Light Turning On and Off By Itself? Possible Causes and Fixes

When your light fixtures turn on and off by themselves, it’s easy to write it off to the paranormal. And while it’s fun to imagine, there’s rarely a nefarious haunt at work.

Instead, you could have a serious issue that needs fixing to protect your home from damage. 

We’ve gathered some common causes of lights flickering here for you.

Potential reasons your light is turning on and off

When a light turns on or off unexpectedly, there’s usually one or two root causes. The first, especially with incandescent bulbs, is simply that it’s reached its lifespan. After so many hours, the filament burns out and stops working. 

Another possible cause is that the electric current running to the lamp has been interrupted. Whether through a power outage or short circuit, without energy running to the bulb, it won’t light up. Sometimes, though, it’s not just a matter of a light turning off unexpectedly. 

Occasionally, they’ll turn on without warning. This provides a new set of issues that you’ll need to explore.  

The bulb or fixture is defective

Lights turning off unexpectedly usually have to do with faulty wiring, a loose blub socket, or failure of the bulb. Especially if you’re only seeing the issue in a single source, it's probably a localized problem. 

If this happens to you, check the bulb first to see if it’s experienced damage. You can check it in another fixture to see if it works. Then, once you’ve ruled out the light source, you can move on to the fixture.

Make sure to unplug it before doing any work on the wiring in the body of the lamp. Check for visible damage to any wiring first. Can lights and other ceiling-mounted fixtures aren’t easy to inspect, and you may want to call a professional for safety reasons. Damaged wiring in the wall or ceiling can cause a fire and isn’t anything to play around with. 

Lights coming on by themselves usually indicate that your light switch is damaged and needs to be replaced. But, of course, when in doubt, a licensed electrician is always your best bet. 

A problem with circuit connections

Even though you probably had your electrical system inspected when you moved into your home, it could be a source of lights flickering. Especially if you’ve experienced flooding or other water deterioration, connections could be damaged. If you’ve ruled out other causes for your lights flickering on and off, it could be coming from the source. 

Narrow down the area of your home where you experience the issue. This information can help your electrician diagnose which circuit the problem affects.

An appliance or device is using a lot of electricity

Circuits carry a certain amount of current to all of their outlets. When a large appliance or air conditioner cycles on, it draws a more significant percentage of the power. As it pulls more current, items like lamps and lighting fixtures see a quick drop in current. This usually results in lights either flickering or dimming for a moment. 

If your lights only flicker when the AC kicks on, this could be the source of your problem. 

Outside weather interfering with the grid

Lights turning on and off during a storm is potentially one of the most inconvenient. Late-night thunderclaps frequently cause the power grid to skip a beat. If lightning strikes just the right spot, it can even blow transformers on power poles nearby, causing a longer-lasting outage.

Surges during inclement weather can damage sensitive electrical equipment. Make sure you’re plugging appliances and electronics into surge protectors to prevent damage. And, with more folks working from home, you might consider a system-wide surge protector for your home.

Power supply or overheating issues

During times of extreme weather, there are a few other causes for your lights to flicker on and off. Excessive heat can put a massive strain on the power supply in areas that aren’t prepared. Rolling blackouts and brownouts can interrupt service for brief periods. While you’ll usually have some warning, that’s not always the case. 

Be prepared by installing a backup power supply like a solar system or external generator for your home. This way, when the lights go out, you’re not affected.

If your lights are turning on and off without a clear reason, contact Young Cardinal Electric today!

Young Cardinal Electric is proud to serve the Tampa area. Our fully licensed electricians are ready to help you with all of your home’s electrical needs. We’re prepared for any electrical work you need, from lighting services to installing a new circuit in your home.

For all residential and business needs, contact us for a free quote today!