A flickering bathroom light may be caused by several factors. There is nothing worse than having a flickering light in your bathroom. Finding out what causes the light to flicker is the first step to resolving this issue. So, let’s look into this.
Reasons why bathroom light flickering
The bathroom light may flicker as a result of a burnt-out bulb, or it may be a wiring problem. Occasionally, a dirty or clogged fixture can be the cause of flickering light. A loose wire in the fixture can also cause light to flicker. In addition, it may be the result of a defective ballast.
In most cases, however, a flickering bathroom light is caused by an old bulb. As a lightbulb ages, it produces less heat, which can cause the wiring to flicker. This problem can be solved by replacing an old bulb with a new one.
Bathroom vanity light
The cause of a bathroom vanity light flickering can be attributed to several factors. Listed below are some of the most common reasons for this.
Faulty wiring:
Light can flicker when there is a problem with the wiring. There could be a loose wire or dirty connection causing this.
Damaged bulb:
The bulb of a vanity light may also flicker as a result of damage. You might notice that your light is flickering on and off if your extension cord doesn’t provide enough power or if there’s something wrong with the socket.
Leaky fixture:
A leaking fixture can also cause a flickering vanity light because water will move around inside of it and in turn create small voltage fluctuations that can cause the light to flicker.
Loose light:
There is a possibility that the light flickers if it is loose. There can be a problem with either the socket or wiring that causes a loose light.
A blocked wire could also cause flickering in bathroom vanity lights if something is preventing them from getting power.
Wrong light:
Replacing both lights might be the best solution if you aren’t sure which light is causing the problem. You can then rule out any potential wiring or fixture problems and get back to using your bathroom.
Dimmer switch malfunction:
Your bathroom vanity light might be flickering because of a defective dimmer switch, so you might need to replace the entire fixture. Flickering lights can be caused by a faulty dimmer switch that causes fluctuations in power.
Circuit overload:
The vanity light might flicker if there’s an issue with the circuit. In some cases, this could be caused by overloaded wires inside the fixture itself or a faulty wall outlet.
Breakers:
Flickering vanity lights can also be caused by a bad breaker. When there is an issue with the electrical wiring, a pulse of electricity may pass through the fixture and cause it to flicker.
LED bathroom light
Most bathroom vanity lights are incandescent, which is the most common type. LED technology has made some great advances lately, but traditional bulbs still provide a warm and inviting glow.
However, some LED bathroom lights also flicker. There are several reasons why LED bathroom lights may also flicker.
Poor quality LED:
The flickering of low-quality LEDs is caused by heat stress and inadequate electrical connections. It might not flicker as much, though, if a high-quality LED is used.
Too many lumens:
The flickering may occur if the light is excessively bright. Some bathroom fixtures only allow a certain number of lumens before they start flickering. Your light will flicker if you exceed that limit.
Dust particles in the lens:
Some vanity lights have plastic or glass lenses that can become dust-coated over time. Dust can cause intermittent electrical shorts, which will eventually cause the fixture to flicker
Leaking, faulty, or old LED bulbs:
The old, leaky, or faulty LED bulbs in your bathroom vanity light will generate a lot of heat, causing them to flicker.
Fused power cords:
The light might flicker if the plug on your bathroom vanity light is fused because too much voltage passes through the connection every time you turn the switch on or off.
Additionally, this can occur if the cord is too thick or if the connection between the two is poor.
Bad ground:
When your bathroom vanity light doesn’t have a good ground connection, it will get overloaded by fluctuating electrical currents and flicker.
Can a bad light switch cause flickering lights?
Flickering lights are often caused by faulty light switches. In the event of a broken or malfunctioning light switch, too much voltage will be sent to the fixture, causing it to flicker.
You may need to replace your switch if you notice erratic lighting and your vanity light flickers constantly.
There can be flickering lights caused by a bad light switch because it doesn’t distribute electricity properly. Faulty switches cause too many voltage spikes throughout the circuit, causing the LED to flicker.
Consider replacing your light switch if you suspect it is causing your bathroom vanity lights to flicker.
Can a flickering bathroom light bulb cause a fire?
Flickering bathroom lights can cause fires. Leaving your bulbs unattended can cause them to start smoking and even catch fire if they are not properly protected.
Using flickering bathroom light bulbs can also be harmful to your health, not just during the holidays. The filaments in flickering lights create a spark when they come into contact with liquids or vapors.
Sparks cause an electrical fire, and if it gets out of control, they could cause serious injuries.
You should avoid using fluorescent light bulbs in bathrooms because they tend to have a shorter lifespan and are more likely to cause fires.
Most bathrooms work well with incandescent bulbs, which are not prone to sparking (although they may still flicker). Make sure the incandescent bulb you choose for your bathroom is UL approved (safety certified) so there will be no fire risks.
How do you fix a flickering bathroom light?
A flickering bathroom light can be caused by many things, including wiring problems, broken bulbs, or faulty switches. It can be quite difficult to resolve these issues and isn’t always possible. You can resolve the issue by following the steps below.
Check all of the wires:
The bathroom light flickers most likely because of a wiring issue. Make sure all wires are connected properly by checking for any breaks or loose connections.
Test each switch in your bathroom individually if you have multiple ones to determine which one is faulty.
Broken Bulb Issue:
If your lights are flickering due to a broken bulb, replace them as soon as possible. Choose the right type of bulb based on your specific needs from the many types available on the market.
In addition to CFL bulbs, incandescent bulbs, and LED lights, some common types of bulbs can break.
Faulty Switch Issue:
Two main types of switches can cause flickering in your bathroom: magnetic and electronic.
Replace a magnetic switch with an electric one if it is magnetic. It may be necessary to replace electronic switches with a new controller or to reset them if they have been damaged.
Change the Overloaded circuit:
A circuit that is overloaded can cause lights to flicker if it is overloaded. The first thing you could try is reducing the amount of light in the bathroom or turning off all but one light switch at a time to see if this resolves the problem.
Replace Bad breakers:
You may need to replace your bathroom light if it flickers as a result of bad breakers in the circuit. A faulty breaker can cause surges and outages in the electrical system, resulting in flickering lights as a result.
Fix the Fused power cords:
You may have to replace your entire power cord if you’re experiencing flickering in your bathroom due to a faulty fuse. There is a possibility that fused power cords can become damaged over time, causing flickering lights to occur.
Use the right bulb:
Depending on whether or not you are using incandescent or CFL bulbs in your bathroom, you may not be able to eliminate flickering. You might be able to resolve the issue of flickering in your bathroom by switching to LED lights.
In addition to using less energy than traditional light bulbs, LEDs are more durable, which can equate to a lower amount of light bulb replacements over a longer period.
Final Thoughts
In brief, bathroom lights can flicker due to faulty wiring, damaged bulbs, leaky fixtures, loose or incorrect lights, defective dimmers, overloaded circuits, and too many lumens. Check the wiring for overload and then check the light bulbs for CFLs or incandescent if the wiring is overloaded.