Some people are complaining about the length of the video. As for me, thanks, I needed the explanation. I now know more about testing Christmas tree lights than I had learned in 67 prior years of life. Plus, I love to watch someone who actually knows what he is doing. Merry Christmas, Brother, Dr. G
A know many are complaining, but I found it useful, so thank you. I was surprised that when you find the bulb not lighting, the problem is the previous bulb! Thanks and Merry Christmas.
THANK YOU!!! I started checking bulbs one by one. Decided to check RUclips. Saw your video first. You reminded me about the fuse in the plug. Checked that and it was bad. Changed it and I'm done! God bless you! Merry Christmas!
Thanks buddy! You saved my mariage. My plug is polarized, but still comes with two fuses. That means I got a backup to replace the burnt one. Merry Christmas everybody.
Thanks for the video. Although it's a bit long and wordy, you're the first one to show the whole process. I bought a christmas light tester and it seemed of litttle help. The couple extra steps you showed should make this a successful effort. Thanks again.
Thank you, this is great. I watched a similar video that showed using a voltage detector, but when I thought I replaced the "bad bulb," it didn't work. The explanation about the non-polarized plugs and turning the plug around fixed my problem! Thank you for the complete explanation and tip about starting with the last bulb!
I followed your steps. The bulb on the end (which isn't really the end since the end is a female plug to hook another string up) lights up either way. So I changed that bulb and the string still doesn't work. I checked the bulbs all the way down. The beginning ones indicated that current it going to it. The ending ones all indicate current is going to them, but there's a few in the middle that don't. And a few that are iffy, like there's current, but not much I guess? I notice that mine has three cords while yours has two. I just hate that I bought a $10 device to fix a $5 string of lights lol
I don't have a broken string to try this out on yet but I really appreciate the information that you have provided. The price of regular LED lights isn't too bad but lawn ornaments with LED bulbs can be quite expensive so it is good to be able to fix, rather than replace them. Thank you for the video!
So many critics? Bottom line: follow his instructions and you can easily fix your lights. Before watching this video, I struggled, unsuccessfully for an hour, to fix my pre-lit Christmas tree lights. After watching this video I fixed them in 5 minutes! Just to add a couple details; the tester is called a non-contact voltage tester. It detects voltage in the line (hot) side of the circuit. The bulbs are only connected to one side of the circuit, the other side is a single wire for the return path to complete the circuit. So, when the tester shows voltage at the end of the string with no lights lit, it means the bulbs are connected to the return path instead of the hot. So, for the tester to work, the bulbs need to be on the hot side, that's why he reverses the plug. But, you don't need to understand any of this, just follow his instructions. His simplicity is genius.
Ditto Bob! If my apprentices started wining like that, I'd send them home to their momma! It's like the master who I broke in under said: you can't learn with an open mouth.
Bob I couldn't agree more. Good God if you dont have something nice to say just go on to the next video. If they already knew then why are they searching anyway. I love dogs and hate most people
Excellent video !!!!! Bought one of the testers you used from Lowes, followed your video step by step and found the burnt out bulb. Now my pre lit tree is fully lit again, thank you so much
Thanks For Taking The Time to help us find a bad bulb in a set of Christmas lights , it can be very frustrating and hard on the fingers pulling out a hundred lights only to find out it was the last bulb on the string . Hope you get over your cold soon .Merry Christmas
Thanks for the thorough explanation. Very professional. Disregard the geniuses who go mad for you not going to "the point" right away. They could just skip whatever section they already feel familiar with. Not everyone is knowledgeable about basic electronic.
I was about to throw out a 140 bulb set which has 4 sections (4 colors X 35 bulbs each) and uses 3.5V Bulbs. It is from 1995. When I saw you using the pencil voltage tester--I grabbed mine. Never used it on these sets before and it does test low voltage as well. I thought the set was shot on 2 color sections. Used the tester and realized voltage was active on all ends of the set, so the bulbs had to be bad and a couple of shunts which kill all the bulbs in one section. Checked all the bulbs and replaced bad ones and set works now. The set has a "Combination light show control" and is very nice for viewing. I have four of them and the bulbs are hard to get because they have to be "Super Brite" ones. Thanks.
