![]() For those cases, LED Keeper seems to be the tool of choice. In fact, it's a standard for commercial lighting due to their higher reliability and longer lifespan.Įven so, non-removable bulbs can eventually burn out or become damaged and take out the whole strand. Contrary to what you might think, this can be more of a boon than an inconvenience. Some LED string lights have non-removable bulbs. Only problem is then fixing a place for the blacked out. Spare fuses and bulbs are also recommended - just make sure they correctly match the strand. I found some black covers that fit over mini lights so you can reduce any number of lights in a string. Unless you're replacing a single burned-out bulb you can easily identify, hunting down the problem bulb that killed your whole strand is dull work.Ī light tester, like the one from Light Keeper Pro, is relatively simple to operate and will save you a lot of time for only $20. ![]() Specialty repair tools that might speed things up If you need more than one, replacements are typically available at most hardware and craft stores during the holidays. If you have only one extra fuse, try replacing them one at a time. Then gently pop out the fuse and replace it with new ones. To replace a fuse, take a small set of pliers or flathead screwdriver and slide open the cover. Typically, a box of lights is also packaged with a replacement fuse or two. Most string lights have two tiny fuses inside the plug. See the previous section for instructions. If that's not the problem, it could be a loose or broken bulb. First, try plugging it into another electrical outlet. If you find yourself with a dead string of lights, a number of things could be wrong. You'll know it when the strand lights back up. ![]() If not, you have the more tedious job of going down the row of unlit bulbs, one at a time, and swapping them for a known, good bulb until you find the culprit. If it flickers, that's your cue to replace it. Start with the first unlit bulb and work your way down, wiggling them to check for looseness. If half a strand is working and the other half is not, you probably have a loose or broken bulb. The remaining bulbs could be contending with excess voltage that shorten their lifespan. You might also consider buying a strand of matching lights solely as a source to pilfer extra bulbs.Įxperts have an additional piece of advice here: If you have one or two burned-out bulbs on an otherwise functioning strand, don't ignore them. Assuming your bulbs are removable - not hardwired, as some LED strings are - there should be spare bulbs in the original box. This is the simplest fix, requiring you to simply swap out the bulb for a new one. Ho-ho-how much? Americans put up more Christmas trees this year, lifting pricesīuying a Christmas tree: Here's where you can still buy them online One bulb is out, but the rest of the string works How I want to spend my December? No.įor those of us not quite as skilled in the electrical trade, here are some common problems with string lights and how to solve them. You don't have to go too far down the internet rabbit hole on Christmas lights before encountering complicated electrical diagrams and DIY'ers offering tips on how to rewire your plugs. But no matter what holiday you celebrate, there's a chance you may find yourself tangling with Christmas string lights this season. Burned-out bulbs, strands that light up only halfway (or not at all), and let's not forget those knots. As you hang your last strand, make sure the plug is at the bottom near an outlet or power cord.We're all looking to bring a little extra brightness into the end a difficult year. The vertically-hung lights will remain on the tips of the branches, as opposed to being hidden on the inside. Repeat the top-to-bottom process until the entire tree is flooded with lights. Leave three to four inches between the vertical rows of lights so they're spread evenly throughout. When you've reached the bottom, start working the strand back up the tree in the same "S" shape. Position the lights toward the tips of the branches so no bulb will be blocked by the fluffy needles. Starting at the top of the tree, let the lights cascade down to the bottom and drape the strand in an "S" shape down the front. To hang lights vertically, take the end of the strand without the plug (you can hide this end in the branches, or you could connect it to a tree topper later). Hanging Christmas lights vertically is a relatively fast method, and it's easier to remove vertical lights when it's time to take down your tree. Instead of hanging lights side to side, try stringing them up and down from the top of the tree to the bottom.
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