Flickering lights are one of the most common calls we get. The good news is that a lot of the time the fix is simple. The not-so-good news is that sometimes flickering is your house trying to tell you something. Here’s how to sort it out.
Only one light is flickering
Start with the easy stuff.
- Check the bulb. Turn the light off, let it cool, and make sure the bulb is screwed in snug. A loose bulb is the number one cause.
- Try a different bulb. Bulbs can go bad, especially cheap LEDs.
- Look at the dimmer. Older dimmer switches weren’t made for LED bulbs and can cause flickering or buzzing. An LED-rated dimmer usually solves it.
If you’ve tried all that and it still flickers, there may be a loose connection in the fixture or the switch. That one’s worth a call, because loose connections can get hot.
Lights dim when something big turns on
A quick dip when the AC, the dryer, or a big appliance kicks on can happen in a lot of homes. But if it’s a big, noticeable dim every time, or it’s getting worse, your circuit may be overloaded or your electrical service may be too small for what your home needs today.
The whole house is flickering
If lights all over the house are flickering, the problem is usually bigger than one fixture. It could be a loose connection in your panel, a problem with the main service wires coming into your home, or an issue on the power company’s side. Check with your neighbors. If they’re seeing it too, call your power company. If it’s just your house, call an electrician.
When to call right away
Don’t wait if flickering comes with any of these:
- A burning smell
- Buzzing or crackling from a switch, outlet, or your panel
- Outlets or switch plates that feel warm
- Breakers tripping
Those are signs of a loose or overheating connection, and that’s the kind of thing that can start a fire.
We’ll track it down
Flickering can be tricky to pin down, but that’s what we do. We’ll find what’s actually causing it, explain it in plain English, and fix it right so you’re not chasing it again next month.