Very informative , I liked that you repeated and explained slowly. Working with electricity is dangerous, some lousy people want to rush through everything they do in life, (hopefully they will get zapped with 120, lol). You MrFixit, keep up the good work my friend..
Bottom line, in spite of the negative comments, is I was able to "fix" my stash of Christmas light sets gone bad because of this video. Key take away for me from this video is the use of NCVT (Non Contact Voltage Tester). Thanks ESRepair !
Thank you Mr Fix It! You explaining the whole flipping the plug and it shows which fuse is good or bad is much appreciated. Can't believe no ones ever mentioned it in past. Let the lighting festivities begin! Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Good video. It explained everything thoroughly and clearly right through without leaving anything out. I just hard copied almost everything you said into print and threw the paper in the bin with the Christmas lights.
You can't win. If you explain in great detail "it's toooooooo long, you talk tooooooo muuuuuuuch." But if you get straight to the point, it's too complicated and you got a bunch of idiots asking questions about all the little miniscule details in the comments. 💀 RUclips has this cool little feature called "fast-forward" maybe use it.
11:34 for summary. I never thought of using a voltage detector for this. Polarity is key (6:32) for the previous-bulb method based on plug-side being first. Otherwise voltage will not be present at the open-filament bulb, and this point will be the one to change, not the previous one. It's a matter of understanding direction and voltage present. There's more than one way to skin a cat, and he established the one method. ("Current" should not be said; "Voltage present", as earlier stated, is correct - I know you know this.) I also recommend, on a new set, to remove each bulb and apply dielectric grease (LOL); it should be helpful for preventing bad contacts, although.
Great video! As a Journeyman Electrician I have a suggestion: at 8:15, instead of suggesting a random place to start, proceed from the end to the middle of the string and test there (since you've already tested the first and last bulbs). This will divide the problem in half and give you a direction in which to proceed - it will save a lot of time on fixing long strings of lights (and any long circuit in general) ☺
Great video and thanks for your time in making it as well as HOW you did it, (slow, clearly and methodically). I'm an electrical engineer and I'm unsure why there were negative responses to this. Keep making great videos and Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Three years ago I realized that I was spending more time fixing those old incandescent light strings than I was hanging the lights !! 🤔🤔🤔🤔 I had maybe a dozen strings and I even had one of those "Impossible to repair" reindeer displays. I collected the lot and gave them all to the Well Good will store. I then went to Wally World and bought a boat load of LED style light strings. After three years of of usage, I have YET to have to repair a single one of them !! With all their color and automatic lighting options, they are a true Christmas Joy.
I wish I could say the same from my LED sets I have left, I’ve got incandescent sets going back to the 70s/80s in C7 and C9, and incandescent mini lights that predate needing a fuse In the plug, that just had some burn out last year, yet out of all the LED sets I bought over the years, only about 6 sets remain, and they’re not even 10 years old
Nice Video Mr. Fix It. Something I have told my apprentices through the years is: "Wide is White" to explain about the polarization when wiring the NEMA 5-15 and 5-20 receptacles. I have found it faster and more reliable than looking for the silver and brass colored screws.
New drinking game; take a shot everytime he says "Now". You'll have alcohol poisoning by the half-way point. JK! Very helpful video, thanks for posting.
very helpful, thank you. worked on most of my lights but it gets much more difficult when your light string is almost a mile long and has like ten different burn out sections.
Great video, informative and very thorough! I have always wanted to know an easy fix for finding and replacing those bulbs. When you have a string of 50, swapping out bulbs (the old fashioned way) gets tiresome very quickly. I also appreciate how you covered all the bases for safety. I knew that these strings have fuses, but I never knew why there were two of them! great explanation. Thanks for posting it!
Well done my friend. Just fixed a Xmas garland that hangs on my front door and it was very easy. Had the tester in a kit and never used it until now. Loving it man!
