how to repair a light socket

How do you fix a light socket that doesn't work?

Tighten the bulb if it is loose, then try the switch again. If a problem remains, be sure the switch is off, remove the bulb and substitute a new one. If the light does not work with a new bulb, check whether the circuit breaker or fuse governing the fixture has tripped or blown.

How do you fix a light socket tab?

Bend the tab Turn off the power to the fixture and use a non-contact voltage tester to make sure the power is off. Then reach into the bulb socket with a flat-blade screwdriver and gently pry up on the tab that's centered at the bottom to restore good contact with the bulb.

What causes a light socket to stop working?

Common causes when a wall socket stops working include: Failed internal socket connections, which is common in older outlets that no longer snugly hold plugs. A tripped circuit breaker that cuts power to the wall socket. Loose connections within the circuit breaker box.

How do you take apart a light socket?

2:187:21Lamp Repair, Fix Socket, Replace Cord, Overheating Damages WiringYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe could take and put a three-way socket in it again you push in next to the button that's where theMoreWe could take and put a three-way socket in it again you push in next to the button that's where the metal is the weakest. And you just pry it off and that will remove the housing.

Can you replace a light socket?

0:081:31How to remove the socket plate from a recessed housing by Total ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe simply loosen the wing nut don't loosen it all the way though because you don't want it to comeMoreWe simply loosen the wing nut don't loosen it all the way though because you don't want it to come off and the socket plate has a notch here in the bottom.

How do you fix a light switch that won't turn on?

A switch circuit that doesn't operate correctly may simply have a tripped breaker or blown fuse. Head to the electrical service panel and locate the breaker or fuse. If the breaker is tripped, reset it; or if the fuse is blown, replace it with an exact duplicate.

How do you rewire a light socket?

1:059:17How to Rewire a Lamp - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut if you have a lamp at home that you're going to rewire chances are there's a felt piece ofMoreBut if you have a lamp at home that you're going to rewire chances are there's a felt piece of cardboard. And so what it covers is the cord coming in and going through the stem of the lamp.

How do you rewire a ceiling light socket?

1:564:26How to Change Light Fittings - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen unscrew the base and remove the old fitting. The old fitting should have been connected to aMoreThen unscrew the base and remove the old fitting. The old fitting should have been connected to a joist. But be sure to use a multi-use detector before attaching the new fitting.

How do you replace a porcelain light socket?

1:262:40Tip for Broken Exterior Light Socket - Secret Screw - Replace, Repair, FixYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAllow you to cut the old bad socket off attach. The new socket with the screws. Put it back on toMoreAllow you to cut the old bad socket off attach. The new socket with the screws. Put it back on to the Hecky reinstall the screw and you can repair your lamp.

How do you test a light socket?

Test the socket by attaching the clip of the continuity tester to the hot screw terminal, the black wire lead. Then, touch the probe to the metal tab in the bottom of the socket. The tester should glow. If it doesn't, the socket is faulty and needs to be replaced.

How do you know if a light fixture is bad?

Touch the bulb at the bottom of the socket with the other lead. Record the reading. If it's somewhere close to 120 volts, the fixture is good. If you get a reading of zero or one significantly less than 100 volts, the fixture is bad.

Why are half my lights not working?

If half a strand is working and the other half is not, you probably have a loose or broken bulb. Start with the first unlit bulb and work your way down, wiggling them to check for looseness. If it flickers, that's your cue to replace it.

How to reassemble a socket?

Wrap the wires around the screws on the socket and tighten the screws. Reassemble the socket and fixture by reversing the process you used to disassemble it.

How to separate a socket from a fixture?

Twist the socket counter clockwise by hand to separate it from the fixture. Pull the socket up far enough to gain access to the wires attached to it.

What does it mean when a socket is malfunctioning?

Usually the problem with a malfunctioning socket is that the wires have come loose. Repairing the socket can be accomplished in a matter of a few minutes and by using very few tools. Advertisement.

How to loosen wires in a fixture?

If the wires holding your fixture are connected with push-in wire connectors rather than wire nuts, the wires can be loosened by gripping the connector in one hand while twisting and pulling the wires with the other hand. You may want to use new connectors when reconnecting the wires after replacing the socket.

How to test a light fixture for power?

Carefully pull the fixture away from the box without touching any wires. Test for power again by touching the probe of the voltage tester to each of the fixture wires and all of the wires in the box. The tester should not light up; if it does, return to the service panel and turn off the correct breaker, then retest the wires to confirm the power is off.

How to find wattage rating on old socket?

For any type of fixture, choose a socket that looks identical (or nearly identical) to the original and has the same maximum wattage rating. You should be able to find the wattage rating on the old socket, usually on a silver label.

What are the parts of a light fixture?

Most light fixtures have decorative parts and electrical parts. The decorative parts include the globe and all the shiny tubing and other embellishments that make the fixture nice to look at. The electrical parts consist of the sockets and their wiring. Sockets can fail because they simply wear out and no longer make a good connection with ...

How to disconnect ground wire from a box?

Twist the wire connector (wire nut) counterclockwise and remove it from each set of wires, then separate the wires. Disconnect the ground wire from the box or fixture mounting strap, as applicable.

Why do you test a light switch with both switches?

The reason for testing with both switch positions is because some switches (such as three-way switches) can be on or off in either position.

How to turn off power to a circuit?

Turn off the power to the circuit that you'll be working on by switching off the appropriate breaker in your home's electrical service panel ( breaker box ). If you don't know the specific breaker to flip, you should turn off the main breaker to kill power to the entire house.

Why replace a light socket?

Replacing an old or worn-out light socket is an important way of keeping your home up to code. Old sockets can be fire hazards , making this a good skill for amateur and pro electricians alike. By learning to remove and replace old sockets, you can help keep your home safe, following a few simple steps.

How to remove globes from a light fixture?

Decorative fixtures like globes will need to be removed first, gently unscrewing or unfastening the connections and putting the piece a side. You might need to use a screwdriver, but most fixtures will probably just use thumbscrews that you can remove by hand. Remove the lightbulb or bulbs, as well to expose the socket itself for examination.

What is a wire nuts?

Wire nuts are the plastic cone-looking pieces covering the ends of where the wires come together, connecting the black and white wires coming from the fixture to the wires coming from the ceiling. There might also be a ground wire from the fixture attached to the metal of the junction box in the ceiling by a screw.

What color are wires when electricity is off?

With the electricity off, the wires are harmless, and everything is color coded (black and white, or, outside the US, brown and black.). Thanks! Use pliers to twist the ends of the wires together before trying to screw the wire nut on. This is especially helpful for houses with smaller gauge (thicker) wires.

What to do if wire ends are bent?

Some of the wires may be loose, or you may need to use pliers to untwist them. If ends of wires are damaged or bent, you may need to clip them and strip them again.

How to test if a light fixture is getting power?

You can test the power by flipping the light switch and making sure that it doesn't turn on. It's also a good idea to use a non-contact voltage tester to make sure the fixture isn't getting power.

Why won't my light switch turn on?

Then you can flip on the circuit and check your work. If it doesn’t turn on, most likely culprit is a loose connection. Check to make sure that the wires didn’t come loose while you were tucking them into the box. Also, check that bulb is the proper type or that another switch isn’t interfering with anything.