Flickering lights are one of the most common calls we get, and one of the most misunderstood. Sometimes it’s a $4 bulb. Sometimes it’s a loose neutral that’s been quietly heating up for years. The pattern tells you which.
Flicker that follows an appliance
If the lights dim for a second when the air conditioner, dryer or microwave starts, the circuit is seeing a voltage drop. A small dip on startup is normal in most homes. A dip that’s deep enough to notice across the house, or that’s getting worse over time, usually points to a loose connection at the panel or meter, or a service that’s near its limit.
This is the pattern worth investigating. Loose connections generate heat, and heat is what starts fires.
Flicker in one fixture only
One flickering fixture is almost always local: a failing LED driver, a bulb that doesn’t match the dimmer, or a loose connection in the fixture itself. Swap the bulb first. If the flicker continues with a known-good bulb, check the dimmer’s compatibility list — most LED flicker complaints are a mismatched dimmer, not a wiring fault.
Buzzing or humming with the flicker
A dimmer that buzzes quietly is usually fine. A switch plate that’s warm, a fixture that hums loudly, or a faint burning smell is not. Turn the circuit off at the breaker and call us.
What we check
On a diagnostic visit we test voltage at the panel and at the affected circuit under load, check the tightness of terminations, and look for shared neutrals or bootleg grounds left behind by old DIY work. Most flicker calls are resolved in under an hour.
The rule of thumb
- One fixture, steady flicker: start with the bulb and dimmer.
- Several rooms, follows an appliance: book a diagnostic visit.
- Buzzing, warmth or a burning smell: turn it off and call now.
If you’re not sure which category you’re in, send us a short video of it happening. It usually tells us more than a description can.