This is a great video with a helpful explanation and it saved my lights! - I just bought a voltage tester, definitely an inexpensive but very useful tool to have in a house! Thank you!
I believe you are talking about the lights like what I have where there's a controller that allows "movement" among the different light colors (or bulbs if it's a single-color strand.) In that case, the procedure will still work. What you have though is three separate circuits. What you have to do is start at the beginning of the strand and count out in threes. Example: The first bulb on the strand is on the same circuit as the 4th bulb, 7th bulb, 10th bulb, and so on. You see the pattern developing. Bulb #2 matches with bulbs 5, 8, 11, and so on. Bulb #3 matches with bulbs 6, 9, 12, etc. So, when you get to the bulb without current, count backwards on the strand by three bulbs and that should be your bad bulb. A visual representation might be helpful: Three "strands" of lights. A, B, and C. When you test, the order of the bulbs will go: A1 - B1 - C1 - A2 - B2 - C2 - A3 - B3 - C3 - A4 - B4 - C4. If bulb A4 doesn't have current, go back and change the bulb in socket A3.
Hi, I live in the UK. I have a string of 30 serial light connected to the mains in which one is not glowing....rest are all fine. Is there a fix for this problem, please ?
He must be from the south...seems like he's a nice guy and good at letting kids know how to check bulbs, but I'm an adult and needed simple and straight to the point directions! Either way at least now I know and I do appreciate it. So thanks for the info
you don't have to check every light just go half way along if there's power go another half way, If there's no power go back half way, also the tester I used was very sensitive and you need to change the technique for twisted wires. but thanx lighting the way.
Time is money! If you make $20/hr and it takes 2 hours to go through this process.. that's $40. A string of new lights is $3-$15 maybe. It takes 2 minutes to splice wire. If you need more lights, go by another string! To some people, they have all day to find the bulb, and that's perfectly fine. Others don't have time, but have more money. If splicing the wire saved your friend time or... let's be honest, mental health... then it was worth the splice. 🤣
Show us how to find it on a 300 bulb net light, not so easy , you can test for power and get false readings everywhere since you have no clue how the net was wired. I have also found that what you would think is the last bulb in a net isn’t always the case
Mr . Fixit, thanks for your video. your method is quicker tan mine, i used to test a bulb at a time with a continuity checker that contains a 3V bulb and a 4.5V battery. Both bulbs glow when the tested bulb is good. Merry Chritmas.
Before viewing, I though this would be another useless "how to". Man, was I wrong. Great video, and I will run out and get one of those voltage testers. I have one for house mains circuit, but not one of those pencil type testers. Too bad we just went over the bad strings on our Christmas tree, with working lights. Next year I'll find the culprit, and not buy a new tree as I had planned.
Dear Mr Fix-it, this works because you are dealing with lights only in series. What if we have those lights with multiple qires that are in series and in parallel at the same time (the ones with more than 2 wires) ? Would it be the same principle? Would the tester be able to identify a burned light ?
Thanks for the vid. Now riddle me this.. I have 2 strings of lights similiar to yours.. the more than half the lights nearest the plug aren't lighting up, but the tail end is. What is going on here? Power is going through, but why aren't the first half of the bulbs lighting up?
Thanks for the info. This is a good diagnostic procedure. Like other commenters have said, the video is long but the info is well worth the view. Thank you and merry Christmas (or is it too early for that ;) ).
It's a contactless (or non-contact) voltage tester. Like this one: www.harborfreight.com/non-contact-voltage-tester-63919.html. I bought a similar one for ten bucks but it is very sensitive. It starts firing when you're 3 inches from the wires, which makes fault isolation more difficult. More expensive models have a dial to allow you to adjust the sensitivity.
I need help. When I test my lights my tester does not give a signal at the lightbulb, not at any bulb, I only get a signal on the wire about 2 inches away from the bulb, and I get a signal all up and down the line. I cannot identify any problem and none of my lights work. The fuses at the end are all fine because I'm getting a signal. Help!
