Repairing Guides

how to repair christmas tree lights

by Ruthe Dietrich V Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • Christmas tree light repair is actually really simple.
  • First, slide back the plastic covering on the plug to check the Christmas light fuse. ...
  • Replace any blown Christmas light fuses.

How to fix the lights on a prelit Christmas tree?

  • If there are broken parts of the strand that do not appear to have any electrical wires inside, then they are likely not affecting the lights.
  • If a broken strand does have electrical wires poking through, then discard the strand. ...
  • If the strand appears fine, move on to inspecting the individual sockets and bulbs.

How to fix Christmas lights that are half out?

Run a bulb tester over the string to find any bad bulbs.

  • Depending on your tester model, it may beep or light up when you find a bad bulb.
  • If you find one bad bulb, keep checking for more. Mark each one with masking tape so you know which ones to replace.
  • Move on to replacing any bad bulbs that you find. ...
  • You can get a bulb tester anywhere holiday lights are sold. ...

How to light your Christmas tree like a pro?

How to Hang Christmas Tree Lights Outdoors

  • If you use floodlights to show off outdoor evergreens, use white, blue, or green lamps. ...
  • Don't try to hang strings of Christmas lights from the eaves with cup hooks—in a strong wind, the wires may swing loose. ...
  • Be sure you have outdoor electrical sockets to plug into when you use outdoor Christmas lights. ...

How to repair faulty Christmas lights?

Ways to Fix and Replace Christmas Lights

  • Blown Fuses. Following the steps below will guide you through the process of replacing the fuse after preparing all the necessary tools.
  • Rusty Light Bulb Sockets. As with the previous step, we must prepare the necessary materials first. ...
  • Broken Filament. Among the three problems, repairing a broken shunt is the most difficult. ...

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How do you fix lights on a prelit Christmas tree?

1:046:50How to fix pre-lit Christmas trees - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe two common ways that. This happens that a pre-lit tree would go out like this is. Either from aMoreThe two common ways that. This happens that a pre-lit tree would go out like this is. Either from a bad shunt or a wire. Coming loose in a socket somewhere those are the two most. Common situations.

How do you fix Christmas lights when half string is out?

1:494:50How To Fix Christmas Lights Half Out - Ace Hardware - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can cut this particular diode off and use a wire nut to tie these two wires back together. AndMoreYou can cut this particular diode off and use a wire nut to tie these two wires back together. And then cap it and then the lights should work.

How do you fix string lights on a Christmas tree?

2:166:404 WAYS TO FIX CHRISTMAS TREE STRING LIGHTS AND FIND BAD ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe light keeper Pro just like that and you want to press the trigger twenty to thirty. Times. SoMoreThe light keeper Pro just like that and you want to press the trigger twenty to thirty. Times. So that's another way to do it now a second way to fix your lights. Is to check the fuse.

How can you tell which bulb is blown on Christmas lights?

You can tell which bulb is out on your string of traditional Christmas lights by looking for the bulb that is “burned out” by looking at the tiny little filaments in the light bulbs to see which bulb is “burned out” or has lost it's filament. Many times the bulb will be “smoked” as well.

Why is one section of my Christmas lights out?

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.

Why do sections of Christmas lights go out?

A light bulb has come out of its socket or is half out of its socket and it has brought down the circuit. For light strings that commonly have over 50 bulbs, they are constructed in 2 or more continuous circuits. If a bulb is missing in a circuit only the bulbs in series of it will go out.

How do you find a blown bulb on a prelit Christmas tree?

This often occurs through rough handling or improper storage of a tree. Look to find the loose bulb, check the wires to ensure they are properly aligned, and secure the bulb tightly within the socket. This should fix the issue. If a short has occurred, the light string is usually not repairable.

How do you find the bad light in a string?

0:005:55HOW TO EASILY FIND BAD CHRISTMAS LIGHT BULBS using a ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTis the season to pull out the old christmas lights plug them in only to find something's not rightMoreTis the season to pull out the old christmas lights plug them in only to find something's not right so there's a burnt out light somewhere here and this is a string of a hundred lights so i don't want

Why are my Christmas lights not working?

The problem with Christmas lights may be a faulty shunt. Use the Christmas light repair tool available at Amazon as directed in the instructions. Test the lights by plugging them in.

How do you know which bulb is out on Christmas lights?

‘You can identify which bulb on your string of traditional Christmas lights is out by looking for the bulb that is burned out or has lost its filament by looking at the tiny small filaments in the light bulbs ,’ explains Imani Francies, home decor expert with USInsuranceAgents. ‘Frequently, the bulb will appear to be smoky as well.’

What is the best tool to test a bulb?

However, a bulb tester – or a tool that includes one of these, such as the LightKeeper Pro – is generally the simplest solution.

How to fix a blown plug?

Using a small screwdriver, remove a blown version if this is the issue, and replace it with a new one. Make sure its rating is as shown on the plug.

