How to Straighten Crooked Outlets

By
Timothy Thiele
Timothy Thiele

Timothy Thiele has an associate degree in electronics and is an IBEW Local #176 Union Electrician with over 30 years of experience in residential, commercial, and industrial wiring.

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Updated on 03/22/23
Reviewed by
Larry Campbell
Larry Campbell
Reviewed by Larry Campbell

Larry Campbell is an electrical contractor with 36 years of experience in residential and light commercial electrical wiring. He worked as an electronic technician and later an engineer for the IBM Corp. is a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board
How to straighten a crooked electrical outlet

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0

For many people, anything related to electricity is a little intimidating, and so those outlet receptacles that are sitting slightly off-kilter or tilted to one side might never be touched at all—even as they drive homeowners a little crazy with their imperfection.

Homeowners need not put up with this annoyance, though. It is very easy to make these outlet receptacles sit upright within the outlet box. All it takes is a screwdriver. As an added bonus, you can use the same technique to straighten wall switches if they are slightly tilted.  

Before You Begin

Turn off the power to the outlet at your home's service panel (circuit breaker box). Switch off the breaker feeding the outlet's circuit, then test the outlet with a non-contact voltage tester to make sure the power is off. If you don't have a tester, you can plug a lamp into the outlet and turn it on; the breaker that turns off the lamp is the correct breaker. 

Featured Video

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Screwdriver
  • Non-contact voltage tester

Materials

  • Outlet screws

Instructions

Tools for adjusting a crooked electrical outlet

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  1. Remove the Cover Plate

    Remove the screw at the center of the outlet's cover plate. This usually requires a small flathead screwdriver. Remove the cover plate and set it aside. 

    Removing the cover plate on the electrical outlet

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Loosen the Mounting Ears

    Loosen the two screws holding the receptacle's metal mounting ears to the electrical box. There's one at the top and one at the bottom of the receptacle's mounting strap. These are usually combination-type screws that can accept either a flathead or Phillips screwdriver. You only need to loosen them a couple of turns; just enough so that the mounting strap ears can slide under the screws. The ears have elongated holes allowing for slight adjustment of the receptacle from side to side. 

    Loosening the mounting ears on the outlet

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Adjust the Receptacle

    Use one hand to push or twist the receptacle to straighten it and hold it in place, then tighten the two mounting screws with the other hand. If you loosen both screws and move the outlet as far as it will go, you can twist the receptacles a full 1/4 inch or more.

    Adjusting the receptacle

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Reinstall the Cover Plate and Restore Power

    Reinstall the cover plate with its screw, making sure it is straight, too. Be careful not to overtighten the screw; it's very easy to crack a plastic cover plate.

    Switch the breaker back on at the service panel to restore power to the outlet.

    Note: You can simply place a flat head screwdriver along the side of the cover on the side opposite the direction you need the device to go. A light tap to the handle with often move the plate and device into alignment.

    Reinstalling the cover plate

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris