If only some of the lights are dark, the fuse may be good. Skip down to replacing the bulbs instead.
Do not plug the lights back in at any point during this method.
You may need to remove the fuse and hold it up to a bright light to inspect it.
Never use a fuse with a higher rating. This can cause a major fire risk. Some LED lights only require one fuse, but keep a second one in the plastic compartment as a spare. [3] X Research source If there’s a fuse that’s not attached to any wires, just transfer it over to the other slot.
If the lights still won’t come on, try a different outlet in case you blew a house fuse or circuit. If that doesn’t work, keep reading for other solutions.
Get a non contact voltage detector and skip down to tracing the dead bulb. Alternatively, buy a cheaper light bulb tester without the other features. Tackle the project hands-on with a homemade tool.
Plug the string of lights into the socket on the repair tool. Press the button (or pull the trigger, depending on the model) about 20 times. [4] X Research source You should hear a click each time. Plug the string of lights into a normal outlet. If the string is still dark, continue to the next step. If the string lights up except for one or two bulbs, skip down to replacing individual bulbs.
Tug apart the braided wires to identify the one directly connected to the light bulbs. Place the detector on this wire about halfway along the string, between two bulbs. (If your tool has a small hole for a detector, place a light bulb into the hole instead. [6] X Research source ) If the tool hums or lights up (depending on model), the problem is in the half of the string farthest from the plug. If there is no hum or light, the problem is in the half closest to the plug. Move the tool to the middle of the problem area and test again, narrowing it down to ¼ of the string. Repeat until you find a bulb with current on one side of it and no current on the other. Mark this bulb with tape so you don’t lose track, then replace this bulb as described below.
Never dispose of lighter fluid in a drain or in household trash.
The spark is not dangerous, but it will give you a mild electric shock. More importantly, it could ignite fumes and light a small flame. Work over a nonflammable surface and keep your fingers and face away from the sparker during removal.
If it’s too hard to line up the prongs, connect them with insulated wires.
If you have many lights, buy a string of bulbs of the same brand and type. Keep it in storage and twist off the bulbs to use as replacements when you need them.
Some bulbs are flashers, and when installed, will cause lights to flash on and off. There is no need to have two flashers on the same circuit, as they may cause unusual on / off timings.
In order to remove a broken Christmas bulb from its socket, find the two copper wires that sit on the base of the old bulb, noting their position on the base. Push both of the copper wires down, so that they are pointing towards your floor, and the bulb is pointing towards the ceiling. Pull upward on the bulb, and it should now be separated from the light’s base.
If you used a continuity/voltage detector tool, and your lights still won’t turn on, use the tool again. There may be a second burned-out bulb. These tools can only detect one burned out bulb at a time.
Unplug the lights. Using wire cutters, cut the wire on either side of the broken socket. (Do not cut the other two wires. ) With a wire stripper, strip about ½ inch (1. 25cm) of insulation from each cut end. Twist the two strands of wire together. Get a twist connector from an electronics store (a small conical cap). Twist this over the wire, holding it in place.
