Repairing Guides

how to repair string lights

by Billy Greenfelder Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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How to Troubleshoot and Repair String Lights

  1. Look for Safety Issues. Before you spend time troubleshooting and repairing your string lights, verify that it makes sense to do so.
  2. Look for Unseated or Corroded Bulbs. Even if your string lights go dark, you may not have a problem at all. ...
  3. Change the Fuses. String lights often have fuses tucked inside the male plug end. ...
  4. Check for Damaged Shunts. If half of your light strand is dark, you may have a damaged shunt. ...
  5. Replace Burned-Out Bulbs on String Lights. If your string light set is wired in series (as many are), one burned-out light bulb can make your entire light string ...

Part of a video titled How To Repair Christmas Holiday Lights - Ace Hardware
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Here's some easy ways to quickly find the problem. And fix your lights. Light sets have two fusesMoreHere's some easy ways to quickly find the problem. And fix your lights. Light sets have two fuses inside the male plug if they blow out they're easy to replace.

What are the best indoor string lights?

These are the best string lights for your bedroom, reading nook, and more:

  1. Overall Best String Lights For Indoors: LOUIS-CHOICE string lights
  2. Best Budget-Friendly Fairy Lights: Lighting Ever Fairy Lights
  3. Best Globe Lights: LAMPAT globe string lights
  4. Best Curtain Lights: Twinkle Star LED curtain
  5. Best USB-Powered Lights: 12APM starry string lights
  6. Best Color-Changing Lights: Omika color-changing string lights

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How to hang string lights from ceiling without nails?

  • Measure your string lights to run the entire length of the deck railing. ...
  • Make sure your string lights are attached to an extension cord or they're close to an outlet before you begin installing them.
  • Starting with the string light closest to your power supply, use a staple gun to fasten the lights under your railing. ...

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How to change fuse in string of lights?

How to replace the fuse:

  • Open the plug’s latch with a small screwdriver (any that you’ve collected from last year’s luxury Christmas crackers would work perfectly!)
  • Use a fuse tester to figure out which is the one causing the problem
  • Carefully take out the faulty fuse and replace it with the new one
  • Screw the latch back onto the plug and you should be good to go!

How to fix string of Christmas lights?

  • One bulb is out, but the rest of the string works. You’re in luck. ...
  • If only half the strand is out... If half a strand is working and the other half is not, you probably have a loose or broken bulb. ...
  • If the whole strand is out... ...
  • Specialty repair tools that might speed things up. ...
  • Dealing with non-removable bulbs. ...
  • Impossible tangles. ...

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Can you fix broken string lights?

Most string lights have two tiny fuses inside the plug. Typically, a box of lights is also packaged with a replacement fuse or two. To replace a fuse, take a small set of pliers or flathead screwdriver and slide open the cover. Then gently pop out the fuse and replace it with new ones.

How do you fix a string of lights?

12:0820:07How to fix Christmas lights - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI just pull a bulb out of another string separate. Those little wires at the bottom of the bulb. AndMoreI just pull a bulb out of another string separate. Those little wires at the bottom of the bulb. And the tricky part you just stick it in there and the wires come out the two ends.

How do you fix LED string lights?

13:5419:37How to fix LED Christmas lights - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if this was you know our standard store-bought string with the removable bulbs at this point IMoreSo if this was you know our standard store-bought string with the removable bulbs at this point I would just remove that bulb and replace it with a replacement.

How do you fix outdoor string lights?

0:423:23How To Hang Exterior Christmas Lights - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBelieve. It or not white lights are not all the same color LED lights typically have a bluish tintMoreBelieve. It or not white lights are not all the same color LED lights typically have a bluish tint while incandescent bulbs are slightly arch hang them side-by-side.

How do you fix a string of lights half lit?

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 tell which bulb is out on a string of 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 do string lights stop working?

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: The circuit isn't carrying power. A fuse has blown. A bulb has burnt out and has created a cascading outage.

Can you repair LED lights?

YES. Unlike traditional incandescent bulbs, modern LED bulbs allow for almost everything to be repaired. What you need to do is to find out the problem and take reasonable action to repair, or replace some damaged parts of the LED bulb, your lamp can work properly again.

Why did my LED lights suddenly stop working?

This problem has two possible causes. Either (A) You you have a 24V power supply connected to 12V LED strips. Or (B) there is a 'short' along the strip – in other words the solder has gone across the PCB somewhere and the +ve and -ve are touching, shorting the circuit.

Why are my outdoor string lights not working?

There are several reasons why your string lights are not working correctly. The most common problems are burned-out bulbs, a faulty electrical outlet, a bad electrical connection, a power supply issue, or damaged wires within the string lights. Luckily, this is easy to fix and relatively cheap to replace.

Why are my outdoor lights not working?

This is a common problem that often has a simple solution. There are three major problems that cause your outdoor lighting system to malfunction after one of these weather events: power outage, tripped GFCI and tripped breaker.

Where is the fuse in string lights?

0:582:45How to Replace a Fuse in String Lights - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn this example these are our globe string lights the fuse. And the replacement fuse is found insideMoreIn this example these are our globe string lights the fuse. And the replacement fuse is found inside the plug as well so you'll just simply slide the tab open and there you have your extra fuse.

How do you fix a string of Christmas lights?

0:163:14How To Repair Christmas Holiday Lights - Ace Hardware - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAs the original fuse to replace a fuse unplug. The lights. Slide open the hatch in the plug pop. OutMoreAs the original fuse to replace a fuse unplug. The lights. Slide open the hatch in the plug pop. Out the fuse.

What causes a string of Christmas lights to go out?

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: The circuit isn't carrying power. A fuse has blown. A bulb has burnt out and has created a cascading outage.

How can you tell if a Christmas light fuse is blown?

Remove the two fuses, and inspect them by looking at them up against a bright background (such as the sky). If the fuse is good, you should see an unbroken strand of wire running between the two metal contacts. Replace all blown fuses with new ones.

Why string lights in backyard?

Further, the LED string lights emit little heat and light that makes them unattractive to bugs.

Why does only half a string of lights work?

When half a string of lights is working, it shows that current is flowing but the rest of the section on the strand is not working. For such a case, there is no need to suspect your GFCI, circuit breaker or power outage. The following are reasons for this kind of problem plus how to fix.

What to do if GFCI light does not come back?

If you have reset your GFCI and light does not come back, simply check the breaker and flip it back into the position. If this does not solve your problem, you may need technical assistance from an electrician. 4. Damaged wires. A cut or damaged wire will stop flow of electric current to your outdoor string lights.

Why do outdoor lights go off?

Outdoor string lights may go off as a result of tripped breaker. A circuit breaker is an automatic electrical switch that interrupt current flow when a fault is detected. This protects an electrical circuit and other appliances from being damaged by excess current from an overload or a short circuit.

What happens if your solar lights are not working?

If solar powered string lights are not working, then batteries, solar panel or cable connection is at fault. 2. Tripped GFCI.

How to fix a rusty bulb?

To fix this problem, simply clean out the rust using a sandpaper or a small wire brush and fit it back into the socket.

How to bring back lights that are not working?

Check each bulb that is not working along your light strand and make sure it’s tightly seated in its socket. A little adjustment or push back into place may be all you need to do to bring back the lights.

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