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Why Is My Bathroom Light Fixture Not Working?
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Summary: |
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How to Repair a Bathroom Light Circuit: The Most Common Problems with Bathroom Lights and How to Fix Them. |
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Guide to Fixing a Bathroom Light Fixture
Electrical Question: I have a 1975 townhouse, and as a single mom I find myself having to learn and do a lot of things by myself.
- My daughter’s bathroom has both a fan and light switch (single-pole wall switch).
- The fan was not working so I thought I would replace the switch for the fan.
- I had forgot to turn off the power at the electrical panel and there was just a little spark–I know, Be Careful.
- Well now the fan works, but the light does not.
- The two slot receptacle (15 amps, 120 volts) works, but it also affected the light in my bathroom and the GFCI receptacle.
- I have aluminum wiring and if there is a overload it trips, but I know it is not the fuse because everything else is working.
- I have been researching I think it has to do with the GFCI am I on the right track?
Background: Ingrid, a Homeowner from Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Ingrid.
Yes I believe you are on the right track, let’s continue and get your bathroom working again.
How to Repair a Bathroom Light Circuit
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with hand tools and electrical troubleshooting skills.
Precaution: Identify the circuit, turn it OFF and then Tag it with a Note before performing any wiring or inspections.
Note: Electrical troubleshooting is best performed by a qualified electrical contractor.
The Most Common Problems with Bathroom Lights and How to Fix Them:
- GFCI Outlet
- At the GFI outlet for the bathroom press the Test button, then the Reset Button.
- If the GFI does not reset then the GFI outlet may need to be replaced.
- If the GFI resets OK then see if the bathroom light fixture is working. If not the GFI still may have a problem – maybe.
- Bathroom light fixtures are not required to be protected by GFI unless the fixture is in close proximity to the bathtub or shower.
- Light Switch
- The light switch should be tested to see if it is getting power to one of the terminals.
- If not then the source of power needs to be identified. It’s all a process of elimination, but yes – you have to know where to start, and of course that is always at the electrical panel and identifying the circuit.
- If the switch does have power then turn it on – is there power to the other terminal? If not then the light switch needs to be replaced.
- Light Bulbs
- If there is power then the light bulb may be out. Believe it or not, I have been paid to discover that a customer’s light bulb was burnt out, and one time the customer’s light switch was in the off position – true story, the customer insisted that I bill him due to his oversight. So I did.
- Light Circuit
- Understand that many bathroom outlets may be wired with a separate circuit and may not branch to the light and exhaust fan.
- If the switch does have power then turn it on – is there power to the other terminal? If not then the light switch needs to be replaced.
NOTE: Electrical problems like this are best discovered when using a voltage tester.
More detailed information can be found here in the electrical troubleshooting area here in this website. Just click the Troubleshooting Electrical Wiring link below.
More about Bathroom Wiring
How to Install Bathroom Electrical Wiring
Bathroom Electrical Wiring
Fully Explained Photos and Wiring Diagrams for Bathroom Electrical Wiring with Code Requirements for most new or remodel projects.
Troubleshooting and Repairing Electrical Wiring
Licensed Electrician Reveals the Secrets of Successful Electrical Troubleshooting Methods used to solve the majority of the home electrical problems and wiring failures encountered.
Wiring a Light Switch – Diagram 1
Fully Explained Light Switch Wiring Diagrams. Detailed Electrical Wiring Diagrams and Pictures assist your Home Electrical Projects.
GFCI and GFI Wiring Diagrams
The features and benefits of GFCI outlets and receptacles will give you a clear understanding of the importance why these safety devices are required by code to help protect you and your family against accidental electrical shock hazards.
GFCI Wiring
This list of articles will help you learn about the features and benefits provided by GFI and GFCI Receptacles and how they are wired.
Related Questions about Bathroom Light Fixtures
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all projects.
The switch for my bathroom fan has decided not to work properly. Has 4 preset times on it (10/20/30/60 mins), and upon pressing a button to turn it on it just clicks over, and over….HELP!
Hi Eddie,
If the bathroom time switch or occupancy sensor has been existing for a while and operating fine but has now begun to malfunction then it is possible that the time switch is now faulty and needs to be replaced.
If this is a new time switch or occupancy sensor that has just been installed then the wiring connections should be compared with the installation instructions which came with the switch. The electrical wiring of the bathroom circuit should be verified and identified using a voltage tester to make sure the circuit wiring meets the requirements for the time switch to operate properly.
Dave
My dining room light fixture worked fine then it stopped working. I replaced the bulbs but that still didn’t work. I was puzzled so I checked the power by my power stick which says there was no power. I even tried replacing the light but that did not work either so I gave up. Then my daughter used the hair drier and blew the breaker. I reset the circuit breaker and now my bathroom is dead and there are no lights or plugs working. What is going on? I replaced the breaker but nothing. Please help.
