Flickering lights? Check these common culprits

If the lights in your home are flickering and they aren't faux flames or Christmas tree lights, you're likely frustrated, annoyed and a little nervous. 

While some causes of flickering are easy to fix, there are bigger electrical issues you should always rule out to make sure your home is functioning safely. Pinpoint the reason your lights aren't acting as they should, and you could be back to full brightness in no time. 

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Try the simple fixes first

Before you pick up the phone to call an electrician, there could be a simple culprit causing your lighting problems. These adjustments could solve your flickering problem quickly and easily. 

Tighten loose bulbs

This might sound like an obvious solution, but it isn't always the first thing that comes to mind. If your light bulbs are flickering, turn off the power and, using a glove to protect your hand from heat, screw the bulb in more tightly.

If a light bulb is in too loosely the socket isn't making proper contact with the bulb, and that can cause intermittent flickering. Even recessed lights can loosen, so check those connections first.

Upgrade old or incompatible switches

If the source of the problem doesn't appear to be the bulb itself, take a look at the wall switch. An old dimmer switch designed to work with incandescent bulbs won't work well with LEDs. 

If bulbs connected to a dimmer are flickering, this is likely the reason why. Loose or poor wiring behind the switch could also cause flickering.  

Check the ratings for your bulbs and dimmer to be sure they're compatible. Mismatches here can lead to common fixture problems like buzzing or flickering. 

Try installing a new dimmer, like the Lutron Caseta, making sure to turn off power from the circuit breaker before doing any wiring work. 

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Try a smart bulb

If flickering happens when using a dimmer switch and replacing the switch doesn't solve the problem, consider upgrading to smart bulbs that don't need a physical dimmer switch. 

Dimming the bulb directly is more reliable and often solves dimming problems caused by old-fashioned dimming switches or aged wiring.

Bigger issues

If the simple fixes above don't solve your lighting issues, you may have a housewide problem or one that needs the attention of a certified electrician. 

Problems like the following not only can damage your lighting or appliances , but can put your home at risk of an electrical fire. Don't hesitate to call in a professional when wiring is in question. 

Check the current

Overloaded circuits can put your home's electrical system at risk. Large appliances and HVAC units can cause lights to flicker when they power on, because they're drawing a large current from the circuit. 

This could point to inadequate wiring to the appliance or a circuit breaker that isn't quite up to snuff. Contact a professional to be sure your circuit breaker is up to the task of powering everything in your home safely. 

If you're trying to pinpoint which appliance is causing flickering, start by powering each load on at the circuit breaker. Buzzing could also occur in this instance, so listen to each circuit as it is powered on. 

An overloaded circuit breaker is dangerous and in addition to causing problems with your lights, could even damage your appliances. 

Beware loose wiring

If something isn't wired quite right or if your home's wiring is very old, you might notice flickering in your lights. 

Loose wiring is one of the major causes in house fires and something you definitely shouldn't ignore. If you've tried multiple other methods to address flickering and it's still an issue, have an electrician take a look at your wiring.

Again, most flickering is caused by an old, faulty or incompatible wall switch or bulbs that are loose or of poor quality. There's a good chance that your lighting issues can be addressed by a quick fix like replacing a dimmer or swapping out a light bulb. 

However, if you have a wiring or circuit breaker issue, it's always best to get an expert opinion on the electricity flowing through your home.