Lighting issues can be inconvenient, whether it’s a single bulb that won’t turn on or an entire room without power. Before contacting an electrician, try these troubleshooting steps to identify and potentially fix the problem.
In this article, we will guide you through the process of troubleshooting lights that are not working.
Verify if the issue is specific to your property or if it's a widespread power outage in your area.
Check if other electrical appliances are working correctly on your property. If there is no power at all
contact your electricity provider to check for any reported outages.
Outage Maps
Powercor & CitiPower - https://www.powercor.com.au/power-outages-and-faults/live-outage-map/
Ausnet - https://www.outagetracker.com.au/
Jemena - https://poweroutages.jemena.com.au/
United Energy - https://www.unitedenergy.com.au/outage-map/
- Confirm if the light bulbs are securely screwed into the fixtures.
- Replace any burnt-out or faulty bulbs with new ones of the appropriate wattage and type.
- Consider trying the bulbs in a different fixture to rule out a faulty fixture.
If you have a dimmer switch, adjust it to different levels to test if the light responds. If the lights are controlled by multiple switches (e.g., three-way switches), test all the switches to ensure they are functioning correctly.
- Locate your switchboard: It is usually found in a utility area, basement, garage, or near the main electrical meter.
- Open the switchboard panel: Use caution and ensure your hands are dry. Remove the cover of the switchboard panel by unscrewing or flipping open any latches.
- Inspect the switches or breakers: Look for any switches or breakers that are in the "off" or middle position. These are typically safety switches or circuit breakers.
- Reset the switches or breakers: If you find any switches or breakers in the "off" or middle position, flip them to the "on" position. This resets the tripped switch or breaker.
- Test the power: After resetting the switches or breakers, check if power has been restored to the affected areas. If not, there may be another underlying issue that requires professional attention.