Top 7 Reasons Your Lights Keep Flickering (CT Homeowner Guide)

**Top 7 Reasons Your Lights Keep Flickering (CT Homeowner Guide)**

If your lights keep flickering in your Connecticut home, it can be annoying — but it can also be a sign of a serious electrical issue. Whether you live in Stamford, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Norwalk, Westport, or anywhere in Fairfield County, flickering lights should never be ignored.

Some causes are simple, like a loose bulb. Others can point to dangerous wiring problems or power issues that require a licensed electrician. Here are the top 7 reasons your lights may be flickering — and what to do next.

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1. Loose or Faulty Light Bulb

This is the easiest problem to fix.  

If a bulb isn’t fully tightened or has a bad connection, the light may flicker or dim.

**Try this first:**  

- Turn off the light  

- Wait for it to cool  

- Tighten the bulb or replace it  

If flickering continues, the issue is deeper.

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2. Faulty Light Switch

Sometimes the light switch or dimmer is worn out or not making a secure connection.

Signs your switch is the problem:

- Flickering happens when you touch the switch  

- The switch feels loose  

- It crackles or feels warm  

Replacing the switch usually solves this.

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3. Overloaded Circuits

CT homes with older electrical systems often struggle to power modern appliances.  

If lights flicker when appliances turn on — like:

- AC  

- Space heater  

- Microwave  

- Dishwasher  

— you may have an overloaded circuit.

This is a safety issue and should be checked by an electrician.

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4. Loose or Damaged Wiring

This is one of the **most dangerous** causes of flickering lights.

Signs include:

- Flickering in multiple rooms  

- Burning smell  

- Warm outlets  

- Frequent breaker trips  

Loose wiring can lead to house fires.  

If you suspect this, turn off power to the area and call a licensed electrician immediately.

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5. Issues with the Electrical Panel

Connecticut homes built before the 1990s may have outdated or failing panels that can’t keep up with today’s electrical demands.

Panel problems can cause:

- House-wide flickering  

- Dimming lights  

- Random outages  

- Buzzing from the panel  

If your home still has a Federal Pacific, Zinsco, or pushmatic panel, upgrading is strongly recommended.

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6. Utility Company Problems

Sometimes the flickering isn’t inside your home at all — it’s caused by the power company.

Common signs:

- Neighbors report flickering too  

- Flickering at the same times every day  

- Flickering during storms or high winds  

Still, it’s smart to have an electrician rule out issues in your home.

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7. Loose Neutral Connection

A loose neutral is an **urgent** electrical hazard.

Symptoms:

- Lights get brighter and dimmer randomly  

- Flickering in more than one room  

- Appliances acting weird  

- Shock risk  

Loose neutrals must be repaired immediately to prevent damage and fire risks.

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=⭐ When Should You Call an Electrician?

Call a licensed electrician if:

- Flickering happens often  

- It affects multiple rooms  

- You smell burning  

- You hear buzzing  

- Breakers trip frequently  

- Lights get brighter, not just dimmer  

E&A ELECTRIC LLC provides advanced troubleshooting for:

- Fairfield  

- Norwalk  

- Stamford  

- Bridgeport  

- Greenwich  

- Westport  

- Surrounding CT areas  

We find the *root cause* and fix the problem safely and correctly.

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**📞 Flickering Lights in Your CT Home? We Can Help.**

Don’t ignore flickering lights — they could be a warning sign.  

E&A ELECTRIC LLC offers same-day service, emergency repairs, and expert troubleshooting across Fairfield County and nearby areas.