Loose connections
Loose terminals in switches, ceiling roses or junction boxes cause flickering and heat. They need fixing before they overheat.
Flickering Lights & Lighting Faults in Cardiff
From one light that flickers to a whole lighting circuit gone dark, we find the cause and fix it. Call us day or night, especially if lights are buzzing or dimming, or a switch feels warm.
- Fast Response
- Upfront Pricing
- Part P Registered
- Fully Insured
Day, night, weekends & bank holidays
Fully insured, qualified electricians
Clear fixed quotes, no surprises
Local to Cardiff & the Vale
24/7emergency
call-outs
call-outs
Flickering and failed lights
Sometimes it is a bulb. Sometimes it is a connection that needs urgent attention.
A single flickering bulb is often just the lamp, or an LED that does not suit the dimmer. But flickering across several rooms, lights that dim when an appliance starts, buzzing switches or a lighting circuit that keeps tripping point to a fault in the wiring or connections.
We test the lighting circuits, switches, fittings and the supply to your property to find the cause. Loose connections are made good, failed fittings replaced and unsuitable dimmers swapped for ones that work with your LEDs, so your lights behave as they should.
Call us if you notice:
- Flickering in several rooms
- Lights dim when appliances start
- Buzzing switches or fittings
- Whole lighting circuit off
- Lights trip the breaker
- Warm or discoloured switches
Common causes
Common causes of flickering and failed lights
We test properly to find the real cause, so the problem is fixed rather than patched.
Unsuitable dimmers
Many older dimmers are not designed for LED bulbs, causing flicker, buzzing and early failure.
Failed fittings or drivers
LED drivers, transformers and old fittings fail with age, leaving lights flickering or dead.
Overloaded circuits
Large appliances on a shared circuit can make lights dip noticeably when they start up.
Supply problems
Flickering throughout the house can point to a loose neutral or a problem with the incoming supply. This is urgent.
Water in light fittings
A leak from above can get into ceiling lights, causing flickering, tripping and a real shock risk.
Before we arrive
Stay safe until we arrive.
What to do right now about flickering and failed lighting, while a qualified electrician is on the way to you.
Check the bulb first
With the light switched off and cool, check the bulb is fitted firmly and is the right type for the fitting.
Note how widespread it is
One light, one room or the whole house? If the neighbours' lights flicker too, it may be a supply issue: call 105.
Buzzing or warm switch?
If a switch or fitting is buzzing, warm or discoloured, switch that circuit off at the consumer unit.
Water near a light?
If water is coming through a ceiling light, do not use the switch. Turn off at the main switch if it is safe.
Do not keep resetting
If the lighting breaker keeps tripping, leave it off and use lamps plugged into another circuit.
Call us
Tell us what is flickering, when it happens and anything that changed recently.
Warning signs
Lights flickering all over the house?
Whole-house flickering, dimming or lights suddenly getting brighter can mean a loose neutral or supply fault, which can damage appliances and overheat connections. Call us straight away.
Call 029 2209 0164How it works
How we fix lighting faults
- 1
You call
Describe what is happening and we agree a call-out price.
- 2
We test
Lighting circuits, switches, fittings and the incoming supply are tested to find the fault.
- 3
We repair
Connections are remade, failed fittings replaced and dimmers matched to your LEDs.
- 4
We certify
Circuits are tested and certified, and we explain anything else we found.
Lights flickering or gone dark?
Call a Cardiff electrician and get it sorted today.
Why Cardiff Emergency Electricians
Professional standards, local service.
We are a Cardiff team, not a national call centre. The person you speak to knows the city, the housing stock and how to get to you quickly.
Certified & experiencedPart P registered electricians who work to BS 7671 on every job.
Genuinely 24/7Nights, weekends and bank holidays, with no answering machine.
Homes & businessesSolutions tailored to houses, flats, HMOs, shops and offices.
Safety firstTested, certified work you can show your insurer or letting agent.
