I find often that a blown breaker will trip, but not turn the lever off.
Just run a finger across each one, and the tripped one will snap all the way off.
I'm guessing this was a "slight" overload, and not a massive short.
Chris.
I learned after the fact there was an electric heater on that branch. They only told me about the outlets not working.
All the in-wall electric heaters in my house are wired 240V and have their own breakers in a box outside. Apparently a 120V heater, perhaps one of those portable fire starters.
Next time I will cycle the breakers off/on if I have to deal with questionable breakers.
I'm glad it was something simple... in hindsight I would have probably found it if I checked under the hood but apparently that was not even necessary. So still glad I deferred to a professional even though my initial judgement to suspect a breaker turns out to be correct.
JR