Why are my lights flickering?
Flickering lights can come from something simple, like a loose bulb or an LED paired with the wrong dimmer. They can also come from a loose wire. Whether it's one light or several is the quickest way to tell which. If lights dim when a big appliance kicks on, a small dip is normal. A deep dim or flicker across the house is worth an electrician's visit.
One light or many?
Start by asking one question: is it one light, or many? A single flickering fixture is usually the bulb, the way it's seated, or a dimmer switch that isn't made for LED bulbs. Old dimmers were designed for incandescent bulbs, and many LEDs flicker on them. Lights flickering across several rooms at once, or dimming when a big appliance starts, point to a wiring or service problem that needs an electrician.
What causes flicker
Vibration from doors and ceiling fans can slowly loosen a bulb.
Older dimmers aren't designed for LEDs, which makes them flicker or buzz.
Cheap LEDs can fail in ways that look like flicker before they die.
Flicker across multiple rooms can mean loose connections or a problem with power coming into the house.
| What flickers | Most likely | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| One bulb | Loose or failing bulb | Tighten it, then try a new bulb. |
| Lights on one dimmer | Dimmer not LED-compatible | Use dimmable LEDs and an LED-rated dimmer. |
| Lights in one room or circuit | Loose connection | Call an electrician. |
| Lights all over the house, or when big appliances start | Service or utility problem | Call your utility or an electrician. |
| Flicker with buzzing, warmth or a burning smell | Loose or overheating wire | Turn off that breaker and call an electrician now. |
Narrow it down
- One or many?If several lights flicker together, stop here and read the call-a-pro section. If it's one light, keep going.
- Turn it off and snug the bulbSwitch the light off, let the bulb cool, and turn it gently clockwise until it's snug.
- Swap the bulbTry a new bulb, ideally one you know works elsewhere. Cheap LEDs fail in ways that look like flicker.
- Check the dimmerIf the light is on a dimmer, check the bulb box for "dimmable." Non-dimmable LEDs on a dimmer flicker. Either use dimmable bulbs or a dimmer rated for LEDs.
- Watch for patternsNote if it flickers when the AC, fridge or washer kicks on. Mention that if you do call an electrician.
Watch it done
- The light stays steady after the bulb swap
- The bulb is snug in the socket
- Bulbs on a dimmer are marked dimmable and don't flicker when dimmed
Still flickering with a new bulb? Call an electrician about the socket.
If one fixture keeps flickering
If one fixture still flickers with a new bulb and no dimmer, the socket or the fixture's wiring connection may be loose. That's a job for an electrician unless you're experienced. If a recessed can light goes out and comes back on by itself, it's often overheating; see why a recessed light turns off.
If lights dim every time the AC or fridge starts, mention it to an electrician. It can point to a loose connection or an overloaded circuit.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): An electrician typically charges $100–$300 to diagnose flickering lights. Replacing a dimmer usually runs $100–$250.
Find an electrician near you