- You can also use a Light Keeper Pro or similar continuity testing device to pinpoint burnt out bulbs.
- Plug in the strand of lights, and remove a bulb to connect the Light Keeper Pro to an empty socket.
- Pull the trigger on the Light Keeper several times to bypass the bad bulb and light the whole strand, leaving the bad bulb dim.
How do you fix a blown out Christmas light bulb?
Remove each of the blown-out Christmas light bulbs. Use your thumb and index finger to delicately put pressure on each of the broken light's plastic base, to remove the fragile bulbs. If you have a Christmas light repair tool, it may come with a small grip for this purpose.
How do you fix a dim light on a light keeper?
Plug in the strand of lights, and remove a bulb to connect the Light Keeper Pro to an empty socket. Pull the trigger on the Light Keeper several times to bypass the bad bulb and light the whole strand, leaving the bad bulb dim. Replace the bulb you used to test the strand, then remove and replace any bad bulbs.
How do you fix a string of lights that won't light up?
Plug the string of lights into a normal outlet. If the string is still dark, continue to the next step. If the string lights up except for one or two bulbs, skip down to replacing individual bulbs. Trace the location of the dead bulb. If the string of lights still won't light up, move on to the detector.
Why do Christmas light bulbs fail?
Individual Christmas light bulbs fail because they burn out. Once a lightbulb has burnt out, it cannot be relit, even with a spark tool. That said, not every light on a dead string is necessarily burnt out, because the lights are connected in series.
How do you fix a bad strand of Christmas lights?
1:513:14How To Repair Christmas Holiday Lights - Ace Hardware - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSome Replacements have the base already attached. If not then straighten the wires on the new bulbMoreSome Replacements have the base already attached. If not then straighten the wires on the new bulb thread them through the two slots on the base. And smooth them down. And Slide the bulb.
What do you do if half your Christmas lights don't work?
4 ways to fix Christmas lights if they're half out or don't work...Check the circuit breaker.Replace the fuse.Replace burnt-out bulbs.Test bulbs for damage.
How do you find the bad light in a string of Christmas lights?
Pull out one bulb at a time, and stick a piece of folded up foil into the bulb socket. If the lights come on, you know that's the bad bulb. If they don't, put the bulb back in and move on to the next one. If you don't have any replacement bulbs, you can leave the foil in until you do.
What causes a section of Christmas lights to burn 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 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.
How do you find a short in Christmas lights?
The easiest way to find faulty bulbs on incandescent Christmas lights is with a Christmas light tester. Simply bring the light tester close to each bulb. The tester's indicator will light up when it's near a functioning bulb.
What would cause an entire string of lights to burn out?
Tips: To prevent future problems with your Christmas lights, make sure to replace burned-out bulbs as soon as possible. Extra wattage from these bulbs can overload the rest of the bulbs on your string, causing them to burn very bright and then burn out, ruining the entire string.
How do you fix a 3 wire Christmas light?
0:445:37CHRISTMAS LIGHTS! Simple fix for 3 wire Christmas lights - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you put the wire through there. And then it pulls off just the outside. So you know then you justMoreSo you put the wire through there. And then it pulls off just the outside. So you know then you just pull it. So you get more wire to be able to connect both of them back together.
How can you tell which bulb is bad on Christmas lights with a multimeter?
To check which Christmas light is out without a tester, you place one multimeter probe into the first bulb hole and place the other probe into another bulb hole. If the multimeter reads other than 0, then there is a bad light between these two bulbs.
How can I make my string lights work again?
How to Fix a String of Christmas LightsDiagnose the problem. Carefully inspect each string of lights before plugging it into an electrical outlet. ... Find the bad bulb, and swap it out. ... Fix the faulty filament or shunt. ... Replace the fried fuse. ... Upgrade your lights.
How do you fix Prelit Christmas tree lights?
0:053:33How to Troubleshoot and Repair Christmas lights on a Pre lit Life like ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMost likely is a light set that is not working an entire set of 50 bulbs. And that's where you'reMoreMost likely is a light set that is not working an entire set of 50 bulbs. And that's where you're going to use light keeper Pro to fix that light set.
How do I find a burnt bulb on a pre lit tree?
2:306:50How to fix pre-lit Christmas trees - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd when a bulb burns out and that shot is broken you're going to not complete the circuit. SoMoreAnd when a bulb burns out and that shot is broken you're going to not complete the circuit. So plugged. In right now I'm just gonna pick any bulb here on the tree. It. Doesn't matter where.
How do you fix LED lights when half out?