Can you fix fairy lights yourself?

But the good news is that fixing fairy lights is a task you can tackle yourself so you can enjoy Christmas lighting ideas all around your home without having to replace the sets you already own.

What to do if a string of lights is embedded in a tree?

If the bad string of lights is embedded in a tree, you might consider a light repair tool (I can't personally vouch for this--reviews are fairly positive).

How to fix a dead light on a light fixture?

You will start with 50 dead lights. Unplug the lights. Go to the center of the bad area and remove one light (I use a tiny flat blade screwdriver to pry the bulb assembly from the socket). Press one probe (we'll call it probe A) against the right side of the lamp socket. Press the other probe (probe B) against one of the flat blades of the plug. If there is no reading, move pro be B to the other blade of the plug. If there is no reading, the problem is to the right. Do the same process to the left. You should find continuity on one side of the lamp socket and no continuity on the other. Move the masking tape marker to this point, pointing toward the bad area. You have narrowed the problem to twenty-five bulbs.

What is a light repair tool?

The light repair tool you reference is worth it for the Maker types. It addresses the shunts that don't do their job as you describe. You to place an empty socket on it and pull a trigger. It is simply clicks a piezo (like the lighter on a gas grill) that sends a high voltage on the line. Any of those shunts that didn't work correctly you mentioned will be forced to close. In turn, the strand will be restored and single bulbs that are blow will be out. This will save you considerable troubleshooting time.

What happens if you don't wait until so many bulbs are out on a string?

Especially if you don't wait until so many bulbs are out on a string that it overloads the rest and blows the all out.

How many lights are in a pre-lit tree?

In my own case, I'm usually working on a pre-lit tree with about a dozen strings containing well over 1200 lights, so the actual wiring circuit is very difficult to trace in place on the tree.

Do red bulbs work?

Keep in mind that the red tip bulbs are usually flashers, not standard bulbs. The do indeed work, but they will make that section flash on and off.

Do teachers need a schematic for series circuits?

With due respect, your comment about teaching electricity but not having seen a basic schematic of a series circuit gives me great concern. Series and parallel are something a teacher should know without needing a schematic.

How to check if a tree bulb is loose?

If only one section of the tree is dark and you've checked the connections, take time to look at every bulb to make sure none are loose or missing. Check inside the box for any extra bulbs rattling around in the bottom and push down on each bulb to make sure it's solidly in its socket. If all the bulbs are intact, in place on the tree and not loose in the socket, then unplug the tree again.

How to replace a broken light bulb?

Most manufacturers use simple push-in bulbs. Put on gloves, release the hook or latch on the side of the bulb and then pull the bulb out of its socket without twisting it. Grasp the new bulb gently, push it straight into the socket and lock it down with the hook or latch.

Why are my Christmas lights not working at Costco?

If you find your Lowe's or Costco Christmas tree lights not working, check the manufacture r's instructions carefully before boxing up the tree for a return. Most prelit trees have fuses inside the electrical plugs. Double-check that the tree is unplugged from the wall and then check each plug and connector for a blown fuse .

What to do if you removed a bulb and attached an animated ornament?

If you removed a bulb and attached an animated ornament or other device in its place, try removing the item and replacing the bulb. This may solve the problem without any need for further troubleshooting.

Can burnt out bulbs cause overheating?

While the remaining bulbs on the prelit tree will light, replace burnt-out bulbs as soon as possible with the replacement bulbs that came with the tree or a compatible bulb with the same type of connector.

Identify the Problem

Whether you're using traditional incandescent lights or LED lights, your plug in Christmas lights may have gone out for any of the following reasons:

Test the Circuit

If a strand is plugged into your chosen outlet and isn't working, check the main service panel first. Make sure the circuit breaker is ON and has not tripped.

Check the Fuses

Strands of traditional and LED holiday lights usually have cartridge fuses in a small compartment in the cord plug behind a sliding door. The fuse is a small, glass cylinder with metal-plated ends and an internal metal filament.

Check the Strand

Completely unravel your string lights and check for broken wires and sockets. Keep in mind that all the “wires” on the strand may not actually be electrical wires—some are there for aesthetic or support reasons and are not a part of the circuit panel.

Check Each Bulb

String lights usually come with extra bulbs. Christmas light bulbs come in all voltage ratings, including replacement C9 Christmas light bulbs and replacement C7 Christmas light bulbs. They are also available in both colored and clear replacement Christmas light bulbs.

Test the Bulbs

Use a Christmas tree light tester to test each bulb individually. Sometimes nonfunctioning Christmas light bulbs can appear to be perfectly normal, so a light tester is the most efficient and reliable way to single out broken bulbs. You can test both traditional and LED bulbs. Replace all nonfunctioning bulbs.

More Troubleshooting Tips

Keep in mind the following when you're trying to fix Christmas lights:

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