Hi Don,
I suspect there is a problem with the circuit wiring, and the problem may be found at a connection or splice up inside one of the junction boxes of a light fixture, very possibly in the bathroom. The light fixtures that are not working would be a good place to begin checking with the circuit turned off. The problem with the circuit is best identified and repaired by a qualified electrician.
Dave
Hi Dave,
Last night my bathroom light and fan wouldn’t go on. It’s a single switch that operates the light fixture and ceiling fan. They won’t go on. The electrical outlet works as I plugged my electric shaver in and it does work. I checked the circuit breakers and the test button and it seems to be fine. Any suggestions?
Thanks Dave
AL
Hi Al,
I would start by testing for power at the switch, then up at the light and fan. If the light is separate from the fan and there is no power to the switch then pull the fixture and check the splice connections. Ceiling fixtures can produce heat which may break down wire insulation and create bad connections.
Dave
Went upstairs and bathroom fans in 2 bathrooms not working. Lights not working in one of those bathrooms. Circuit box does not show anything tripped. None of the GFI’s show tripped, but I reset anyway. No results. Any ideas, and I am not electrical inclined.
Hi Brian,
You could double check the circuit breakers, sometimes they appear to be ON but may be tripped, however if that is so then the cause needs to be identified. Ceiling fixtures with junction boxes may develop lose or burnt wire connections due to hot light bulbs, this would require careful examination of the fixture and wiring, then appropriate repairs of the affected wiring.
Dave
First off, thank you so much for the quick reply! After reading a few items on-line about the GFI’s, late last night I reset the GFI outlet in the garage, and that did the trick. I was surprised that the upstairs fans were tied into that GFI outlet. Aside from that, again, thank you for quick response! I have now bookmarked your site.
Thanks very much Brian,
The GFI in the garage normally does not feed power into the bathrooms, but still I am glad you have found the solution.
Dave
When my wife turned on a hairdryer the power went out in that room and one other in the house (both are bathrooms). I checked all breakers and non were kicked, i checked all breakers for continuity and voltage all tested fine, checked all gfi outlets in the house non were tripped but reset them anyway, looked at all outlets, fans, and light fixtures for loose wires and all were fine. Still no power in either room. What else could it be?
Jason, it’s either another GFI, a bad GFI, or a splice that is faulty, but it is most likely a GFI.
Dave
Hi,
My husband and i are having a really difficult time trying to get the bathroom light and fan working. We had to replace the old receptacle with a gfi, however the light and fan weren’t working at all anyway. So the light on the gfi is on but when we turn the light switch on (there are two switches)it flashes on and then trips the breaker box. Also, there are two lights in the bathroom, one over the sink, one over the toilet and also a exhaust fan. I am so exhausted because we have to get this done before the inspector comes back and i cannot afford an electrician. I also looked at the main power box, it shows the bathroom runs off a 15 amp breaker. I am just telling you what i know, can you please help!
When a circuit breaker trips off it is usually an indication that there is a direct short or a fault in the circuit wiring. Electrical faults are discovered using a series of inspections and tests. Please see the page about Troubleshooting Electrical Wiring which may be helpful.
Hi
My bathroom light stopped working last week and all the hall light went out as well but I managed to sort that out be tightening the block connector within the bathroom switch witch had 3 black wires going to it. I replaced the bathroom switch but still doesn’t work. I then borrowed a testing machine and there seems to be no power going to the switch. Can you help
Ok, Well I am having a problem. I have a bathroom light and a bedroom ceiling fan/light not working. They are on the same circuit. The breaker is on and I have power to the switch in the bathroom. I also have power to the light fixture but the light still does not come on. I have disconnected the bathroom light and attached another light and nothing. I also changed the light switch with no results. I am getting 125.1 at the switch and at the light fixture. I am not sure what to do next. Can you help?
Jeff
Hi Dave. I am having the same problem like birdie, but I did replace the light switch to no avail. I checked all three switches for current and the other two both have power. The light has none. I replaced the switch (3-wire)120V wit the same style that I removed. 2 wires on the side and one in the back.Any ideas?Perhaps I bought a faulty light switch. Any suggestions will help. Thanks, Allan
Allan, have you checked to see if your neutral wire is good? It is very possible that the connection for the neutral has been lost at a junction within the circuit.
Dave
I am having a problem with the light in my bathroom. The light switch has three separate switches: one for the exhaust fan, one for the light that is part of the exhaust fan, and one for a light above the sink. The light that is part of the exhaust fan is not working. I have replaced the bulb (actually twice just to make sure) and it is still not working. However, the exhaust fan and light above the sink are working. i also checked the fuse box downstairs, and that was fine. I’m stumped…what do you think the problem could be?
Birdie, It sounds like the switch for the light is bad and needs to be replaced.