ask the electrician
Electrician Training Electrical Certification wiring recessed light fixtures Electrical Wiring Electrical Troubleshooting and Electrical Repairs wire outdoor light fixture Home Electrical Wiring Diagrams
wiring home generator and transfer switch wiring a 220 volt range cord outlet Wiring for GFCI Outlets Wiring Outlets and a Switched Outlet Wiring and Installing Ceiling Fans and Remote Controls wire dimmer switch wiring diagrams for switches wiring a dryer cord and 220 outlet circuit breaker panel
Electrical Wire and Cable


Common Problems with Light Fixture Wiring and How to Repair Them

The Most Common Problems with Light Fixture Wiring and How to Repair Them: Inspecting the Light Fixture Wiring, Reinstalling the Light Fixture, Resetting a Tripped Circuit Breaker.


Home Electrical Wiring Video

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet
without a Ground Wire

Check out my YouTube Channel and Subscribe to my Videos
» AskTheElectrician «

NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos
Will Display at the End of This Video
So Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

How to Repair Lost Power to a Light Circuit
Electrical Questions about Light Circuit Problems:

Question from Brian, a Homeowner from Rochester, New York:

Question from Carol, in Jacksonville, Florida:

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring questions Brian and Carol.
Both of these problems of lost power when working on light fixture electrical wiring can be repaired by reviewing the following possible causes.

Common Problems with Light Fixture Wiring and How to Repair Them

Causes of Lost Power After Changing a Light Fixture
There is a good possibility that the problem is either a tripped circuit breaker, or a problem in the light fixture wiring. If the light is not working there may be a loose wire that did not make connection, or was left out of a wire connection all together.

Guide to Resetting a Circuit Breaker

More about Troubleshooting Electrical Wiring
Lost power

 

Basement and Laundry Room Wiring
laundry-wiring

Basic Basement Electrical Wiring

basement-wiring


The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.


Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


More articles about Lost Power to Outlets and Lights and Home Electrical Wiring:
« Previous Next »
Bathroom Fan Not Working Electrical Wiring for a House Trailer


FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

4 Responses to “Common Problems with Light Fixture Wiring and How to Repair Them”
  1. Rick says:

    I recently changed the light in my bathroom. All working well for several weeks. Suddenly last night the lights go out, no pops or fuses blowing or tripping or anything dramatic. I checked the connections in both the fixture and the switch and both are fine but still no light.

    Checked voltage in light and was 0V.

    Nothing has changed it simply switched off and won’t come back on. The hall light is on the same switch and is working fine.

    Any ideas?

    Cheers,

    Rick

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Rick,
    The voltage should be checked at the primary side of the light switch, and any associated wire splices of both the line and the neutral.
    Be Safe,
    Dave

  3. Denise says:

    We installed a ceiling light fixture nine months ago, and it has worked fine. Yesterday the light stopped working. We checked all the wiring with a probe, and there was no electricity even to wires in the box in the ceiling. We checked all the breakers. All the outlets on that same breaker source are working, only electricity to light fixture is out. what do I do next?

  4. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Denise,
    Troubleshooting the light circuit wiring is essential, especially testing the wall switch wiring. The nearest outlets that are on the same circuit should be inspected for circuit wiring problems as well.
    Dave