No Power In The Whole House

Your entire home has lost electricity. No lights, no sockets — everything is dead.

£80 – £250High Risk

What is this?

A complete loss of power to your home means no circuit in the property is working. This could be caused by a supply issue from your energy provider, a main fuse failure, or a fault in your consumer unit. It is one of the most common electrical emergencies in UK homes.

Common causes

Main fuse (cut-out fuse) has blown
Power cut in your area from the Distribution Network Operator (DNO)
RCD or main switch in consumer unit has tripped
Faulty meter or meter isolation switch turned off
Damaged supply cable (especially after building work)

Is it dangerous?

A total power loss itself is not immediately dangerous, but the underlying cause could be. If you smell burning, see scorch marks, or the power loss followed a bang or flash, treat it as an emergency. Do not attempt to reset anything until you have ruled out a serious fault.

Can I fix it myself?

First, check if your neighbours also have no power — if so, it is a supply issue and you should contact your DNO (not your energy supplier). Check your consumer unit: if the main switch or RCD has tripped, try resetting it once. If it trips again immediately, do not keep resetting it. Never touch the main fuse (the sealed unit before the meter) — this belongs to the DNO and is illegal to tamper with.

When to call an electrician

Call an electrician if your consumer unit trips again after resetting, if the main switch will not stay on, or if you cannot identify why the power is out and your neighbours have power. If there is any sign of burning or damage, call an emergency electrician immediately.

What will an electrician do?

Inspect the consumer unit and main switch for faults

Test the incoming supply to confirm power is reaching the property

Use insulation resistance testing to identify faults on circuits

Repair or replace any faulty protective devices (RCDs, MCBs)

Liaise with the DNO if the fault is on the supply side

Typical cost

£80 – £250

Emergency callout may be higher, especially outside business hours. If the fault is on the DNO supply side, their repair is free.

Find a Local Electrician

Need a qualified electrician? Browse all London electricians or find one in a borough near you.

Sources & References

Frequently Asked Questions

Why has my whole house lost power?

The most common causes are a tripped main switch or RCD in your consumer unit, a blown main fuse, or a power cut in your area. Check your consumer unit first, then check with neighbours.

Should I call my energy supplier or an electrician?

If your neighbours also have no power, call your Distribution Network Operator (DNO), not your energy supplier. If only your home is affected, call an electrician.

Is it safe to reset the trip switch?

You can try resetting it once. If it trips again immediately, stop and call an electrician — there is a fault that needs professional diagnosis.

How do I find my DNO?

Visit the Energy Networks Association website or call 105 (the national power cut number) to be connected to your local DNO.

Need help with this?

Book an Electrician