Power outages and electrical system problems can both cause an appliance to lose power. But if the other appliances in the room are getting power, the problem likely lies with the appliance itself. Here are some of the common issues that could cause this lack of power with an electrical appliance.

1. Blown fuse

If just one appliance doesn't seem to be getting power, that's probably not from a blown fuse (or tripped circuit breaker) in your electrical panel unless the appliance is on its own circuit. However, there can still be a blown fuse inside the appliance itself. An appliance such as a microwave can have a fuse to ensure that the appliance doesn't start an electrical fire; if too much current escapes, the fuse will blow, severing the unit's connection to the power supply.

Although it's a great safety feature, this also means you won't be able to use the appliance until you get it repaired with a new fuse.

2. Bad connection

A bad wiring connection inside your appliance somewhere can also keep the electricity from causing the unit to operate. A bad connection can also create an electrical arc, which could cause sparking and electrical fires. So if you notice smoke, a smoke smell, sparks, or part of the appliance starting to heat up, disconnect it from the power supply immediately. 

You should also make sure not to leave the appliance plugged in if you're unsure why it won't turn on. You don't want to give it a chance to burn your house down while you're not looking if it has a bad connection.

3. Frayed electrical cord

The cord that connects your appliance to the wall is an essential part of the equation. If the cord has been damaged, such as by fraying or being walked on too much, it may not be able to transmit power to the appliance correctly. Your appliance repair company should be able to replace the cord in this situation.

4. Not plugged in

Service calls where the problem turns out to be as simple as an unplugged cord are more common than you might think. Never assume that your appliance is plugged in if it won't turn on. Someone else who lives in your house may have unplugged the appliance for some reason. Or, the plug may have simply fallen out of the outlet if the outlet's contact points are worn out.

5. Failed capacitor

Some types of kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators, may rely on capacitors to run properly. If the appliance's start capacitor goes bad, it won't be able to start up, even if it's connected to the electricity correctly. In this case, you'll need a repair service to replace the capacitor for you.

These are just some of the common reasons why an appliance may suddenly refuse to turn on as usual. Get in touch with an appliance service company like Northshore Appliance Repair Inc today for more help with your recalcitrant appliance.