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The short answer
One flickering light is usually the bulb, the fixture, or a dimmer that doesn’t match LED bulbs. Flickering across the whole house points to a loose connection at the panel, the meter, or the utility’s line.
How urgent is it?
If it’s one light
1 | Tighten or swap the bulb. A loose or failing bulb is the most common cause. |
2 | Check the dimmer. Older dimmers were built for incandescent bulbs and make LEDs flicker. Look for an LED-compatible dimmer or ‘dimmable’ on the bulb box. |
3 | Wiggle test. If it flickers when you tap the fixture or move the switch, the connection in that fixture or switch is loose. |
If it’s the whole house
1 | A brief dip when the furnace, AC, or dryer starts can be normal. Constant or worsening flicker is not. |
2 | Ask your neighbors. If they see it too, call Clark Public Utilities or Cowlitz PUD. Wind and trees on lines are common causes here. |
3 | Watch for bright and dim at once. Some lights brighter while others dim can mean a lost neutral. Turn off the main and call. |
Call an electrician if
| Flickering is house-wide and the utility’s side checks out. |
| It comes with buzzing, a burning smell, or warm switches. |
| It keeps getting worse over days or weeks. |
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See electrical repair servicesQuick answers
Are flickering lights dangerous?
One bulb flickering usually isn’t. Flicker across multiple rooms often means a loose connection, and loose connections create heat. That’s worth checking soon.
Why do my LED lights flicker?
Usually an incompatible dimmer or a cheap driver inside the bulb. Try a different brand of bulb or an LED-rated dimmer.
