When a newly installed Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet trips instantly upon being reset or powered on, it is almost always caused by one of three common installation errors or circuit faults. First, the most frequent culprit is reversed wiring, where incoming power wires from the service panel are mistakenly connected to the "Load" terminals instead of the "Line" terminals. Second, a pinched wire touching the metal electrical box can create a direct ground fault. Third, a downstream short circuit or wet junction box can trigger the sensor. You can troubleshoot installation wiring safely by shutting off the breaker. You can verify that your corrective action is successful when turning off power, swapping wires from Load to Line terminals, and ensuring no bare copper touches metal box walls allows the GFCI to reset and hold power securely.
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