However, they may sometimes cut off the power in situations where there's no real risk of suffering a shock. If the GFCI outlet trips when it seems to be operating properly, it could be protecting you from an issue somewhere else on the circuit. If you have a GFCI (or ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet that continually trips, you shouldn't just press the reset button and hope that nothing is wrong with the outlet or the electrical wiring. Common reasons why a GFCI outlet may trip include dampness in the outlet, deteriorating wiring, an overloaded circuit, and malfunctioning appliances. By taking the time to properly diagnose the reason you're seeing a red light on your GFCI outlet, you might be able to avoid the potential inconvenience and expense involved with replacing these outlets.