What Causes a Light Bulb to Flicker?

It’s always annoying when a light bulb flickers randomly in your home. Fortunately, when that happens, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have to call an electrician to the rescue.

Still, it’s best to try to figure out why the light bulb is flickering so you can either fix this problem yourself or know whether you need the help of a residential electrician before you are forced to deal with a more serious issue.

So what causes a light bulb to flicker? Here are seven possible causes of a flickering light bulb:

1. The light bulb might not be screwed in properly

Do you have only one light bulb that flickers in your home? Start by trying to screw it just a little bit tighter. Light bulbs often flicker just because they are loose in their socket, and simply giving them a little twist should solve the problem.

The last time you replaced this light bulb, it’s possible you did not screw it properly. But it’s also possible that the bulb got loose in its socket over time.

This could be because the bulb’s socket and base heat up when you turn on the light. Since they are made from different materials, they don’t expand the same way, and the bulb could slightly loosen.

2. Fluorescent bulbs flicker for different reasons

Is your flickering bulb a fluorescent bulb? Fluorescent bulbs can flicker for different reasons.

They can start flickering when the temperature inside your home is cold. A fluorescent bulb could flicker simply. After all, it’s defective because it was not installed properly or because a part of the fluorescent lighting system is faulty.

The flickering could also be due to some voltage variations.

3. Dimmer switches make some light bulbs flicker

Is the flickering light bulb a LED bulb activated by a dimmer switch? That would explain everything.

LED bulbs require a low voltage and tend not to work properly with dimmer switches, designed to reduce the amount of power going to a light bulb.

If you want the flickering to stop, you have two options. You can replace your LED bulb with an incandescent bulb or look for a LED bulb compatible with dimmer switches. However, if your dimmer switch is old, it might be best to replace it with a newer model before looking for a compatible LED bulb.

4. There might be a loose connection somewhere

A light bulb could flicker because of a loose connection. If the flickering bulb is on a lamp, unplug it and look at the plug’s metal prongs. Adjust them with a pair of pliers if they seem a little bent. You can plug the light back in to see if the bulb still flickers.

Or perhaps you realized that the switch of the lamp has an issue. If it wiggles or seems loose, the wiring connected to this switch is probably damaged.

If you didn’t get someone to repair your lamp, it would be best to buy a new one.

5. Old wires could be damaged

Old homes usually have old electrical systems. And unfortunately, old wires can get damaged over time and could be responsible for flickering light bulbs.

Even if your home has been built recently, it could still have damaged wires. A rodent could have gained access to a portion of your electrical system and chewed through the wires, for example.

Damaged wires can be dangerous fire hazards, so if you suspect that could cause your flickering bulbs, you should get in touch with an electrician.

6. Large appliances could cause a circuit overload

Have you noticed that some light bulbs only flicker when your air conditioner or washer is working? Since large appliances draw a lot of currents when they are in use, they can be responsible for voltage fluctuations or a circuit overload.

This is not something you should worry about. If you are concerned, you can ask an electrician to find a solution to help you avoid circuit overloads in the future.

7. There could be an issue with your electrical panel

If all the lights in your home seem to be flickering simultaneously, it could indicate a problem with your electrical panel. A major problem with your electrical panel could be dangerous, so it’s best to call an electrician as soon as possible to ask them to investigate the situation.

As you can see, a flickering bulb is not necessarily a sign that something potentially dangerous is going on. However, it’s best not to just endure a flickering bulb if you have no idea why it’s flickering in the first place. Try to figure out what is going on, then ask for help if necessary.