I recently replaced a regular outlet with a GFCI. This is on a 15A circuit that powers this outlet as well as 2 outlets downstream.

The GFCI and the other 2 outlets worked fine for about 2 weeks. Had a family member plug in their hair iron in one of the downstream outlets and noticed there’s no power.

I’ve removed both of these downstream outlets and verified that there weren’t any burnt wires or other anomalies.

In addition, at the GFCI outlet, I have re-checked that I had the load and line wires are in the correct slots. The little LED light in the GFCI doesn’t come on and pressing the reset and test buttons doesn’t result in the typical “click”.

I tried plugging in a 0.5W LED night light in both of the downstream outlets and it results in the LED night light coming on dimly.

Tried swapping the GFCI to a different GFCI - same behavior. I took the GFCI that I had in place here and put it in a different spot and it works fine.

Next I disconnected the load wires and verified there’s no voltage at the downstream outlets. With just the load wires at the GFCI, I still can’t get the test and reset buttons to click. Similarly, no GFCI LED indicator.

Finally, I took the GFCI off completely, turned the breaker on/off 3 times to measure voltages, which are listed below:

1. Reading 1. Hot:neutral: 86-88v (readings kept fluctuating)
2. Reading 1. Hot:ground: 86-88v (readings kept fluctuating)
3. Reading 2. Hot:neutral: 81-83v (readings kept fluctuating)
4. Reading 2. Hot:ground: 81-83v (readings kept fluctuating)
5. Reading 3. Hot:neutral: 91-97v (readings kept fluctuating)
6. Reading 3. Hot:ground: 91-97v (readings kept fluctuating)

I’m lost at this point. The outlet box where the GFCI is has the hot wires and neutral wires wire nutted together in their respective wire nuts.

Is the changes in voltage readings an indication of the circuit breaker going bad?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!