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Flickering lights have a range of possible causes. Some take seconds to fix, and some require professional troubleshooting and repairs by an electrician. Here's a list of possible causes, what you can try, and when to call your electrician.

Possible Causes of Flickering Bulbs

1. Loose or Faulty Light Bulb

For electricity to flow from the light fixture to the bulb, the base of the bulb needs to make secure contact with the fixture. If it's loose, electricity will jump sporadically across the gap, which you can fix by tightening it. If it continues to flicker, try a new bulb; the old one could be damaged or wearing out.

2. Bad Switch

ElectricianIf the light bulb isn't the problem, the wiring might be. One of the most common points of failure is the light switch. If there are multiple fixtures connected to one switch, they will likely all be affected by the problem. The switch itself could be worn out, or the connecting wires inside might be loose or corroded. For safety reasons and to reduce the risk of a future fire from an electrical short, changing the light switch is a job for a professional electrician.

3. Bad Fixture

Just like the light switch, the light fixture may be wearing out or coming loose. If one fixture is flickering in a group controlled by a single switch, then the fixture is probably the issue. There can also be compatibility issues between different types of dimmer fixtures and dimmer bulbs. They need to have the same voltage and compatible control units; without this, they may fail to brighten and dim as desired, or they may flicker.

 

To have an electrician look at your flickering light, call Reinke's Heating Air Conditioning & Electrical in Kearney, NE. For 50 years, they've served Buffalo County, providing a full range of HVAC services including heating and AC repair, alongside their electrical installations and repairs. They always use trusted equipment brands including Maytag®, Amana®, Coleman®, Hydron®, and Rheem®. Call (308) 234-3003 or visit their website to make an appointment.

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