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Flickering Lights: The Common Causes

Lights that consistently flicker or dim can be a nuisance to deal with on a daily basis. It’s normal if it only happens once in a while, but if it starts occurring regularly, there’s probably a deeper underlying issue at work—something you should address immediately to prevent any possible risk of a house fire.

That said, there’s no reason to worry if you know how to assess the situation. In this piece, we’re going to go over the common causes of flickering lights. Take a look.

Light Flickering Patterns and Their Causes

Here are the most probable causes of light flickering according to the pattern

Only One Light Flickering

If only one light is flickering, it’s usually an isolated issue. The bulb is probably out of order and needs to be replaced, or it’s loose in its socket. Turn the light off and check whether it is screwed in tightly into the socket. If the problem doesn’t go away after tightening, remove the bulb and replace it.

Electricians inspecting electrical circuit.

Multiple Lights Flickering in a Contained Area

If multiple light fixtures are flickering within a single room or area of your house, there’s probably an issue with the electrical circuit. To diagnose the problem more precisely, it’s recommended you hire a Bay Area electrician sooner than later if that’s where you live. If there’s a loose connection that’s left unaddressed, it can be highly dangerous.

Flickering Lights When Running a Large Appliance

Appliances that consume a lot of power can add a significant load to your home’s central circuit breaker. This, in turn, may cause your lights to flicker. You may have noticed your bathroom lights flicker after turning the hairdryer on. If you’re experiencing this problem, you should consider calling in an electrician to inspect your system and determine whether you need an electrical panel upgrade.

Flickering Lights All over the House

If the flickering isn’t restricted to a single room or area and it isn’t because of a large appliance, it possibly indicates a larger problem within your electrical system, such as loose service conductors in the central electrical panel. In such a case, you should call an electrician as soon as possible to inspect your system and correct all issues.

We’re a fully licensed and bonded residential and commercial electrical contractor serving the Bay Area. We offer an extensive range of electrical services, including whole-house rewires, electrical troubleshooting, and more.

Please call us at (510) 648-1465 for a consultation.