Efficient & reliableOn time, tidy, and the fault fixed properly the first time.
Other emergency call-outs
More emergency electrical services
Whatever the problem, one call gets a qualified Cardiff electrician on the way, day or night.
Tripping fuse box & RCD faults
Trip switch keeps flicking off or will not reset? We find the faulty circuit or appliance and get your power back on safely.
Find out morePower cuts & no power
Whole house or a few circuits gone dead? We find out whether it is your installation or the network and get you back on.
Find out moreBurning smells & scorch marks
A hot, fishy or burning smell, or scorched fittings, can mean something is overheating. We trace it and make it safe.
Find out moreSparking sockets & switches
Sparks, crackling or a socket that is hot to touch? We replace damaged fittings and check the circuit behind them.
Find out moreWater in your electrics
Leaks into lights, sockets or the fuse box are dangerous. We isolate the affected circuits, test them and make them safe.
Find out moreElectric shocks & exposed wiring
A shock from a fitting or appliance, or bare wires after DIY or damage, needs urgent attention. We make it safe and fix it properly.
Find out moreBusiness power loss
Shops, offices, restaurants and landlords: we restore power, emergency lighting and critical circuits fast to keep you trading.
Find out moreNot sure what the problem is?
Call and describe what is happening. We will tell you what to do right now and get an electrician on the way.
029 2209 0164Areas we cover
Lighting repairs across Cardiff, Penarth & the Vale
From the city centre and Cardiff Bay out to Radyr, Creigiau and St Mellons, our electricians are based locally so help is never far away. Pick your area for local information. We also cover Penarth, Barry and the rest of the Vale of Glamorgan.
Check your area- Adamsdown CF24
- Birchgrove CF14
- Caerau CF5
- Canton CF11
- Cardiff Bay CF10
- Cardiff City Centre CF10
- Cathays CF24
- Creigiau CF15
- Cyncoed CF23
- Danescourt CF5
- Ely CF5
- Fairwater CF5
- Gabalfa CF14
- Grangetown CF11
- Heath CF14
- Lisvane CF14
- Llandaff CF5
- Llandaff North CF14
- Llanedeyrn CF23
- Llanishen CF14
- Llanrumney CF3
- Pentwyn CF23
- Pentyrch CF15
- Penylan CF23
- Pontcanna CF11
- Pontprennau CF23
- Radyr & Morganstown CF15
- Rhiwbina CF14
- Riverside CF11
- Roath CF24
- Rumney CF3
- Splott CF24
- St Fagans CF5
- St Mellons CF3
- Thornhill CF14
- Tongwynlais CF15
- Tremorfa CF24
- Trowbridge CF3
- Whitchurch CF14
FAQ
Your questions, answered
Common questions about flickering and failed lighting. Still unsure? Call us and a qualified electrician will talk it through.
Why are my lights flickering?
Common causes are a loose bulb, an LED that does not suit the dimmer, a loose connection in a switch or fitting, or a supply problem. Flickering in several rooms needs checking by an electrician.
Are flickering lights dangerous?
They can be. Loose connections produce heat and can lead to fires. If flickering is widespread, or switches buzz or feel warm, get it checked promptly.
Why do my lights dim when the shower or kettle comes on?
A slight dip can be normal on a busy circuit, but noticeable dimming can point to a loose connection or a supply issue. We can test and tell you which it is.
My LED lights flicker on a dimmer. Can you fix it?
Yes. Most older dimmers are not designed for LEDs. We fit a compatible dimmer and, if needed, dimmable bulbs that suit it.
The lighting circuit keeps tripping. What should I do?
Leave it off and use lamps on another circuit. A tripping lighting circuit can mean water in a fitting or a wiring fault, so call an electrician to test it.
Get in touch
Need an electrician in Cardiff?
For emergencies, always call. For quotes and planned work, send us a message and we will ring you back.
24/7 emergency line 029 2209 0164