Is a flickering light bulb dangerous?

Why is my light flickering?

Issues with your light bulb

First, let’s have a look at some of the reasons why a light bulb (or lamp, as your electrician would call it) might be flickering. If you only have an issue with a single light bulb in your home, chances are it’s related to the bulb itself, rather than a wider electrical issue.

• Loose bulb – if the light bulb isn’t attached properly, a loose connection with the light fitting may be causing it to flicker.

• The bulb is reaching the end of its lifespan – both traditional (incandescent or fluorescent) bulbs and modern LEDs tend to flicker or strobe when reaching the end of their life.

• Faulty LED driver – in LED bulbs, a driver is an electrical component that converts incoming power into a usable form. If the driver is faulty, it can cause the bulb to flicker.

• Faulty transformer – while the sale of most halogen light bulbs has been phased out in the UK, many homes still have halogen lighting installed. Unlike LED bulbs, which use a driver, 12V halogen bulbs rely on a transformer. If this transformer is ageing or not working properly, it can lead to flickering in much the same way a faulty LED driver can.

• The bulb is incompatible with the light fitting – check the bulb you’re using matches the specifications of your light fitting. For example, if you’re trying to use a non-dimmable bulb with a dimmer switch, this can cause flickering or failure.

The next step is to check whether the issue is actually with the bulb. Turn off the light (ensuring the bulb and fitting are cool to the touch) and try securing the bulb. If it appears to be securely fixed, disconnect the bulb and replace it with one you know is compatible with your light fitting.

How can I tell if a light bulb is compatible?

There will often be a sticker on a lamp or light fitting showing the maximum wattage the fitting is designed to handle, which will help you choose a compatible bulb.

You also need to check the base of the bulb is compatible with the fitting (common base types include Edison screws, bayonet mounts, and pin bases). Normally, light bulbs will have the fitting code printed on it (such as E27 or B22), so you can use the old bulb as a guide.

Issues with your electrical system

If your light continues to flicker after changing the bulb, or multiple lights are flickering throughout your property, this might be indicative of a more serious issue with your home’s electrical installation. If this is the case, we urge you to stay on the safe side and get in a registered electrician to help you diagnose and fix the issue. It could be related to:

• Overloaded circuits – if too many devices are connected to a single circuit, the circuit can become overloaded. Not only can this cause a lightbulb to flicker, but it can also lead to overheating and other dangerous hazards like electric shocks or fires.

• Loose or damaged wiring – the wiring in the light fitting or electrical circuit could be damaged, loose, or worn out. This can lead to electrical faults like short circuits or arcing (a major cause of electric fires), as well as an increased risk of electrocution and damage to your light fittings and other appliances.

• Faulty or damaged circuit breaker – if the breaker on the circuit supplying power to your lights is damaged or malfunctioning, this can result in flickering lights. You might also notice the breaker is tripping frequently.

• Faulty or incompatible dimmer switch – using an older dimmer switch (such as one designed for use with incandescent bulbs) can cause LEDs to flicker or fail.

• Faulty light fixture – the light fixture the bulb is connected to may be faulty and need to be replaced.

Other signs something is wrong with your electrical installation

If you have faulty or damaged electrics, you might notice other signs that something’s wrong in addition to flickering lights. For example:

• Smell of burning – if a circuit is overloaded or your wiring is damaged, there might be a burning smell you can’t locate the source of.

• Buzzing sound – buzzing within your walls, or from light switches or socket-outlets, can indicate something’s not right with your wiring.

• Hot plugs and appliances – it’s not normal for plugs and appliances to get very hot when plugged into a socket-outlet. If something is hot to the touch, it could mean something is wrong,

• Fuses keep blowing/circuit breakers or RCDs keep tripping – if you’re constantly having to go to your fuse box or consumer unit to replace fuses or reset tripped circuit breakers, there might be an electrical fault you’re not aware of.

You can find out more about the signs that something is wrong with your electrical installation in our essential guide to home rewiring.

Do I need a professional electrician to diagnose flickering lights?

You might not need a registered electrician to help you with flickering lights; it may simply be an issue with the light bulb you’re using, which can usually be fixed quite easily.

However, if the lights are still flickering after you’ve replaced the light bulb, ensured it’s compatible, and connected it properly, then it’s probably time to call a professional.

Please do not attempt to remove or replace wiring, light switches or light fixtures by yourself. These are tasks for a registered electrician with the skills and experience needed to work with electricity safely.

NICEIC’s Find a Trusted Tradesperson tool enables homeowners like you to search for NICEIC-registered electricians in your area, with the right skills and certifications to help diagnose and fix issues with your home’s electrical installation.

If you’re at all concerned about lights flickering in your home, use the tool today to send a job request to local electricians in your area – it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Find a trusted tradesperson