Replace a light fixture
Swapping an old ceiling or wall light for a new one is an electrical job most homeowners can handle. Most of the work is supporting the fixture while you connect three wires. The one part you can't skip is turning off the breaker and testing that the power is really off. Get a helper to hold the fixture. Balancing it on one hand while twisting wire nuts with the other is how things get dropped.
How a light fixture connects
Most light fixtures connect with three wires: a black hot wire, a white neutral wire and a bare copper or green ground wire. The new fixture has matching wires, and each pair joins under a wire nut. A metal bracket screwed to the electrical box holds the fixture up.
Before you buy, check what the box in the ceiling can hold. A standard box handles most lights, but a heavy fixture (the electrical code draws the line at 50 pounds) needs a box listed for that weight, and a ceiling fan needs a fan-rated box.
Why people replace fixtures
The most common reason to swap.
Loose connections or a worn socket.
Many old fixtures run hot or buzz.
Often a loose bracket.
| House wire | Fixture wire | Connect with |
|---|---|---|
| Black (hot) | Black, or smooth insulation | Wire nut |
| White (neutral) | White, or ribbed insulation | Wire nut |
| Bare copper or green (ground) | Green or bare, or the green screw | Wire nut or green screw |
| Red, or extra cables | Depends on the circuit | Stop; check the photo or call |
Let's fix it
- Turn off the breakerSwitch the light on, then turn off breakers until it goes out. Label that breaker. Turning off the wall switch alone isn't enough; a switch doesn't always cut every wire in the box.
- Confirm the power is offCheck your voltage tester on a working outlet first so you know it works. Then take the shade and bulbs off the old fixture, hold the tester to the socket and to any wires you can reach, and test again at each wire once the fixture is lowered. It should stay silent.
- Take down the old fixtureRemove the screws or nut holding the fixture to the box while a helper supports it. Let it hang by the wires, or rest it on the ladder, so the wires don't carry the weight.
- Photograph, then disconnectTake a photo of how the wires connect. Unscrew the wire nuts and separate the fixture's wires from the house wires. If you see more wires than one black, one white and a ground, stop and take a closer look at the photo.
- Check the box and bracketMake sure the electrical box is firmly attached and not cracked. Screw on the new mounting bracket that came with the fixture. If the fixture is heavy, confirm the box is rated for its weight.
- Connect the wiresConnect the ground first: fixture ground to the house ground or the green screw on the bracket. Then white to white and black to black. Hold the bare ends side by side, twist a wire nut on clockwise until it's tight, and tug each wire to be sure.
- Mount the fixtureFold the wires neatly into the box, lift the fixture into place and attach it to the bracket with the screws or nuts provided. Make sure no wire gets pinched between the canopy and the ceiling.
- Add bulbs and testPut in bulbs no brighter than the fixture's rated wattage, attach the shade, then turn the breaker back on and try the switch. If it doesn't light, turn the breaker off again before checking your connections.
Watch it done
- The light turns on and off with the switch
- The fixture sits tight to the ceiling with no pinched wires
- Bulbs are within the fixture's rated wattage
If it doesn't light
If the new light doesn't come on, turn the breaker off and check that each wire nut is tight and the wires are fully twisted together. A loose connection is the usual cause.
If it flickers with a dimmer, the bulbs or fixture may not be dimmable. Use dimmable LED bulbs and an LED-compatible dimmer.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): An electrician typically charges $100–$300 to replace a standard light fixture. Heavy chandeliers or a new box cost more.
Find an electrician near youSomething else going on?
Light fixture questions
Can I replace a light fixture myself?
Most homeowners can, if they turn off the breaker, test the wires and connect like to like. Check your local rules; some places require a permit or an electrician.
What if there is no ground wire?
Connect the fixture's ground to the metal box if it's grounded. If you're not sure, ask an electrician.
Which wire is hot on a light fixture?
The black wire from the house is usually hot. The fixture's smooth-insulation wire goes to it; the ribbed one goes to white.
How heavy a light can the box hold?
A standard box handles most fixtures. Anything over 50 pounds needs a box listed for that weight, and fans need a fan-rated box.
Can I swap a light fixture myself?
It's an electrical job most homeowners can handle. The step you can't skip is turning off the breaker and testing that the power is really off.