Why Are My Lights Flickering? 6 Problems And Their Fixes

What’s that out of the corner of your eye – flickering lights again? The phenomenon casts an eerie uncertainty across your living spaces, whether it’s a single lamp dancing to its own annoying rhythm or your entire home’s lighting system that seems to be throwing a silent disco. But remember, flickering lights are not just a nuisance – they’re a warning signal of potential electrical issues lurking within your walls and beyond. So whether you’re irritated or worried or both, let’s take a dive into the various causes behind this flickering phenomenon and guide you through the most effective solutions.

Flickering lights meaning: A deep dive

House lights flickering? When it happens, the phenomenon can be anywhere on the spectrum from amusing, irritating to seriously worrying about a significant electrical issue and potential danger. Let’s dive in:

1. Loose light bulbs

Sometimes, the explanation is as simple as a simple loose light bulb. In this case, the flickering lights meaning is very straightforward – the bulb isn’t securely fitted into its socket for whatever reason, leading to intermittent contact … and house lights flickering. Have you tried simply tightening the bulb?

EXTRA TIP: Does the socket look damaged and in need of replacing?

2. Flickering LED lights

As homeowners began to shift from older technologies to modern, energy-efficient LED lighting, many thought lights flickering would be in their past. And it is true that flickering LED lights is not inherent to the LED technology itself – it’s more about the electrical environment in which they are installed, or the quality of the LED product.

So if you experience your LED downlights flickering, it could be an incompatibility issue with dimmer switches or transformers that were never designed to accommodate LEDs. To fix it, check you’re using LED-compatible dimmers and transformers.

EXTRA TIP: Try simply using a higher quality LED bulb.

3. Faulty light switches

Sometimes, it’s a problem with the switch, not the light itself. If you notice downlights flickering when you toggle the switch, it might be a sign that the switch needs to be replaced. That will provide a consistent electrical connection that stops the problem.

EXTRA TIP: If you’re tempted to turn off the power and tighten the connections yourself, check whether this is allowed by law.

4. Voltage fluctuations

Are you experiencing house lights flickering all across your space? That could be because power-hungry appliances like air conditioners, fridges or video game simulator setups are drawing amounts of current significant enough to let you know your home may need a circuitry upgrade.

EXTRA TIP: A voltage monitor device can help track when voltage drops and spikes occur.

5. Overloaded circuits

On the other hand, it could be just one particular circuit that is getting overloaded by too many devices. Like in #4, it sounds like you’re due for a professional electrical home inspection, and your chosen tradie might resolve the issue by redistributing electrical devices across different or new circuits.

EXTRA TIP: Can you simply unplug certain devices from the circuit? Reducing the load is a great temporary fix.

6. Deteriorated electrical connections

Flickering lights in house could also be a sign of aging or deteriorating wiring, particularly if your house is not exactly new. This is quite a serious issue that requires a local electrician’s expertise, as they will check, replace or repair any faulty wiring, ensuring your home’s safety and giving you consistent lighting.

EXTRA TIP: Keep an eye out for signs of wear & tear in your wiring, like fraying or discolouration.

Lights flickering in house?: Give us a try

Did your flickering lights have a simple solution… or is something more sinister going on? Don’t forget, DIY electrical work can be both dangerous and illegal, because when it comes to electricity, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

That’s where Tradie Near Me comes in. Our unique platform can connect you easily and quickly with skilled and licensed Melbourne electricians, Sydney electricians, Gold Coast electricians or Brisbane electricians who can safely and effectively address all your electrical needs. So don’t let flickering lights disrupt your peace of mind and instead enter your details to connect with a local tradie offering no-obligation quotes and fully guaranteed workmanship for life. Tradie Near Me’s help will illuminate the problem and find a solution, so give us a try today.