Electrical troubleshooting question

[IndyJay]

The simplist solution that fits the facts is the obvious answer. GFI in the circuit is a suspect; a bad outlet or bad connection on the outlet is another (check the wire with a meter, not your finger!). Could a rat or mouse have chewed through the wire somewhere? If so, replacing the entire run of wire is the only option.
If this is the only outlet on a breaker, it could be any of those things or more. If it's one of several, but the only one not working, it's most likely the outlet.

Occam's Razor!

 

[dougtrr2]

Reminds me of when we bought our first washing machine. It would not work. The outlet tested good if you plugged a lamp in to it, but the brand new washer wouldn't. The delivery guy and I were puzzling over this. My wife asked "What about that grey thing" (three prong adapter). We both just disregarded this advice and kept trying to figure out what was wrong.

Guess what, it was a bad three prong adapter. Finally tried a different on and all was right with the world. The first and only bad adapter I have seen.

Try the simple easy stuff first.

Doug in SW IA