Very hard to plug in and unplug cords from electrical outlets - Why and how to fix it?

Question

Many of the standard electrical outlets in my house are "sticky" - it's very hard to push an electric cord into the outlet and very hard to pull it back out. After several uses, the face plates actually crack and break from the pressure of pushing and pulling so hard.

I haven't spilled or sprayed anything on the outlets, so I have no idea what could have caused this problem. The outlets were like this when I moved in. If it makes any difference, the house is in a desert climate and was built in the late '80s or early '90s.

What causes this problem? Is there something simple I can do to make the outlets function smoothly again? Or will it be necessary to have my landlord get an electrician to fix the problem?

Adam D · Accepted Answer

you might want to try replacing some of the outlets.

RoeB · Answer

This could be hospital grade outlets which are very well made and are made to make very good contact. After 20 some odd years they would have to be good to have this kind of tension.
You could go to an electrical supply store and buy a small amount of no-oxide. This is a compound used on electrical contacts to keep down corrosion. Place a very small amount on a plug, then go around to each outlet and plug it in and out a few times. This should lube the connectors enough to make it easier to use...

Leonard M · Answer

A agree with adam.

spooty1 · Answer

try using some graphite power if its still sticky use a fine file to remove some of the plugs edge

kwkeegan3 · Answer

take off the faceplate, disconnect the outlet take a small screwdriver or wedge and stick it in the holes and wedge them open a little... or wash them out prolly just corrosion... big prong in big hole littleprong in little hole

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Very hard to plug in and unplug cords from electrical outlets - Why and how to fix it?

5 Answers