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—What you are noticing

Light bulbs that keep blowing

A bulb that fails once is normal. Bulbs that keep failing in the same fitting are a sign that the fitting, the switch or the supply needs a look.

When lamps fail repeatedly in one place, the lamp is rarely the real cause. Common reasons include a lampholder whose contacts are worn or loose, a fitting that runs too hot because it is enclosed or carries a lamp of higher wattage than it is rated for, a switch or dimmer causing poor contact, or vibration from a ceiling fan or door slam nearby.

This guide describes what people notice and what is safe to do. It does not diagnose your installation; only someone who has seen it can.

If lamps fail across a whole room or floor, the investigation moves towards the circuit and the supply, including the connections at the board. Keeping the failed lamps and noting how long each lasted helps show whether there is a pattern.

01In short

The points that matter most

  • One fitting or many

    One fitting points to the fitting; many point to the circuit.

  • Check the rating

    A lamp above the fitting’s rating runs it hot.

  • Heat and vibration

    Enclosed fittings and vibration shorten lamp life.

02Detail

What is checked

  • Lampholder and fitting

    Contacts, wiring inside the fitting and heat damage.

  • Switch and dimmer

    Whether they make a clean, firm contact and suit the lamp type.

  • Circuit and supply

    Connections along the circuit and at the board if failures are widespread.

03Checklist

Useful to record

  • Which fittings

    And how often lamps fail.

  • Lamp type and wattage

    As printed on the lamp and the fitting.

  • How they fail

    With a pop, by flickering, or simply not lighting.

04Questions

Questions people ask

Are cheaper bulbs the problem?
Quality varies, but repeated failures in one fitting usually point to the fitting or supply.
Can a dimmer cause bulbs to fail?
An unsuitable dimmer can shorten lamp life, especially with LED lamps.
Is a lamp that pops dangerous?
Usually not, but if it trips the circuit or leaves marks, have the fitting checked.

05Related

Related guides

This guide sits under troubleshooting. All topics are on the guides page.

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Bulbs failing in the same place?

Tell us which fittings, the lamp type and how long they last. We will check the fitting and circuit.

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