0:224:50How To Fix Christmas Lights Half Out - Ace Hardware - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere are tools like this. This is called a light keeper Pro that you can use on incandescent lightsMoreThere are tools like this. This is called a light keeper Pro that you can use on incandescent lights and they also make one for LED lights or it can be a simple problem with the wire.
How can you tell if an LED bulb is blown?
It's an LED. Easiest way to see if it is damaged is to connect it to a battery and see if it lights up. The difficulty is that you can't disassemble the the white plastic unit, so if the LED does not light, the connection wires, resistor or LED itself may be damaged.
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 Christmas lights broken?
Blown fuses are one of the biggest culprits of broken Christmas lights — especially if the entire chain of lights is non-functional. The good news is that they can easily be replaced!
Why is my light bulb not turning on?
Over time, the contacts inside the socket can become corroded or filled with dirt and grime. This can prevent proper contact between the bulb and the socket, which often results in no power to the bulb.
What happens if you remove a bulb socket?
If all else fails, the bulb socket may be broken beyond repair. Removing it is a cinch though, and should restore functionality to the rest of your lights! Don't do this for more than one or two sockets, cause it'll raise the voltage on the rest of the strand and may cause other bulbs to burn out.
What to put in a light socket to keep wires from corroding?
After testing the lights and making sure the bad socket fixed the problem, consider putting in some silicone sealant (or museum wax) into the cap in order to keep moisture out and prevent the wires from corroding.
How to remove defective socket from light strand?
Use a wire cutter to remove the defective socket from the light strand.
How to tell if a fuse is good?
If the fuse is good, you should see an unbroken strand of wire running between the two metal contacts.
Why isn't my light working?
If a specific section of the lights isn't working, there might be a bad bulb, or a bad connection between the bulb and the socket.
Why do Christmas lights take out the whole string?
The reason that one blown, missing or otherwise broken bulb can take out the whole string of lights is down to the way they’re wired. Older Christmas lights are often wired in series - so they complete a circuit. Electricity needs a source, called “Live” when talking mains, and a destination, called “Neutral” in mains.
What to do before checking bulbs?
Before checking any bulbs, get the fuse from the plug and test this - it may seem obvious, but people do miss this.
Why do lights not light?
The other line connects into each bulb, and comes out the other end. So if a bulb is missing, the electricity cannot complete the circuit. This is why they all do not light.
How long do Christmas lights last?
Lights can last for many years as long as you replace the bulbs and check the fuses, however, old lights wont be energy efficient and maybe making your Christmas more expensive than it need be. Modern LED based lights rarely need changing or fixing.
How long does it take to fix broken fairy lights?
Have a look below for a poor chap faced with the ultimate Christmas light nightmare - 91,000 lights - it took him 7 hours!
Is Draper a good light bulb repair tool?
As always, Draper deliver a tool at a good price for assisting with bulb repair and replacement. It does not have the same features as the Light Keeper, but will help out and is cheaper than a new set of lights.
Can you take down bulbs after putting them up?
Having to trace them around a tree or window, or having to take them down after already putting them up will only add to frustration later. Try to keep them from being tangled too.
How to open a Christmas light?
Open the fuse case. A string of Christmas lights typically has one or two tiny fuses in the plastic box attached to the prongs. Examine the plastic closely on the side of this box and in between the prongs for a cover you can slide or pry open. These often get stuck, so you may need to use some force.
How to replace a light bulb in a light fixture?
Insert the replacement bulb into the old bulb's socket. Make sure the two copper wires are completely aligned with the holes in the bulb's base. Once the bulb is fully seated in the base, fold the copper wires against the base in the same position as noted above. Plug in your lights and watch them glow .
What to do before discarding a damaged string?
Before discarding a damaged string, remove working bulbs to use as spares.
How to remove piezo igniter?
Remove the piezo igniter. Pry apart the plastic cover, then lift out the igniter with a pair of needle nose pliers. The piezo igniter includes a button, and two tiny metal or plastic prongs. When the button is pressed, a spark jumps between these prongs.
How to get blown fuses out of a syringe?
Pry out the blown fuses. Gently lever the blown fuses out with a thin screwdriver.
What happens if one light burns out?
The lights are connected in a series circuit, so if one light burns out the, metal inside isn't conductive anymore. This means that the energy can't go past that piece of metal, which results in everything burning out.
How to check if a fuse is black?
Check the fuses. Each fuse should be transparent, with an unbroken wire running through each one. If a fuse is black, or if the wire inside is broken, it needs to be replaced.
