Things You'll Need:
- Ladder
- Fluorescent light bulb
- Replacement ballast, if necessary
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Step 1
Switch off the power to the fluorescent light fixture before changing the bulb.
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Step 2
Push up on the plastic diffuser panel until it tilts and you can pull it out of the light fixture.
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Step 3
Grab one end of the fluorescent bulb and twist it a quarter turn clockwise. The prongs holding the light bulb in the fixture should now be aligned with the loading slot. Gently pull the bulb down until it slides free from the slot. Pull the bulb sideways until the prongs on the other end pop out of the light fixture.
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Step 4
Place the prongs on one end of the new bulb into the locked side of the fixture. Push the other end of the bulb upward until the prong slide into the open loading slot. Twist the bulb a quarter turn counterclockwise to lock it into place.
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Step 5
Replace the diffuser and turn on the light switch to test the new bulb. If the light still does not work, the light fixture may need a new ballast.
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Step 1
Be sure the switch to the fixture is turned off before working with the ballast. For maximum safety, shut off the power at the breaker panel.
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Step 2
Remove the bulbs by following Steps 2 and 3 in the above section.
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Step 3
Locate the ballast, which is usually near the end of one of the bulbs. The ballast is a small silver cylinder with wires coming out of it.
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Step 4
Disconnect the wires from the ballast by unscrewing the wire nuts or cutting the wire. Unscrew the nut holding the ballast onto the light fixture.
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Step 5
Take the ballast with you to the home improvement store so you know exactly what type of replacement to purchase.
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Step 6
Install the new ballast into the light fixture and tighten the nut. Attach the wires to the ballast and tighten the wire nuts.
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Step 7
Follow Step 4 in the above section to insert the light bulbs back into the fixture.
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Step 8
Replace the diffuser and turn on the light switch to test the ballast.