Uh. In the title. "How to quickly find bad Christmas light bulbs". See how it says "quickly" there? Or maybe in the third sentence of the description: "Here is a quick way". See how it says "quick" there?
It is a quick way. Sorry I don't stand up to your standards. Too short and you whine cause I left something out, too long and you whine because you already knew how to resolve the problem. The video wasn't meant for the Know-it-alls". RUclips has no filter for know-it-alls.
Talk about Whining! Look, here is some constructive criticism, maybe start the video with an explanation of the skill level that it represents or put it in the title. "A quick an easy way to fix Christmas lights for people who know nothing about them or how they work" The video itself is very informative and helpful but not for someone who was looking for your quick fix. Those of us who are capable would then realize that this video is not for us. Have a Merry Christmas. Oh, I guess I should indicate whether or not your tip worked for me, it did't.
When you test the last bulb first and it beeps, you say either the bulb is bad (I get that) or you need to flip the plug around (I didn't get that part). Why did you need to flip it? I thought you said it wasn't polarized and it didn't matter which way it was plugged, it would work the same either way?
Some people are complaining about the length of the video. As for me, thanks, I needed the explanation. I now know more about testing Christmas tree lights than I had learned in 67 prior years of life. Plus, I love to watch someone who actually knows what he is doing.
Merry Christmas, Brother,
Dr. G
A know many are complaining, but I found it useful, so thank you. I was surprised that when you find the bulb not lighting, the problem is the previous bulb! Thanks and Merry Christmas.
Thanks for the video! I love when someone thoroughly explains how to perform/complete a task.
You're Welcome.
monique rapozo ''"
THANK YOU!!! I started checking bulbs one by one. Decided to check RUclips. Saw your video first. You reminded me about the fuse in the plug. Checked that and it was bad. Changed it and I'm done! God bless you! Merry Christmas!
Thanks buddy! You saved my mariage. My plug is polarized, but still comes with two fuses. That means I got a backup to replace the burnt one. Merry Christmas everybody.
Thanks for the video. Although it's a bit long and wordy, you're the first one to show the whole process. I bought a christmas light tester and it seemed of litttle help. The couple extra steps you showed should make this a successful effort. Thanks again.
Thank you, this is great. I watched a similar video that showed using a voltage detector, but when I thought I replaced the "bad bulb," it didn't work. The explanation about the non-polarized plugs and turning the plug around fixed my problem! Thank you for the complete explanation and tip about starting with the last bulb!
I followed your steps. The bulb on the end (which isn't really the end since the end is a female plug to hook another string up) lights up either way. So I changed that bulb and the string still doesn't work. I checked the bulbs all the way down. The beginning ones indicated that current it going to it. The ending ones all indicate current is going to them, but there's a few in the middle that don't. And a few that are iffy, like there's current, but not much I guess? I notice that mine has three cords while yours has two. I just hate that I bought a $10 device to fix a $5 string of lights lol
I don't have a broken string to try this out on yet but I really appreciate the information that you have provided. The price of regular LED lights isn't too bad but lawn ornaments with LED bulbs can be quite expensive so it is good to be able to fix, rather than replace them. Thank you for the video!
Thanks Mr. FixIt, usually don't comment, but you saved me $30 bucks! Happy Holidays!
So many critics? Bottom line: follow his instructions and you can easily fix your lights. Before watching this video, I struggled, unsuccessfully for an hour, to fix my pre-lit Christmas tree lights. After watching this video I fixed them in 5 minutes! Just to add a couple details; the tester is called a non-contact voltage tester. It detects voltage in the line (hot) side of the circuit. The bulbs are only connected to one side of the circuit, the other side is a single wire for the return path to complete the circuit. So, when the tester shows voltage at the end of the string with no lights lit, it means the bulbs are connected to the return path instead of the hot. So, for the tester to work, the bulbs need to be on the hot side, that's why he reverses the plug. But, you don't need to understand any of this, just follow his instructions. His simplicity is genius.
Ditto Bob! If my apprentices started wining like that, I'd send them home to their momma! It's like the master who I broke in under said: you can't learn with an open mouth.
