Why Are My Home's Lights Flickering?

Worried about flickering lights? Often, the problem has a simple cause, such as a failing bulb or loose connections within the fixture.

However, flickering can also indicate more serious issues, such as faulty wiring and voltage fluctuations. That's why it's helpful to learn a few safe troubleshooting methods and understand when to contact a professional for help. This article will make the process easier for you by explaining:

• Common causes of flickering lights
• Diagnosing the severity of the issue
• Troubleshooting steps homeowners can try
• Why professional assistance is important
• Preventing flickering lights in the future

By the end, you'll know more about why your lights flicker and what you should do to resolve the problem.

Nothing's more frustrating than a light that won't stop flickering, especially if you're trying to read or work. There's usually a simple reason why your lights flicker, though. Common causes include:

• Loose light bulbs: Bulbs sometimes come loose due to vibrations within your home (or if they weren't originally installed tightly enough).
• Faulty bulbs: Faulty or failing bulbs are more prone to flickering. Sometimes, bulbs fail early, so this may happen even with long-life LEDs.
• Voltage fluctuations: Power surges or sudden fluctuations from energy-intensive appliances can cause your lights to flicker briefly.
• Overloaded circuits: Circuit overloads may cause flickering by preventing your lights from receiving a consistent power supply.
• Faulty fixtures: Faulty fixtures or loose connections inside fixtures can also cause flickering.

Flickering is rarely an urgent issue if it only occurs in a specific fixture, as it's most likely that fixture or the bulb inside to blame. However, you should still avoid using the affected light until you've had a chance to troubleshoot things.

Widespread flickering, on the other hand, may indicate issues with your electrical wiring or main panel. It could also be a sign of a more serious problem with either your electrical system or the power supply to your house.

When diagnosing the severity of flickering lights, see if you notice any patterns, such as times of the day when the flickering is more severe or if it only occurs when using certain appliances. Even if you can't solve the problem yourself, your findings may help guide your electrician to the root cause, saving time and money.

Still finding yourself wondering, "Why are my lights flickering?" While you obviously can't replace your main electrical panel or handle any wiring issues yourself, you can still troubleshoot minor issues in a few simple steps:

1. Check the light bulb first, ensuring it's screwed in tight
2. Remove the light bulb and check the fixture connections for looseness or damage
3. Try a new light bulb if there are no signs of fixture damage
4. Keep a log of when persistent flickering occurs
5. Turn off the circuit breaker to check what else that circuit is powering and rule out any overloads