It could be any one of a number of problems, but the most likely one is that a GFCI-receptacle has tripped at another location in the home. GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter and a GFCI-receptacle has two push-buttons between the top and bottom plug, like in the photo below. The bottom one is a test button and trips the device, cutting of the circuit, while the top button is the reset.

    A GFCI is designed to trip when it recognizes that some the electricity leaving the receptacle is not returning back, and someone could be getting shocked or even electrocuted because of it. All receptacles in wet locations such as kitchens, bathrooms, garage, and exterior are required to be GFCI-protected. Because the first receptacle in a string of them running around the home will protect all the ones downstream if it is a GFCI, builders put a GFCI-receptacle in one bathroom, for example, and it protects receptacles in other bathrooms around the house that do not have the push-buttons. 

    Sometimes a GFCI-receptacle in the garage will protect all the bathrooms in a home. So go around your home looking for GFCI-receptacles to see if the top button is popped out. If so, then push it in to reset the GFCI-device and open the circuit and you may—possibly, just possibly—have solved your dead bathroom receptacle mystery.

    Also, see our blog posts Are Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) really necessary and worth the trouble? and What electrical hazards does a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) NOT protect against?

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Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about AFCI and GFCI RECEPTACLES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS:

• Does a septic pump or sump pump require a GFCI-receptacle?

• What is the difference between what trips a GFCI (ground fault) receptacle and a circuit breaker?

 • What is the code requirement for GFCI protection for receptacles near a wet bar sink?

• When was GFCI-protection for kitchen dishwasher receptacle outlet first required? 

• When did arc fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) breakers first become required?

• Does a washing machine receptacle outlet require GFCI protection?

• My spa tub stopped working. What's wrong?  

• How do I identify a combination AFCI (CAFCI) circuit breaker? 

• What does "listed and labeled" mean for an electrical component?  

• What is the difference between GFCI and AFCI circuit breakers? 

• Where are GFCI receptacle outlets required?

• When were GFCI receptacle outlets first required?

• What happens when you press the "TEST" button on a circuit breaker in an electric panel?

• What is the difference between the electric service to a mobile home and a site built home? 

• Why is there a wall switch next to the furnace or indoor unit of the air conditioner in the garage?

• What is a Dual Function Circuit Interrupter (DFCI)? 

• How I can tell if a receptacle outlet is tamper resistant?

• What is the difference between a Combination Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (CAFCI) and an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) circuit breaker?  

• What is the difference between "grounded" and "grounding" electrical conductors? 

• My GFCI reset button is hard to push and won't reset. What's wrong?

• Why do some breakers in my electric panel have a "TEST" button on them?

    Visit our AFCI AND GFCI page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.