Bob I couldn't agree more. Good God if you dont have something nice to say just go on to the next video. If they already knew then why are they searching anyway. I love dogs and hate most people
Excellent video !!!!! Bought one of the testers you used from Lowes, followed your video step by step and found the burnt out bulb. Now my pre lit tree is fully lit again, thank you so much
What was the tester called ?
Non-Contact Voltage Tester, harbor freight has one for less than $6
Thanks For Taking The Time to help us find a bad bulb in a set of Christmas lights , it can be very frustrating and hard on the fingers pulling out a hundred lights only to find out it was the last bulb on the string . Hope you get over your cold soon .Merry Christmas
One of the best demos on repairing Xmas lights. Thanks and Merry Xmas.
thank you for taking the time to show how to fix Christmas lights.
Thanks for the thorough explanation. Very professional. Disregard the geniuses who go mad for you not going to "the point" right away. They could just skip whatever section they already feel familiar with. Not everyone is knowledgeable about basic electronic.
One of the best DIY videos I’ve ever watched! Thanks for the tips!
Helpful, but this video could have been 3 minutes long instead off 12.
I was about to throw out a 140 bulb set which has 4 sections (4 colors X 35 bulbs each) and uses 3.5V Bulbs. It is from 1995. When I saw you using the pencil voltage tester--I grabbed mine. Never used it on these sets before and it does test low voltage as well. I thought the set was shot on 2 color sections. Used the tester and realized voltage was active on all ends of the set, so the bulbs had to be bad and a couple of shunts which kill all the bulbs in one section. Checked all the bulbs and replaced bad ones and set works now. The set has a "Combination light show control" and is very nice for viewing. I have four of them and the bulbs are hard to get because they have to be "Super Brite" ones. Thanks.
Very informative , I liked that you repeated and explained slowly. Working with electricity is dangerous, some lousy people want to rush through everything they do in life, (hopefully they will get zapped with 120, lol). You MrFixit, keep up the good work my friend..
haha, its 3 amps they will feel it :D
Bottom line, in spite of the negative comments, is I was able to "fix" my stash of Christmas light sets gone bad because of this video. Key take away for me from this video is the use of NCVT (Non Contact Voltage Tester). Thanks ESRepair !
Thank you Mr Fix It! You explaining the whole flipping the plug and it shows which fuse is good or bad is much appreciated. Can't believe no ones ever mentioned it in past. Let the lighting festivities begin! Thank you and Merry Christmas!
Good video. It explained everything thoroughly and clearly right through without leaving anything out. I just hard copied almost everything you said into print and threw the paper in the bin with the Christmas lights.
You can't win. If you explain in great detail "it's toooooooo long, you talk tooooooo muuuuuuuch." But if you get straight to the point, it's too complicated and you got a bunch of idiots asking questions about all the little miniscule details in the comments. 💀 RUclips has this cool little feature called "fast-forward" maybe use it.
11:34 for summary. I never thought of using a voltage detector for this. Polarity is key (6:32) for the previous-bulb method based on plug-side being first. Otherwise voltage will not be present at the open-filament bulb, and this point will be the one to change, not the previous one. It's a matter of understanding direction and voltage present. There's more than one way to skin a cat, and he established the one method.
("Current" should not be said; "Voltage present", as earlier stated, is correct - I know you know this.)
I also recommend, on a new set, to remove each bulb and apply dielectric grease (LOL); it should be helpful for preventing bad contacts, although.
Great video! As a Journeyman Electrician I have a suggestion: at 8:15, instead of suggesting a random place to start, proceed from the end to the middle of the string and test there (since you've already tested the first and last bulbs). This will divide the problem in half and give you a direction in which to proceed - it will save a lot of time on fixing long strings of lights (and any long circuit in general) ☺
Haha, that’s a very common “search algorithm” in the world of computer science, great point!
"Reverse the plug in the outlet"- THAT"S the trick I needed to know. Many thanks!
Thank you! I learned a lot & appreciate your time to explain in detail. Not everyone has the patience to teach thus learn.
