8 Ways To Fix Outside Lamp Post Not Working

A Lamp Post, also commonly referred to as a light pole or a streetlamp, acts as a source of light.

These are usually placed at the edge of a road to help illuminate the way. They are also commonly used as outdoor lighting.

Installing these lighting solutions in your house might be a bit hard on your budget at first, but you’ll surely enjoy the improvement in the presentation of your yard and porch.

So, if you have a bit of cash lying around, spending some on the lighting solution will help you with incredible efficiency. 

However, you will need to keep one thing in mind that these lamps should be installed by an expert.

There is simply no point in installing these lamps by yourself, and you will run into a ton of issues if you do decide to go cheap and don’t hire a contractor to help with the installation. 

Troubleshooting Outside Lamp Post Not Working

Speaking of which, it can be quite annoying to suddenly have your outside lamp post not working at all.

At times like these, you will need to troubleshoot the light pole to figure out what could have gone wrong. Similarly, if you wish to fix such problems, then here are some things that you can try:

1. Loose Wiring

Loose wiring can be one of the prime reasons why you may suddenly notice your light pole not working.

So, if you are facing any such issues, then the first thing that we recommend you check is any kind of loose wiring inside the post.

Try finding the GFI circuit and ensure that it isn’t popped. In case you do notice any kind of problem with the wiring, you will have to attempt a repair on the wire by getting it replaced or fixed.

This is especially true if you’ve installed the system yourself. So, be sure to check on the wiring connections and remove any rust or corrosion from the connection points.

Keep in mind that the power should be turned off from the main source as you try to fix the wiring cluster.

Otherwise, you will end up electrocuting yourself, and it can lead to more safety issues down the road. So, to avoid all that, just fix the situation by hiring an expert.

That will be more than enough to help you address the majority of errors with the lamp post not working.

2. Checking the Light Sensor

Apart from the loose wiring, another thing that you should check on these lights is whether the light sensor is properly working or not.

You might be dealing with some sort of issue with the light sensor.

Fortunately, even if you do notice a broken light sensor, getting it replaced should be fairly easy. You can easily get a light sensor for as little as $10.

However, if you are using a switch to turn on your lights instead of a sensor, this might not be for you.

3. Replace The Bulbs

If the lamp post has been installed for a few years now, then it is not that rare for the bulbs to give out.

The lifespan of these bulbs can vary depending on the type of lamp post that you’re using. So, be sure to test out the bulb one more time to isolate the issue. 

If you do find the blub to be unresponsive, then the only fix here is to get a replacement.

You can rely on many brands for a compatible replacement, but we suggest that you inquire about the best fit from the dealer. He will point you in the right direction.

There is no point in adjusting different brands with the lamp post, and it all comes down to your budget as well as the quality of light you’re aiming for.

So, if you’re in the same boat and can’t seem to figure out why the lamp post is not working, just find a bulb replacement. 

The bulb will not prove to be that expensive, and you will get a better response from the lighting system from now on.

Just make sure that the power requirements of the bulb match the wiring system as well as the lamp post that you’ve installed outside your house.

Otherwise, you will be running into the same errors again with the lighting system not responding in the long run.

So, it all comes down to how you’re planning on addressing the situation. It will be much easier to fix the issue if you could test out the bulb and narrow down the possible causes behind this error.

4. Blast Socket With Canned Air

Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of maintenance to get everything in order. If the weather conditions have been a bit rough lately, then it is possible that the socket got clogged with debris and gunk.

This debris and gunk will only complicate the power flow as you will struggle with the response. 

So, all that you need to do is to fix the power flow by getting rid of the gunk and the debris from the socket.

Luckily, that is not that hard to achieve and will only require a bit of input from your end. All that you need to do is to blast the socket with a can of compressed air.

This will not damage the socket and will get rid of all the foreign particles that might be creating power issues within the system.

From there, you will be able to secure a decent response from the lights as well as the sensors. 

Even the best units will be useless if you don’t know how to go through a proper maintenance routine.

So, instead of wasting more time trying to fix the system, you should prioritize the basic maintenance of this unit. It will serve you well in the long run.

You can also inquire about the maintenance cycle from the dealer, and he will help you keep your system in the best condition possible.

A few minutes out of your week will ensure that these devices are functional for years, if not decades. So, be a bit more mindful of the unit’s maintenance.

5. Test Continuity

Another thing that you can check if you are having a hard time getting the light post to work is to check continuity on the wire.

However, to check this, you will need to make use of a multimeter. In case you do get proper readings, then there your light post should be getting the required power.

But in case you don’t get any readings at all, be sure to check the power source. Also, you must make sure that there isn’t any kind of damage to the wires or light post, causing the light to not work.

6. Not Installed Correctly

There’s also the chance that you might not have installed the light pole correctly. If that is the case, then you must ensure that you set up the light pole again.

Make sure that you don’t mess up the wires and thoroughly install everything in its place.

7. Seeking Professional Help

If you haven’t had any luck on your own, then you would be much better off calling in a professional.

You might be dealing with some sort of hardware or technical fault. In such cases, you should seek help from a professional technician.

After having a good look at the light poles, the technician should suggest further solutions through which you should be able to get your issue resolved in no time!

8. Getting a Full Replacement

If you still weren’t able to get your issue fixed, then your light pole might be beyond repair. If that is the case, then your only option would be to get a complete replacement. 

Unfortunately, buying a new light pole is bound to cost you quite a few bucks. Alternatively, you can just get new parts for lighting, as the pole itself should be fine.

The Bottom Line:

Frustrated with your Outside Lamp Post not working? If you are struggling with this particular problem and don’t have much of an idea of how you can fix this, then do make sure that you go through the details mentioned in the article above!

Almost ninety percent of the time, the wiring is to blame. You can’t really expect the lamp to work when there is no power going into the system.

So, be sure to always start the troubleshooting routine by checking on the power connections first.

From there, you can also test out the hardware for possible issues. If the lamp seems to be damaged, or there are issues with the power source, then you need to address that as well by calling the dealer.

In case of a damaged lamp, you can demand a fresh replacement from the dealer. 

He will verify the claim on his end, and you will be provided with the new unit within the same day.

There is simply no need to bother with any extensive routines if you find the lamp to be damaged. Instead, you should forward a claim and let the dealer take charge of this situation.