A dimmer switch can help you save money if you use it to keep your lights at a lower intensity. Even though these switches might cost more than your standard mechanical switches, they will increase the life span of your light bulbs by several years. Moreover, they provide you with more control over your lighting and smart dimmers can connect to your mobile app for remote access.
Unfortunately, a few users on the online forms have reported that their dimmer switch won’t turn on the lights. If you’re facing the same issue with your dimmer switches then follow these methods to fix the problem.
How to Fix Dimmer Switch Won’t Turn On Lights?
- Check Wiring
Even though it is quite unlikely that your wiring has gone bad, there are chances that you’ve not installed the dimmer correctly. It is especially true for users that have never installed a dimmer switch before. So, we suggest that you get an experienced friend or an electrician to take a look at your wiring. You can also look up video tutorials and make sure that you follow each step during the installation of the light switch. Follow the visual instructions mentioned in the manual for further clarification.
Usually, the issues with the bulb not turning on can be related to a faulty power outlet. So, grab a multimeter and voltmeter to check the power output from a particular outlet to isolate the cause of this error. Sometimes, just reinstalling the dimmer switch will fix the problem as you’ll go through the installation process again to fix the mistake that you made before.
- Replace Bulb
The next thing you need to check is whether or not your bulb is working properly. Keeping the compatibility issues aside it is very common for faulty bulbs to behave like this. To confirm you can try removing the bulb from the fixture and try using it with another switch. If the same issue is happening then you will be sure that the bulb is faulty and you have to get it replaced. There is also a slim chance that the fixture is malfunctioning so make sure to look at the connection points inside the fixture to detect physical damage.
If the connection points on the fixture have dirt or something else stuck then that could also cause this problem for you. Make sure to turn off the power from the main panel before you do anything to the fixture for safety concerns. You can use a blower to clean the dust and then install the bulb again to check if it works.
- Replace Dimmer
If you’ve done everything mentioned above but your switch is still not working then you should replace the switch. As a last resort, you can try resetting the dimmer switch. But if that also doesn’t work then you need to buy a new switch to install in line with your lighting. If you don’t have a warranty then make sure to buy from a more reliable brand this time to avoid a similar issue.
A very active child hit my round dimmer switch too hard, and, it won’t come back out! HELP!