Why Are My Lights Flickering or Dimming?

Related electrical concerns

• Electrical troubleshooting and repair
• Warm outlet, burning smell, or sparking

Are flickering lights always an electrical emergency?

Not always, but persistent, widespread, or changing flicker is worth evaluating. Heat, odor, smoke, sparking, visible damage, or a sudden wider power change call for prompt professional help.

What will Stone check for flickering lights?

Stone checks the symptom pattern, the affected fixture or circuit, dimmer or LED compatibility where relevant, connected loads, accessible devices and connections, and panel or service conditions when the pattern points there.

If it is one bulb or one fixture

A problem limited to one light often starts at that light: the bulb, fixture, switch, dimmer, or connection serving it. You can safely note whether a replacement bulb changes the symptom if the fixture accepts that bulb normally. Stone checks the fixture, switch, connection, and circuit serving that location before recommending a repair.

If it happens on a dimmer or with LED lights

LED lights can flicker when a dimmer is not compatible with that bulb or fixture, when a bulb is failing, or when there is a connection problem. Note whether the flicker changes as you adjust the dimmer. Stone checks the dimmer, lighting equipment, and electrical connection instead of guessing from the symptom alone.

If one room or circuit is affected

When lights in one room flicker but the rest of the home looks normal, the issue often points closer to that circuit. A switch, outlet, fixture, connected device, breaker or GFCI condition, or a connection on that path can matter. Note what works normally and what changes when the flicker starts; Stone traces the affected circuit safely.

If lights dim when a large appliance starts

A brief change can happen when equipment such as an air conditioner, microwave, washer, or similar appliance starts. Repeated or obvious dimming, especially outside the appliance area, deserves an electrical evaluation. Stone looks at the affected circuit, connected equipment, panel conditions when indicated, and how the symptom appears elsewhere in the home.

If several rooms or the whole house flickers

Wider flickering is less likely to be just one bad bulb or fixture. It can point to a connection, panel, service, or other broader electrical-system condition. Note whether the change affects several rooms at once and call Stone promptly so a certified electrician can find the cause.

Warning signs need a faster response

If flickering comes with heat, a burning or rubbery smell, buzzing, smoke, sparking, visible damage, or a sudden power change, stop using the affected equipment and call Stone. Do not open fixtures, switches, outlets, or the panel to investigate.

Source: Electrical Safety Foundation International: Electrical Safety Dos

Stone solved a similar electrical problem

A Stone customer reported lights flickering in two rooms whenever the washing machine ran. Stone found and repaired the electrical problem.

Need help with an electrical problem at home?

See Electrical Troubleshooting & Repair or read what to do about a warm outlet, burning smell, or sparking. Call (303) 325-2935 or schedule service. Same-day service is available. Stone gives you a one-hour appointment window, sends a certified electrician, and gives you the price before work begins.