Great video and thanks for your time in making it as well as HOW you did it, (slow, clearly and methodically). I'm an electrical engineer and I'm unsure why there were negative responses to this. Keep making great videos and Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Three years ago I realized that I was spending more time fixing those old incandescent light strings than I was hanging the lights !! 🤔🤔🤔🤔
I had maybe a dozen strings and I even had one of those "Impossible to repair" reindeer displays.
I collected the lot and gave them all to the Well Good will store.
I then went to Wally World and bought a boat load of LED style light strings.
After three years of of usage, I have YET to have to repair a single one of them !!
With all their color and automatic lighting options, they are a true Christmas Joy.
I wish I could say the same from my LED sets I have left, I’ve got incandescent sets going back to the 70s/80s in C7 and C9, and incandescent mini lights that predate needing a fuse In the plug, that just had some burn out last year, yet out of all the LED sets I bought over the years, only about 6 sets remain, and they’re not even 10 years old
The REAL pain in the ass is a pre-lit TREE that quits working! ☹️😡👎
Nice Video Mr. Fix It. Something I have told my apprentices through the years is: "Wide is White" to explain about the polarization when wiring the NEMA 5-15 and 5-20 receptacles. I have found it faster and more reliable than looking for the silver and brass colored screws.
The tester is a good idea. Otherwise in 22 years of CB radio ,Motorola / GE two way radio repair experience have taught me its almost NEVER the fuse.
gatesmw50 and if it is, it blew for a reason
New drinking game; take a shot everytime he says "Now". You'll have alcohol poisoning by the half-way point. JK! Very helpful video, thanks for posting.
Pulled out my lights and half of the strings didn't work. This helped a lot. Great job.
Excellent and precise instructions! Just what I needed. Thanks!
very helpful, thank you. worked on most of my lights but it gets much more difficult when your light string is almost a mile long and has like ten different burn out sections.
Good Job - Complete and Easy to understand. Best of the few I watched. Thanks
The 60 pound box of christmas lights is calling my name. I just bought them and some work and some don't. Thank you
Great video, informative and very thorough! I have always wanted to know an easy fix for finding and replacing those bulbs. When you have a string of 50, swapping out bulbs (the old fashioned way) gets tiresome very quickly. I also appreciate how you covered all the bases for safety. I knew that these strings have fuses, but I never knew why there were two of them! great explanation. Thanks for posting it!
Well done my friend. Just fixed a Xmas garland that hangs on my front door and it was very easy. Had the tester in a kit and never used it until now. Loving it man!
Thank you so much. Since my accident everything is extra hard to do and this was awesome. Again, gracias!
Thank you Mr. Fix-it, you just saved me lots of time.
This is a great video with a helpful explanation and it saved my lights! - I just bought a voltage tester, definitely an inexpensive but very useful tool to have in a house! Thank you!
Was helpful, thank you. I agree with the general sentiment that you could have delivered the same help in %25 of the time. Thanks in any event.
That is why I speeded him up x2... 😉
2 wire strands are simple. most strands now are 3 wire. How do you detect a bad bulb in a 3 wire strand??????
I believe you are talking about the lights like what I have where
there's a controller that allows "movement" among the different light
colors (or bulbs if it's a single-color strand.) In that case, the
procedure will still work. What you have though is three separate
circuits. What you have to do is start at the beginning of the strand
and count out in threes. Example: The first bulb on the strand is on
the same circuit as the 4th bulb, 7th bulb, 10th bulb, and so on. You
see the pattern developing. Bulb #2 matches with bulbs 5, 8, 11, and so
on. Bulb #3 matches with bulbs 6, 9, 12, etc. So, when you get to the
bulb without current, count backwards on the strand by three bulbs and
that should be your bad bulb.
A visual representation might be helpful: Three "strands" of lights.
A, B, and C. When you test, the order of the bulbs will go: A1 - B1 -
C1 - A2 - B2 - C2 - A3 - B3 - C3 - A4 - B4 - C4.
If bulb A4 doesn't have current, go back and change the bulb in socket
A3.
in the text you took showing this useful tip...I just went out and bought new lights!
