
How to Fix Recessed Lighting
- Gather your tools. It’s a big list; are you ready? First grab a heavy-duty staple gun, make sure it has staples, and…...
- Use the staple gun to insert a staple into the recessed light housing area Some suggest bending the clip outward, as...
- Staple between the clip and light housing.
How do you replace a recessed light bulb?
- If you've got a suction cup tool, you can push it against the flat lens and twist it to loosen the bulb instead of making a duct tape handle.
- If you can unscrew the bulb by hand, be careful not to let it fall out and break.
- If you can't properly reach the bulb, use a specialized tool. ...
How difficult is it to install recessed lighting?
- Recessed lighting is easiest to install during new construction but can be retrofitted into existing ceilings. ...
- Placement is key. ...
- Wire the lights in zones for greater flexibility. ...
- Weigh the pros and cons of the different types of light bulbs. ...
- Use the right tools to cut holes in the drywall. ...
- Consider hiring an electrician. ...
How to replace recessed light with regular light?
How to Replace a Ceiling Box With Recessed Lighting
- Turn off the circuit breaker on the service panel for the light circuit being worked on. Remove the light bulbs from the fixture.
- Disconnect the lamp fixture wires from the circuit wires by unscrewing the wire nuts connecting them together.
- Cut through the nails securing the old ceiling box to the side of the rafter with the mini-hacksaw. ...
How do you add recessed lighting?
Wiring recessed lights: Fish the cable
- Wire and then install the remodeling housings. Wire remodeling housings before you slide them into the ceiling. ...
- Reconnect the outlet. Install a new remodeling box at the old outlet location. ...
- Install the trim and lamps. Call for an electrical inspection, then patch and paint the ceiling. ...
- Buying Recessed Lights

Why would a recessed light stop working?
Recessed lights are designed to fit into a small, compact space, but if this space is packed too tightly around the fixture, this could lead to over-insulation. Ultimately, this leads to your light fixture overheating, causing the entire light fixture to shut down or blow.
How do you fix recessed lighting spring clips?
If one of the clips is loose inside the fixture, insert a flat-blade screwdriver into the small slot in the clip. Push up on the screwdriver and clip to snap it back into place. If the clip is missing or bent, slide a new clip into the slot along the recessed fixture wall and push it into place with a screwdriver.
How do you fix LED recessed lighting?
0:175:21Recessed LED Can Light Burnt Out or Bad Wire Connection? How to fix ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith the tool okay good idea let's fix it with a tool what kind of tool. I. Read once are you rightMoreWith the tool okay good idea let's fix it with a tool what kind of tool. I. Read once are you right I do have a red tool. He's right we're gonna fix it with a red tool.
How do you fix a hanging recessed light?
0:001:23Fix a Sagging Recessed Light / Downlights / Pot lights - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI'm using a sealant glue called no nails but you can use any brand that does the same. Job for thoseMoreI'm using a sealant glue called no nails but you can use any brand that does the same. Job for those of you with drywall ceilings.
How do downlight spring clips work?
A: Downlight spring clips hold the light in place on the underside. To fit the spring clips to the downlight, push a screwdriver in one end of the spring, turn it around and insert in the first slot. Push the other end of the spring to the other slot, and release the screwdriver.
How do you install recessed lighting clips?
0:081:10How to Install Recessed Light Clips to Ceiling - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then what you do is you take a flat a screwdriver you know what I do is I bent it out just a 10MoreAnd then what you do is you take a flat a screwdriver you know what I do is I bent it out just a 10 don't do it too much to and it might fall through so what you do is you bend it out get it up.
Do LED recessed lights burn out?
LED lights cannot burn out because there is no use of heat as in incandescent bulbs, or gases to burn out or wires to burn up. The microchip inside the LED produces a small amount of heat, which is taken away by the heat sink, meaning that no parts in the bulb are designed to burn up.
How long do recessed lights Last?
Many LED lights are rated to last 50,000 hours or more. That translates into roughly 5 and a half years, if you had the lights running 24 hours a day. That's 22 years if the lights are used an average of 6 hours per day or 45 years at 3 hours per day.
How do you change a LED bulb in a recessed ceiling light cover?
0:282:30Changing Recessed Light Bulbs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat I'll do is grab the edges of the cover and pull straight down until it is out of the opening.MoreWhat I'll do is grab the edges of the cover and pull straight down until it is out of the opening. With the trim cover off I can remove the bad bulb by twisting counterclockwise.
How do you remove downlight spring clips?
0:080:56How to remove a downlight without damaging the ceiling - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith clean hands gently pull the down line until the clips start to appear tilt the down light toMoreWith clean hands gently pull the down line until the clips start to appear tilt the down light to one side and guide the first clip out with your finger.
How do you attach spring clips to downlights?
0:090:58Fire Rated Downlights - Installation Video - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStart to pull down on the short legs we are in there to enlist. While pushing off with your thumbsMoreStart to pull down on the short legs we are in there to enlist. While pushing off with your thumbs on the fascia of the car. This will allow the strings to rotate.
How do you remove downlight spring clips?
