Strange problem - light not always turning on

[groston]

In our garage, we have a couple of ceiling lights that are controlled by one switch. Every now and again, when the switch is flipped, the lights do not come on. This evening, for example, I toggled the switch about half a dozen times, but the lights did not come on. About ten seconds later, I flipped the switch and they came on.

When I first noticed the problem, I replaced the switch; but that has not helped. The bulbs are LED, of some sort, and I am wondering (though this is hard to believe) that the voltage might be a tad low? What on earth could cause this problem? Should I simply replace the bulbs?

[machinist]

Hi Groston!

If all the LEDs are acting up together, we can safely rule out the bulbs as the issue. The most likely problem is a loose or weak connection somewhere in the circuit. This could be at the switch, the fixtures, or even inside a junction box. Sometimes, even a slight wiggle in the wiring can interrupt power flow.

Another possibility is something in the electrical panel, like a loose breaker or minor voltage fluctuations, which could be preventing steady power from reaching the lights.

Since you've already swapped the switch, I’d suggest checking the wiring next. Start by ensuring the connections at the switch are secure. Then, inspect the wiring at the light fixtures to make sure there are no loose or corroded wires.

If all the wiring looks solid, grab a multimeter and check the voltage at the switch and the fixtures when flipping the switch. If the voltage isn’t steady or is lower than expected, the issue could be further upstream—possibly with the breaker or the wiring in the circuit itself.

Let us know how your troubleshooting goes! Hopefully, it’s just a loose connection, and you’ll have it sorted out quickly. Good luck!