. I shut the breaker off to that outlet so hopefully that should make me feel safer about it while I'm out of the house today, right? I'm assuming my only choice is prolly going to be replacing the outlet and smashing the old one to get the plug out? Thoughts?
 
Here is what I would try. Leave the breaker off and pry the plug out with a screwdriver. Force the screwdriver down between the two prongs and pry.
 
If you can get the plastic covering for the outlet off, it might give you more wagon space to try to pry the thing out. From there on out it depends if the flat iron is bent or if it's something wrong with the outlet.
 
Swing by the store, get a couple of these, start lifting them until you can remove a plug from a socket.

HHNS-TN10.png
 
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Dealt with before. Not an iron though. Breaker off and unscrew plate, remove receptacle with plug and replace. This way you'll be able to use the outlet again and have more space to remove stuck plug. (Or throw it away)
 
I'm just gonna leave the power off to that outlet while I'm at work because I'm a worry wort. I'll just pick up a new GFCI outlet after work and replace it. I took the outlet away from the box and it's not split to anything else. Should be an easy fix.

Then I'll let the Ms deal with getting her flat iron unplugged from the old outlet.
 
oldman said:
Here is what I would try. Leave the breaker off and pry the plug out with a screwdriver. Force the screwdriver down between the two prongs and pry.
Click to expand...

It's odd. It's only the one prong that seems stuck. The prong in the hot side of the outlet is loose. I'm assuming the flare of the larger prong is just lodged in the outlet so I may as well just replace it to make sure I don't break anything inside the outlet tugging on it.
 
theantiAIRBHG said:
I'm just gonna leave the power off to that outlet while I'm at work because I'm a worry wort. I'll just pick up a new GFCI outlet after work and replace it. I took the outlet away from the box and it's not split to anything else. Should be an easy fix.

Then I'll let the Ms deal with getting her flat iron unplugged from the old outlet.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a plan. Might have had something arc in there and fuse the plug to the old outlet, so you definitely don't want to use that one again.
 
Breaker off
Cut cord to flat iron
Install a nice hanging light from ceiling
Attach the cords with some wire nuts & duct tape
Breaker on
 
theantiAIRBHG said:
It's odd. It's only the one prong that seems stuck. The prong in the hot side of the outlet is loose. I'm assuming the flare of the larger prong is just lodged in the outlet so I may as well just replace it to make sure I don't break anything inside the outlet tugging on it.
Click to expand...

So did she flip the plug and force the large prong into the small hole? (The jokes write themselves on that one)
 
Cyclonepride said:
Sounds like a plan. Might have had something arc in there and fuse the plug to the old outlet, so you definitely don't want to use that one again.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm thinking. Especially since it's just one of the two prongs. As long as I leave the breaker off I'll have nothing to worry about while I'm at work, right?

Side note. This is the first time I've had to open my breaker panel in two years since moving into this apt complex. I was pleasantly surprised how well labeled and clean everything was. This GFCI plug for instance is on a breaker all alone. So it'll be nice to have light in the room while working on it.
 
theantiAIRBHG said:
That's what I'm thinking. Especially since it's just one of the two prongs. As long as I leave the breaker off I'll have nothing to worry about while I'm at work, right?

Side note. This is the first time I've had to open my breaker panel in two years since moving into this apt complex. I was pleasantly surprised how well labeled and clean everything was. This GFCI plug for instance is on a breaker all alone. So it'll be nice to have light in the room while working on it.
Click to expand...

Yes you should be fine. Nothing should burn down.


Or leave the breaker on and just cool down the GFCI with water.
 
I agree with replacing. The outlet is likely damaged in some way.
 
Bret44 said:
Yes you should be fine. Nothing should burn down.


Or leave the breaker on and just cool down the GFCI with water.
Click to expand...

As a self-prescribed electrician, I can confirm this works 90% of the time every time.
 
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