So informative! I learned so much & it will help me with all my Christmas light strands! Thank you so much!!
Super helpful! I figured there was an easy way to isolate the bad bulb and you just confirmed this. Thanks!
Yet another year you saved our christmas.. Last year was house lights, this year was the christmas tree.
Really appreciate your video advice! I'm off to buy a voltage tester now.
Hi, I live in the UK. I have a string of 30 serial light connected to the mains in which one is not glowing....rest are all fine. Is there a fix for this problem, please ?
If you dont have the device to check the fuses, plug in the bad lights and plug in good lights over them, If the good lights work, your fuse is good
Smart!😊
He must be from the south...seems like he's a nice guy and good at letting kids know how to check bulbs, but I'm an adult and needed simple and straight to the point directions! Either way at least now I know and I do appreciate it. So thanks for the info
Thank you for your presentation, will this method apply to LED lights as well?
Such a wonderful bit of knowledge, thank you so much!!
You do a nice job. but I have a problem with wordiness.
+Barbara Abshier . Relax.
Good job in thoroughly explaining the process.
Very good technique thank you. The only suggestion I have is to cut the explanation in half
Thank you I’ve spent way more time trying to fix these rascals than there worth with no success, but the next week I’m I’ll know.
Thank you, saving me time trying to find that one bulb.
you don't have to check every light just go half way along if there's power go another half way, If there's no power go back half way, also the tester I used was very sensitive and you need to change the technique for twisted wires. but thanx lighting the way.
Thank you kind sir for sharing these tips You have saved me So Much Aggravation Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to you and your family
will this testing procedure work on icicle light strands also? thank you for the great video and information
Is it bad if you just removed the bad portions and then splice the good ones together. Asking for a friend that did this and it worked. 😉
Time is money! If you make $20/hr and it takes 2 hours to go through this process.. that's $40. A string of new lights is $3-$15 maybe. It takes 2 minutes to splice wire. If you need more lights, go by another string! To some people, they have all day to find the bulb, and that's perfectly fine. Others don't have time, but have more money. If splicing the wire saved your friend time or... let's be honest, mental health... then it was worth the splice. 🤣
Awesome video!! Thank you for the tip Bud! I will def try this when we have our light issues!!
great tip! but my question is how many bulbs are in those lights ?? please reply
Show us how to find it on a 300 bulb net light, not so easy , you can test for power and get false readings everywhere since you have no clue how the net was wired.
I have also found that what you would think is the last bulb in a net isn’t always the case
Hi, what happens if there are two bulbs out, it's going to be a bit confusing when you change the bulb and the lights still don't come on.
thank you so much!!! We used this, and I was so happy it worked!!!
what setting do you put your tester on to test string lights?
Mr . Fixit, thanks for your video. your method is quicker tan mine, i used to test a bulb at a time with a continuity checker that contains a 3V bulb and a 4.5V battery. Both bulbs glow when the tested bulb is good. Merry Chritmas.
Thanks, this was a great explanation. I hope you did one on LED lights too as I decided to switch to that type.
What if there is a corrosion problem at Bulb X. Will it indicate the same as what you just demonstrated where the problem is 1 bulb back?
It should as long the corrosion didnt separate the wires and the contacts. But you'll need to clean the corrosion off. -MrFixit
Before viewing, I though this would be another useless "how to". Man, was I wrong. Great video, and I will run out and get one of those voltage testers. I have one for house mains circuit, but not one of those pencil type testers. Too bad we just went over the bad strings on our Christmas tree, with working lights. Next year I'll find the culprit, and not buy a new tree as I had planned.
Good , clear and concise video.
Wow never new that trick fantastic job thanks
Dear Mr Fix-it, this works because you are dealing with lights only in series. What if we have those lights with multiple qires that are in series and in parallel at the same time (the ones with more than 2 wires) ? Would it be the same principle? Would the tester be able to identify a burned light ?
It should work, but tested in the reverse method than shown. I'll have to find some of those lights to see the best way to test them.
