It is frustrating to deal with a dysfunctional ceiling light that refuses to stay on.
This is a situation where you will have to dig deeper and pinpoint what the root cause is. This includes assessing the underlying damage, connectors, and everything in between to fix the ceiling light.
A common issue people note is when a ceiling light turns off after a few seconds.
If a ceiling light turns off after a few seconds, this means the bulb is overheating. This happens when the bulb is higher than the wattage limit or the wiring is damaged. To fix the issue, inspect the wiring and change the bulb.
If the bulb continues to turn off after a few seconds, the wiring issue is likely deeper in the electrical circuit. You will want to test the surrounding lights to see whether or not they are dealing with the same problem.
It’s possible the wiring running to that particular ceiling light has burned or become loose. Take the time to check each wire to see where the problem lies.
For the most part, it is going to be the bulb that is the main issue in your ceiling light.
This article is going to explain what the issue is with a ceiling light turning off after a few seconds.
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Steps To Fix Ceiling Light Turns Off After A Few Seconds
1. Change The Light Bulb
You will need to change the light bulb.
When an LED light goes on and off, this means the light bulb exceeds the wattage limit. Each fixture is going to have a set wattage limit and you have to find a compatible light bulb for it.
This is common when you are using a new light bulb that has not been tested on the fixture before.
If this happens, you are going to see the light turn off after a few seconds. This is because the light bulb is going to burn out.
Your best option is to swap out the light bulb for one that is within the wattage limit.
2. Turn Off The Power Supply
If a ceiling light turns off by itself, you are going to need to start by turning off the power supply.
This is to help take a peek at what is going on inside the ceiling light and where it’s connected.
Go to the breaker panel and turn off the power to this part of the house.
You are then going to remove the ceiling light and begin inspecting the wires. Be patient when you are doing this.
3. Remove Ceiling Light & Inspect The Connectors
Each ceiling light is going to have multiple connectors that are running into it.
These wires are designed to help integrate the ceiling light into the electrical circuit that is running up above.
You are going to have to see whether or not these wires have been compromised in any way.
This is common when a light flashes on and then turns off.
You will want to start by checking to see if the wires are burned or frayed. If so, you will need to replace those wires immediately.
4. Check The Circuit Breaker
If a ceiling light turns off after a few minutes, you will also want to take a look at the circuit breaker.
If there is overloading happening on the circuit, the breaker is going to let you know whether or not there was a surge.
The breaker will turn off as soon as this happens.
Look to toggle it back on and then test the wiring. This is likely the issue you are dealing with if the bulbs keep burning out.
You might have a faulty ceiling light or a wire that is causing overloading. Not only will this ruin the bulb but it is also going to ruin the ceiling light too.
Taking care of this as soon as you can is essential.
Final Thoughts
These are the steps to follow if your ceiling light turns off after a few seconds.
If a ceiling light turns off after a few seconds, this means the bulb has exceeded the wattage limit or one of the wires has burned due to overloading. To fix this issue, replace the bulb with a compatible one, inspect the wires for damage, and make sure the circuit breaker hasn’t been activated.
The best solution is to work your way through these steps to correct the issue.
The most common issue is the light bulb.
You will end up going with the wrong one and ruin the ceiling light. This is why it’s important to pay attention to what you are using.
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