Compressor won't turn on & lights and plugs fail

Compressor won't turn on to pump air into the tank. Also the lights and outlets in the garage go out(won't work) when the compressor is unplugged or when the on/off switch is off on the compressor. What should I do?

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Bill says...

When your compressor is not plugged into the garage socket, the lights and outlets in the garage work? And then, when you plug in the compressor, even if it's turned off, the lights and outlets in the garage don't work?

Are you having a fuse blow or a breaker pop?

It sounds to me as though the pressure switch has failed to ground at the cut in pressure level, meaning that every time you plug in the compressor, you are shorting the circuit and that's blowing a fuse or popping a breaker.

I would ask an electrician, or remove and replace the pressure switch, or take the compressor to a repair depot, depending on my skill and comfort level.