Why does it make a difference if the plug is in either one way or the other? That complicates the matter now.
Thanks for the vid. Now riddle me this.. I have 2 strings of lights similiar to yours.. the more than half the lights nearest the plug aren't lighting up, but the tail end is. What is going on here? Power is going through, but why aren't the first half of the bulbs lighting up?
Were you able to find out what happened? The same thing just happened to me.
It's 2 separate circuits. A lot of light strings are set up that way
You
Saved Christmas!! Thank you so much.
Thanks for the info. This is a good diagnostic procedure. Like other commenters have said, the video is long but the info is well worth the view. Thank you and merry Christmas (or is it too early for that ;) ).
I know. Thanks. I just wanted to make sure I covered everything.. Merry Christmas.
Worked like a charm. Thanks for going over the fuses as well as the rest of the tips. Perfect video, I fast forward the parts I didn’t need. Thanks
Would you mind telling what kind of TESTER you are using????
It's a contactless (or non-contact) voltage tester. Like this one: www.harborfreight.com/non-contact-voltage-tester-63919.html.
I bought a similar one for ten bucks but it is very sensitive. It starts firing when you're 3 inches from the wires, which makes fault isolation more difficult. More expensive models have a dial to allow you to adjust the sensitivity.
Is it possible to replace dead incandescent Christmas light bulbs with LED bulbs as they die? Is the wiring totally different between the two?
I need help. When I test my lights my tester does not give a signal at the lightbulb, not at any bulb, I only get a signal on the wire about 2 inches away from the bulb, and I get a signal all up and down the line. I cannot identify any problem and none of my lights work. The fuses at the end are all fine because I'm getting a signal. Help!
good video you took me to class only one question why didn't you keep flip flopping the plug as you did when you checked the first bulb at the end ?
There is absolutely nothing quick about a 12 minute video!!!!!!
Where did it says it was suppose to be Quick?
Uh. In the title. "How to quickly find bad Christmas light bulbs". See how it says "quickly" there? Or maybe in the third sentence of the description: "Here is a quick way". See how it says "quick" there?
It is a quick way. Sorry I don't stand up to your standards. Too short and you whine cause I left something out, too long and you whine because you already knew how to resolve the problem. The video wasn't meant for the Know-it-alls". RUclips has no filter for know-it-alls.
Talk about Whining! Look, here is some constructive criticism, maybe start the video with an explanation of the skill level that it represents or put it in the title. "A quick an easy way to fix Christmas lights for people who know nothing about them or how they work" The video itself is very informative and helpful but not for someone who was looking for your quick fix. Those of us who are capable would then realize that this video is not for us. Have a Merry Christmas. Oh, I guess I should indicate whether or not your tip worked for me, it did't.
+ESRepair
Please rename video:
Christmas Light Fix, Not For Sissy, Crybaby, Whiney Ass Fucktards.
Just trying to help.
Good day sirs.
Worked Great. Saved a long set of lights. Thank you!!!
What if the wiring is three-strand, like mine, instead of two? I've got lights on except in the middle of the strand.
I had the same problem, but this video helped as I learned about the 2 fuses hidden in the plugs
When you test the last bulb first and it beeps, you say either the bulb is bad (I get that) or you need to flip the plug around (I didn't get that part). Why did you need to flip it? I thought you said it wasn't polarized and it didn't matter which way it was plugged, it would work the same either way?
Hey they had a recall on that tester a couple years ago. Make sure yours isn't part of the recall. Thanks for the video!
Great video !!! Will this work with LEDs
Better than a multi-meter. Thank you.
great vid sir,,, Merry Christmas... my house looks extremely nice now...
what is the name of thing tool you used i just want to check to see if im right because i think im going to get one for similar things
It's called an AC Voltage Detector. Most hardware stores carry them. -MrFixit
Thanks a bunch for your help!! Saved me loads of frustration and time
Very helpful tutorial! Thank you.
Uhh! it's confusing with netting lights. I have new lights, but one half is out and half is lite. Bah humbug!
Thank you, very helpful!