Is it bad bulbs, burnt fuses, or something else?
Here’s everything it’s crucial that you know to fix your Christmas lights.
While string light technology has improved, homeowner-grade lights at big-box stores aren’t always made to last.
Credit:Kelsey Hansen. Set Styling: Lexi Juhl
Always inspect the wiring closely before using your Christmas lights.
Always ensure the strand is unplugged from any power source when repairing Christmas lights.
If the separate strand lights up, the fuses are good.
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
If not, the fuses are bad.
If you don’t have another strand, check the top of the male plug with avoltage tester.
To replace the fuses, unplug the strand and slide back the small cover located on the male plug.
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
You may need a small flat screwdriver to do so.
Use theflat screwdriverto pop the fuses out of the compartment.
Replace the cover and test the strand.
How to Replace Bad Christmas Light Bulbs
Repairing Christmas light bulbs is quick and easy.
A replacement may be needed if securing the bulb’s connection doesn’t fix the issue.
Unplug your light strand and remove the faulty bulb.
It might easily pop out, but sometimes, a small tab holds the bulb in place.
Replace the bulb with a new bulb with an identical size, voltage, and design.
Bend the wires upward in opposite directions and smooth them down before placing the base into the socket.
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
On many Christmas light strands, each socket features something called a shunt.
The shunt’s job is to maintain the electrical current when a bulb burns out.
However, shunts can malfunction, leading entire sections to be dark even after replacing the bad bulb.
To repair the shunt, a shunt repair tool is necessary.
After beingwrapped around objects and stretched across rooflines, it’s a Christmas miracle they hold up at all.
Additionally, improper storage can lead to cracked and frayed wires from rodents or other causes.
For this reason, you should always inspect your lights before stringing them up.
While some choose to tape over cracked and worn-out insulation, discarding string lights is safer.
You should be left with two bare wires.
Use wire strippers to expose around 1/2 inch of wire, then wrap the two wires around each other.
Place an appropriately sized wire nut over the two wires and tighten it until it holds firmly.
Add lights toHalloween decorfor illuminated witches and pumpkin faces.
