In short
One flickering light is usually the globe, a loose globe, or an LED that does not suit the dimmer or transformer it is on. Flickering in one room points to that circuit or a failing switch. Flickering across the whole house, or lights that dim when a big appliance starts, can mean a loose connection at the switchboard or a supply problem, and needs an electrician.
One light flickering
- A loose or failing globe. With the light switched off, check it is seated properly, or swap in a globe you know works.
- An LED on a dimmer that was designed for old incandescent or halogen globes. Many LEDs flicker or buzz on those dimmers. The fix is a dimmable LED and an LED-rated dimmer.
- LED globes in old halogen downlights still running the original transformer. The transformer may not suit the LED's low load. Replacing it with a matched LED driver, or the whole fitting, fixes it.
Lights flickering in one room
If every light in one room flickers together, look at what they share: the switch or dimmer, and the circuit. A worn switch or a loose connection at the switch, or in a ceiling junction, will do it. That needs an electrician.
Lights flickering in the whole house
Flickering everywhere is more serious. Check first whether the neighbours are affected. If they are, it may be a network supply problem to report to Ausgrid on 13 13 88.
If it is only your home, the cause is often a loose connection at the main switch, a neutral fault, or a problem with your service mains, the cable from the street. Loose connections heat up, so this should be looked at soon, not left.
Lights dim when the air conditioner or oven starts
A brief dip when a large appliance starts can be normal. A deep or lasting dim, or one that is getting worse, can mean the circuit is overloaded, a connection is loose, or the installation is too small for today's appliances. Older homes built before air conditioning, electric ovens and pool pumps often need extra circuits.
Call an electrician now if
- The flickering comes with buzzing, crackling or a burning smell
- A switch, dimmer or light fitting is warm to touch
- Lights flicker across the whole house and the neighbours are fine
- It started after a storm or after work on your roof or walls
Related service: Electrical faults
Ambient Electrical works in Waverley, Randwick, Inner West and across Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, 24 hours a day.
