Skip to main content

Water Heater Reset Button Keeps Tripping

Three common causes, what is safe to check yourself, and when to call a pro.

The high-limit safety switch tripped because the water got too hot

Pro required

Most common

Safe to check yourself

  • Look at the reset button to see whether it's popped out
  • Check the thermostat setting to see if it looks unusually high

This switch exists to stop the tank from overheating. If it trips more than once, that's a sign of a deeper problem, and resetting it repeatedly without a diagnosis is not safe. Have a technician find out why it keeps tripping.

A faulty heating element or thermostat

Pro required

Common

Safe to check yourself

  • Check whether the breaker for the water heater is switched to the on position, by looking at it, without touching any wiring
  • Check whether the reset trips again shortly after being reset

This is inside the electrical compartment. Testing and replacing the element or thermostat is work for a licensed technician.

A wiring issue or short circuit

Pro required

Less common

Safe to check yourself

  • Check whether the breaker itself trips, separate from the reset button on the tank
  • Check whether other outlets or breakers in the home are also affected

Wiring problems are mains-electric work. This is not a DIY fix under any circumstances.

DIY or pro, at a glance

  • The high-limit safety switch tripped because the water got too hotPro required
  • A faulty heating element or thermostatPro required
  • A wiring issue or short circuitPro required

When more than one cause is possible, start from the most common one above. If you are not sure which cause applies, this one is a pro job.

Not sure if it is worth fixing?

Run the numbers on repair versus replacement cost for your water heater.

See repair or replace costs for a water heater

Last updated 2026-07-03.