How to Eliminate the Buzz From a Fluorescent Light

Learn how to silence those annoying light fixtures.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. First thing to try is replacing the bulb. Some fluorescent bulbs can develop a hum as they age. However, I'm guessing you're reading this because you've already tried replacing the bulb.
2. Next up, try replacing the starter(s) in the light fixture. Older fluorescent light fixtures, especially those with four foot bulbs, have starters. The starter is a small aluminum cylindrical device about two to three inches long, and will be sold in the same section of the store as the fluorescent bulbs. These can get hot, so leave the light off for quite some time before looking for it and removing it. Different size bulbs/fixtures require different starters, so find out which you need. Smaller, newer fixtures do not have starters. They also do not tend to buzz, so if you have a buzz, you probably have a starter.
3. Be sure to try both the new starter and the new bulb together, or you may be only solving half the problem at a time. If THAT doesn't work, you may have to replace the ballast in the fixture. There's an article on the site already on how to do that, so I won't repeat it here.
4. If all of the above has not worked, then your problem is most likely vibration rather than equipment failure. You'll need to find a way to stop the light fixture from vibrating, to isolate it from the surrounding surface so that it doesn't pick up the vibrations from the wall or ceiling. Sometimes just tightening the screws that hold the fixture in place will stop it from vibrating. In other cases, you may have to put something between the fixture and the wall, like a piece of cardboard or cloth. Don't use anything flammable, though, since the space behind the fixture gets hot. (I had an undercabinet fluorescent light toast a whole loaf of bread that was in the cabinet once.) Hope this helps.

Tips & Warnings

• ALWAYS unplug or cut the power to any electrical appliance before working on it. Yes, you've heard that a thousand times, but it bears repeating.
• Don't be fooled by the coolness of the bulb. Some parts of a fluorescent light fixture get quite hot and can burn you. Leave the power off for some time before working on one.