Electrical outlets do not have a set lifetime before they will go bad. Outlets that are used often can become worn out or may quit working due to overuse. An outlet can go bad and stop working. More commonly, electrical outlets (especially those with high usage) will wear out over time. You may find that when you plug items in they are loose in the plug, or your outlet looks cracked or damaged and those are signs that the outlet is bad even if it is still working.
Loose or damaged outlets are a safety concern and should be replaced as soon as possible.
GFCI outlets do have a more set lifespan (anywhere from 10-25 years depending on use and environment). Different environmental and usage conditions will affect the lifespan of the outlet, however.
A bad outlet can affect other outlets. Outlets are often wired in parallel, meaning that multiple outlets are wired on the same circuit downstream from one another, which can affect how multiple outlets on a circuit work.
For example, an area in your home has 4 outlets wired on the same circuit downstream from one another. If the first outlet that is wired in that room goes out, it can cause the 3 remaining outlets in the room to stop working, as well.
A damaged outlet may appear damaged or may just not work. A bad GFCI outlet may still function as an outlet without providing any GFCI protection. A bad or broken outlet can become a safety or fire hazard.
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