How to Fix a Lamp Bulb Base
When your lamp fails to operate correctly, it does not mean the lamp is ready to go to the trash heap. Troubleshoot your lamp to find the most likely cause for its failure. Make sure the lamp plugs into an operating outlet. Check the lamp cord for any damaged wires. Turn the switch to see if it is frozen or moves freely. Finally, check the lamp bulb base. Making minor repairs to the lamp bulb base can restore your lamp and allow it to operate as it once did. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Needle-nose pliers
- Phillips or slotted screwdriver
- Black electrical tape
- Replacement interior socket/switch
Instructions
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1
Unplug your lamp from the wall and move it to a sturdy work surface. Take the light bulb, the lamp shade and the harp off the lamp.
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2
Look inside the lamp bulb base and identify the brass tab located at the bottom of the bulb base. Grab the tab with needle-nose pliers and pull up to raise it slightly off the bottom of the base.
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3
Plug the lamp into the wall and install a bulb. Turn the lamp on to check if this repaired the bulb base. If the bulb fails to light, continue to the next step.
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4
Move the lamp back to your work surface and remove the exterior socket. Grasp the exterior socket in your hand and pull up and away from the lamp base to expose the wiring and the interior socket.
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5
Check the wiring on the interior socket/switch to confirm the lamp wires connect to the terminals. If you find loose wires, replace them on the terminals and check to see if the bulb lights. If this does not repair the bulb base or the wires were not loose, go to the next step.
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6
Wrap a piece of black electrical tape around the lamp wire connected to the brass screw on the interior socket/switch. Loosen both terminal screws to remove the wires from beneath them, disconnecting the socket/switch.
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7
Install the new interior socket/switch by wrapping the wire marked with black electrical tape around the brass screw on the new interior socket/switch. Wrap the remaining lamp wire around the silver screw and tighten the screws.
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8
Install the exterior socket sleeve over the new socket/switch, pushing it firmly into the socket base. Replace the harp and the lamp shade. Install a light bulb and plug the lamp into the wall.
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