After a power surge, the first thing to do is not assume a GFCI outlet is fine just because it still has power. A GFCI can sometimes look normal and still fail to trip when it should, which is the real safety issue. The built-in test and reset buttons are the easiest starting point, and they tell you a lot, but they do not tell you everything.
To test a GFCI outlet, plug in a small lamp or night-light so you can clearly tell when power is cut off. Press the reset button first if the outlet is tripped or if you are not sure of its status. Then press the test button. A working GFCI should shut off power to the receptacle and the device plugged into it should turn off immediately. After that, press reset again and the power should come back on. If the outlet does not trip at all, will not reset, or keeps losing power randomly, that is a sign it may need replacement.
It is also worth checking every GFCI in the house, not just the one that got your attention. In many homes, one GFCI protects several downstream outlets in bathrooms, garages, kitchens, basements, or outdoors. A surge can affect one device, but a wiring issue elsewhere can make the whole circuit behave strangely. If you find a dead outlet, check nearby GFCIs before assuming the outlet itself failed.
If you want to be a little more thorough, use a plug-in GFCI tester. These are inexpensive and can tell you whether the outlet is wired correctly and whether the ground fault protection responds as expected. They are not perfect, but they are a good extra check. If the outlet trips with the test button but not with the tester, or the button feels loose, sticky, or unresponsive, replace the outlet rather than trusting it.
A big caution: if the surge was severe, inspect for other damage too. Look for scorch marks, a burning smell, warmth at the outlet, flickering lights, or breakers that keep tripping. If any of those are present, stop using that circuit and have it looked at. A GFCI is a safety device, but it is not meant to be the only thing protecting damaged wiring.
If you are not comfortable working around electrical panels or receptacles, or if the outlet is in a wet location and seems abnormal after the surge, calling a licensed electrician is the safer move. A quick replacement is simple in many cases, but only if the circuit is actually healthy. When in doubt, test carefully, compare all the GFCIs on that circuit, and replace any outlet that does not trip and reset reliably.
