How to fix a flickering fluorescent light

While this is extremely simple, it is one of my favorite home improvement DIY discoveries of all time.

It might sound dumb, but the fluorescent lights in my basement weren’t working right for a long time. I tried new bulbs but it didn’t make any difference. They flickered, went out, or didn’t come on at all after awhile.

fluorescent starter 001

fluorescent starter 002

fluorescent starter 003

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I figured the whole light fixtures were probably old and needed replaced. Glad I didn’t do that.

I forget now how I first found out, but there is a little cylindrical thing right at the end of older fixtures called a fluorescent starter.

The fluorescent light starter is what basically allows current to flow through to the fluorescent tube and light. If you’re having problems with the tubes and flickering light, etc., and you know it’s not the bulbs, then the starter is probably the first thing you want to check.

Anyway, I went out and got myself a couple fluorescent starters for next to nothing. You can get them at almost any store that sells fluorescent tubes and that kind of thing. I’d say almost any big box store will carry them.

fluorescent starter 007

They are a snap to replace.

To remove, mine turn counter-clockwise about a quarter turn, then it popped right out.

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To install the new one, I just pushed it in and turned it clockwise.

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fluorescent starter 009

Again, extremely simple but when you don’t know about it, it is sure an easy thing to miss.

Oh yeah. If you don’t see any starters on yours, then you probably have newer fixtures and don’t have any to replace. Sorry, can’t help you with those.

I like putting things on this site that I have had trouble finding information on in the past.

So this is definitely one of them.

After the new starters were in, the lights worked like a charm.

fluorescent starter 010

Easy and cheap, two of my favorite DIY ingredients.   🙂

14 Responses to “How to fix a flickering fluorescent light”

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  1. Yvonne says:

    Thanks that helped a lot.

  2. harry says:

    You the man, tman! Appreciate the time taken to help others. Not sure yet if it will work for me, but Im pretty confident. Cheers champ.

  3. Anonymous says:

    going to climb up there tomorrow and check it out. Thanks for the tip, circle bulbs are new but since they were replaced thay flicker. Afraid of a short or fire.

    • tmanwarrior says:

      Sure, hope everything worked out for you. I’m not sure how many newer fixtures this would apply to. If you think anything might be wrong you should definitely call a qualified electrician. Good luck!!!

  4. BDumas says:

    Not sure if this is the problem, but very appreciative for your solution in fixing it. My husband replaced the bulbs, two were burnt out, now it is flickering. These light are from 1998. Thank you will check it out!

  5. Anonymous says:

    Five years later & still helpful.

    Thanks!

  6. Mike says:

    What about the new florescent lights without a starter?

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