0:080:56How to remove a downlight without damaging the ceiling - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith clean hands gently pull the down line until the clips start to appear tilt the down light toMoreWith clean hands gently pull the down line until the clips start to appear tilt the down light to one side and guide the first clip out with your finger.
How do you change a spring bulb in a spotlight?
0:191:30How to change different types of ceiling spotlight bulb - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSlide it out. And replace with the new bulb. Slide it back in to refit simply do the reverse someMoreSlide it out. And replace with the new bulb. Slide it back in to refit simply do the reverse some fittings have a metal clip squeeze the ends of the clip together to release the bulb.
Why remove light bulb before working on recessed light fixture?
Remove the light bulb before working on a recessed light fixture to prevent accidentally breaking the bulb.
How to replace thermal protector?
Open the wiring junction box on the fixture and find the two wires that are connected to the thermal protection device. Disconnect the two wires and remove the thermal protector. Take the thermal protector to the hardware store so you can purchase the properly-rated replacement.
Is recessed lighting good for a kitchen?
Recessed lighting in a kitchen is usually durable enough to provide many years of reliable light, but, it is not impervious to problems. Recessed lights tend to suffer from two common, yet unsightly, problems - light bulbs that continually blink on and off, and the eventual sagging light cover or trim. You can fix both of these problems quickly and ...
Why are my recessed lights hanging?
If you own recessed lights, no doubt you have at least a couple that are in crooked positions, likely due to spring clips that refuse to stay in place. If you are truly unlucky, that one light has multiple spring clips that have failed, leaving the entire light hanging by wires.
How does a recessed light spring clip work?
It helps to first understand how a recessed light spring clip works. If you could see inside of a closed ceiling plenum, you would see engaged clips that look much like the legs of a spider. When you press the clips into place, the clip will move first upward and then downward to form a leg.
How long has Lee been remodeling?
Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years.
Can you re-bend a clip?
Often the methods of re-bending the clip and striking it simply will not work. Wedging an item such as a staple in place becomes one of the better options for getting the spring clip to stay in place.
Can you leave recessed lights alone?
As noted before, recessed lights are best left alone. The more you work at them, the weaker they get. If you ever need to remove the light, use a flat-head screwdriver and pry under the clip to pull it outward. To get the clip in place again, just re-staple.
What is recessed lighting?
Recessed lights are designed to sit flush with your ceiling, making for a chic, streamlined look and feel. But as soon as the trim around the light fixture begins to sag, this can cause lighting issues.
Why is recessed lighting so popular?
Why? Because it’s reliable, cost-effective, and suitable for almost any area of the home.
Why does my light fixture overheat?
When a light bulb with a high wattage is used, this can cause the light fixture to overheat. Make sure to compare the light bulb wattage with the rating on the light fixture.
Why does my light bulb make a buzzing sound?
Otherwise, if you’re having to replace bulbs far too often, this is a sign of a faulty socket. 4. Incorrect Wattage . When a light bulb with a high wattage is used, this can cause the light fixture to overheat.
What happens when a light fixture sags?
When the trim begins to sag, the light fixture becomes exposed— allowing drafts into your home, while also posing a potential fire hazard. To add to this, the light fixture will no longer have the support it needs and could go on-the-blink (quite literally!).
How to tell if a light bulb is blown?
Alternatively, listen out for a slight buzzing sound coming from the light fixture itself.
What is recessed lighting?
Recessed lighting is one of the hottest things to become a mainstay in home design. They are chic, cool, and so insanely versatile, they can work with almost any type of style that you could imagine. While there are a lot of people who might find them to be a must-have, they are notorious for being a pain to fix and diagnose.
What Causes Recessed Lights To Fail?
There are a ton of reasons why your recessed lights aren’t doing what they should be. Let’s take a look at the top seven reasons why you might have a hard time with recessed lighting.
What happens when a socket goes bad?
When a faulty socket occurs, the light will often “misbehave.”. Lights that are being used in a socket that is only stating to go bad may make a light fizzing or sizzling sound. You might even smell something burning. ( Note: If you notice a burning smell, turn off the lights and call an electrician ASAP.)
Why do recessed lights blow?
The most common causes include: Blown Fuses. Bad Bulbs. Sagging Trim. Over insulation. Blown Sockets. Bad Wiring. Foul Limit Switches. There are so many little things that go into creating a good light bulb setup, especially with recessed lights.
Why do lights burn out?
When your lights get too much heat, they begin to act like any other electrical outlet that is too hot. The cylinder and wires that carry the electricity will usually end up burning out. In rarer situations, this could also cause the wires to catch fire or the bulb to burn out prematurely.
What happens if you leave a light bulb in a socket?
If the socket is left to continue to sizzle until it’s totally blown, it just won’t work at all. You will be able to place a brand new lightbulb in, only to see absolutely nothing happen. When this happens, you will need to replace the socket before you attempt to use it. Otherwise, you might have a fire hazard/useless socket on your hands.
Why are my lights not working?
This is the most obvious reason why your lights might not work. If you notice that none of the electricity in the room working, then you have a blown fuse. You can either replace the fuse, or flip the switch to make this problem go away.
