Many times a person may think they have a burned out light bulb in a fixture only to find out that a brand-new bulb does not work. If you confirm that there is electricity being supplied to the fixture, the problem might be the socket. Usually the problem with a malfunctioning socket is that the wires have come loose. Repairing the socket can be accomplished in a matter of a few minutes and by using very few tools.
Step 1
Locate and shut off the circuit breaker that supplies electricity to the fixture, unless the fixture has a power cord and can be unplugged.
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Step 2
Remove the shade or any other covering on the fixture. Many times there is a screw at the top of the fixture that holds on the shade.
Step 3
Pry off the outer sleeve on the socket with a screwdriver. If there is a knob that operates the light, you may need to unscrew it by hand before removing the sleeve.
Step 4
Twist the socket counter clockwise by hand to separate it from the fixture. Pull the socket up far enough to gain access to the wires attached to it.
Step 5
Unscrew the screws on the socket that secure the electrical wires. Remove the wires and ensure that they are not frayed. If they are, cut off the ends with wire cutters and strip an inch of the insulation off using wire strippers.
Step 6
Wrap the wires around the screws on the socket and tighten the screws. Reassemble the socket and fixture by reversing the process you used to disassemble it.
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