How to Replace a Burnt Out Christmas Light Bulb

If you have several strings of lights with burnt out bulbs, you are probably like me and end up tossing them and buying more. However, since we are currently in "save and spend less" mode, let me tell you how to replace that burnt out Christmas light bulb, even when your bulb base differs.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A burnt out Christmas light bulb
• A good Christmas light bulb

1. 
    
   Find burnt bulb

   Find the burnt out Christmas light bulb. A burnt out bulb is usually pretty easy to spot because it has a black spot in the center or all over. Even if the bulb is colored, the burnt out bulb will be black inside.

2. Pull upward to get the burnt out bulb out of the socket of the string of Christmas lights. On a different string, find a good bulb and pull upward to remove it from the Christmas string of lights as well.

3. 
    

   Look at the base of the two bulbs. Determine if the base of the burnt bulb is identical in configuration to the base of the good bulb.

4. 
    

   Grasp the lamp with one hand and the base of the bulb with the other hand and gently pull outward to separate the bulb from the base.

5. If the bases of the two Christmas light bulbs are the same, simply swap them out. Securely insert the good bulb in the socket where the burnt bulb was.

6. 
    
   Separate bulbs from bases

   If the bases are different, remove the bulb from the base. You can remove the bulb from the base by pulling the two thin wires on each side of the base out and downward. Gently twist the bulb and pull upward to separate the bulb from the base. Do this with both bulbs.

7. Replace the bad bulb's base with the good bulb. Insert the good bulb into the base of the burnt bulb ensuring the two wires are straight and goes through the two holes at the bottom of the base.

8. 
    
   Replace the burnt bulb with the good bulb

   Smooth the two wires to the side of the base where they can connect with the string's connectors. Gently insert bulb back into the string of lights and turn them on.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose one bad string of Christmas lights and use it to replace burnt bulbs on a second string. this way you only throw out one string of lights.
• Consider the number of bad bulbs before replacing them. If it's more than 4 or 5, it might not be worth the trouble.
• Do not do this with the lights plugged in to electric outlet. Plug them in, find bad bulbs and mark them.
• Do not squeeze lamps to tight when pulling apart as it might crush between your fingers.

Resources

• How to Buy and Decorate Your Christmas Tree and Have a Safe Holiday Season
• How to Prepare for Unexpected Holiday Guests
• How to Wrap Odd Shaped Christmas Presents

[Gracie1402]

on 12/20/2008 this is great information. I hate it when one light burns out!

[Kathymcbain]

on 12/20/2008 Great tips - I throw a lot of them away! Now I don't have to

[e-Rambler]

on 12/10/2008 Excellent instructional how-to :) Great pics.

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 12/10/2008 Christmas light bulb replacing tips well done. Great illustrations and cute little hands in number 4. Hmmm hand model?

[Alishamitchum]

on 12/8/2008 OMG you don't know how much money you just saved me!!