Symptoms
- One or more recessed lights stay dark while others in the room work
- Light flickered before going out entirely
- Bulb may look intact with no visible damage
Likely causes
- CommonA burned-out bulbRecessed LED bulbs and trims still fail like any bulb over time.
- CommonA bulb not fully seated in the socketRecessed fixtures can be easy to install slightly crooked, causing poor contact.
- PossibleA tripped breaker or failed switchWorth checking especially if several recessed lights on the same switch are out.
- PossibleA failed integrated LED moduleSome recessed fixtures use a sealed LED module rather than a replaceable bulb, which fails as a unit.
What to do
- Turn off the switch and let the fixture cool if it was recently on.
- Check that the bulb is fully and evenly seated, twisting gently if it's a screw-in type.
- Replace the bulb with one known to work.
- Check the breaker panel and switch if multiple recessed lights on the same circuit are affected.
- For fixtures with a sealed integrated LED module, check the manufacturer's warranty since the whole module may need replacement.
- Turn off the breaker before doing any deeper inspection of the fixture's wiring.
- Call an electrician if reseating and replacing the bulb doesn't fix it and it's not a simple integrated module swap.
Tools and parts
- Step ladder
Replacement LED recessed bulb or retrofit moduleSearch: “LED recessed light bulb”
When to call a pro
Call an electrician if the fixture stays dead after checking the bulb, seating, breaker, and switch.
Safety
Use caution
Let the fixture cool before touching it, and turn off the breaker before opening it for wiring checks.