If one light flickers, the cause is usually simple: a loose bulb, a bulb near the end of its life, or an LED bulb on a dimmer that was made for incandescent bulbs. If lights flicker in several rooms, dim sharply when a large appliance starts, or some lights get brighter while others dim, the cause may be a loose connection in a circuit, the panel or the service. That needs a licensed electrician, and lights that get brighter while others dim should be treated as urgent.
Flickering in one fixture
- Loose or failing bulb. Turn the light off, let the bulb cool, and make sure it is snug. Try a new bulb.
- Dimmer and LED mismatch. Many older dimmers were designed for incandescent bulbs and can make LEDs flicker or buzz, especially at low settings. Use dimmable LED bulbs and an LED-compatible dimmer. See switches and dimmers.
- Worn switch or fixture connection. If the flicker changes when you touch the switch or the fixture, a connection may be loose. Turn it off and have it checked.
Lights that dim when an appliance starts
A brief dip when a big motor starts, like an air conditioner, furnace blower or dryer, can be normal. Call an electrician if the dimming is large, lasts more than a moment, happens often, or started recently. It can mean the circuit is overloaded, a connection is loose, or the panel or service is undersized for today’s loads.
Flickering throughout the house
Flicker in many rooms at once points to something shared by those circuits: the panel, the main connections or the utility service. Possible causes include a loose main or neutral connection, a problem at the meter base or service drop, or an issue on the utility side.
Warning sign: if some lights get brighter while others dim, a loose or failing neutral connection is possible. That can damage electronics and is a safety risk. Turn off sensitive equipment and call an electrician right away. If your neighbors see the same thing, also call your utility: Loveland Water and Power, Fort Collins Utilities, Xcel Energy, Poudre Valley REA or United Power, depending on where you live.
Wind, storms and older service connections
Northern Colorado gets strong winter winds and summer thunderstorms. Wind can work an overhead service drop or a weathered connection at the meter loose over time, which can show up as flicker across the whole house, especially on gusty days. If whole-house flicker lines up with wind or storms, mention it when you call; it helps us and your utility find the cause.
What you can safely check
- Tighten or replace the bulb in the fixture that flickers.
- Check whether the fixture is on a dimmer and whether the bulbs are dimmable.
- Notice whether flicker lines up with an appliance starting.
- Check whether neighbors have the same problem (a utility issue).
Leave anything inside the panel, outlets, switches or fixtures to a licensed electrician.
When to call right away
- Lights flicker in several rooms or across the house.
- Some lights get brighter while others dim.
- You smell burning, see scorching, or an outlet, switch or the panel feels warm or buzzes.
- Flickering started after storm damage or work on the service.
How Eggers Electric fixes flickering lights
Every visit includes the repair, installation or service you called us for, plus the $89 Eggers Safety Inspection: a licensed electrician checks the fixture, switch, circuit and panel connections, finds the cause, and gives you a written price before work starts. The $89 is credited toward the job when you go ahead. Common fixes include an LED-compatible dimmer, tightening or repairing connections, a new circuit, or a panel upgrade when the system is out of capacity. We are locally owned in Loveland since 1973; call 7 days, 7am–8pm at 970-669-1883 or Schedule Service. See also lighting services.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my LED lights flicker?
Usually an older dimmer made for incandescent bulbs, or non-dimmable LED bulbs on a dimmer. An LED-compatible dimmer and dimmable bulbs fix most cases.
Is it normal for lights to dim when the AC turns on?
A brief, small dip when a large motor starts can be normal. Large, long or frequent dimming should be checked by an electrician.
Can flickering lights cause a fire?
Flicker caused by a loose connection can create heat at that connection. If flicker comes with warmth, buzzing, scorching or a burning smell, turn off the circuit and call an electrician.
Why do some lights get brighter while others dim?
That pattern can mean a loose or failing neutral connection. Turn off sensitive electronics and call an electrician right away.