Holiday lights going dark on you? Don’t let flickering bulbs, dead sections, or tripping outlets steal your festive spirit this season!

The holiday season brings joy, warmth, and the magical glow of twinkling lights adorning homes across Long Island. However, nothing dampens the festive spirit quite like discovering your carefully hung holiday display has gone dark, is flickering annoyingly, or keeps tripping your electrical outlets. Whether you’re dealing with stubborn dead sections, mysterious flickering, or GFCI outlets that won’t stay on, understanding these common holiday lighting problems can save you time, money, and holiday stress.

Understanding GFCI Tripping Issues

GFCI outlets sense the slightest difference in the amount of electricity between what enters a circuit and what leaves the circuit. A small variation, as little as 5 milliamps, will cause the circuit to trip or shut down within 1/10th of a second. While this safety feature protects against electrical shock, when it comes to Christmas lights and decorations, generally all it takes to trip a circuit is for a little moisture to get into the outlet, cord, or lights. If this happens and the power is on, the circuit will trip, causing the lights and décor to go out.

The most common causes of GFCI tripping include:

• Moisture intrusion: GFCI outlets are extremely sensitive to environmental changes. If you live in a rainy, snowy, or extremely cold area, then you shouldn’t be too surprised if your outdoor outlets trip at some point during the holiday season.
• Overloaded circuits: Like any other outlet, GFCIs can be overloaded by strenuous power demands. When it comes to holiday lights, this can easily happen. Generally, Christmas lights don’t demand too much power, but as you string more and more lights together, the power demands can quickly add up.
• Damaged wiring: Many people staple their Christmas lights to their home. This is completely fine, but it does increase the chance that you’ll damage the lights themselves. If a cord has been punctured by a staple, that might allow moisture in and trip the GFCI.

Troubleshooting Dead Sections in Holiday Light Strings

One of the most frustrating holiday lighting problems is when entire sections of your carefully installed lights suddenly go dark. If it’s a smaller set of older incandescent lights, it’s probably wired in series—meaning the electrical current flows through each bulb one by one to complete the circuit. One bad bulb can take down the entire strand. For larger sets with parallel circuits, if a single bulb burns out, it can cause its section of lights to go dark while the rest stay lit. Usually, just swapping out that one bad bulb will get the whole set or the dark section working again.

To diagnose dead sections:

• Unplug the lights from the GFCI and reset your GFCI by pushing the button in the center of the outlet. Plug the lights back into the GFCI one section, roofline, or tree at a time. If plugging in a certain section is causing the GFCI to trip, you’ve localized the problem.
• To find a burned-out bulb, first unplug the lights and inspect each one for blackened or broken filaments. You can also use a bulb tester to quickly identify the faulty bulb. Once located, remove the dead bulb and replace it with one of the same type and voltage.
• If your entire string of lights won’t turn on, a blown fuse might be the problem. Christmas lights often contain small fuses located inside the plug. These fuses protect against power surges or overloads, but if one blows, the entire strand will stop working.

Fixing Flickering Holiday Lights

If bulbs are flickering when the light string is moved, this is likely caused by damage to the wiring and the light string will need to be replaced. However, not all flickering indicates terminal damage. Flickering usually indicates a loose bulb or a break in the circuit. Reseat all bulbs in their sockets and look for damaged wires or broken LEDs along the string. Flickering often stems from loose connections or a failing bulb. Tighten all bulb connections and replace any visibly damaged bulbs to restore steady lighting.

For LED lights specifically, LEDs are very fast acting devices that run on DC only, so when powered by household AC, current passes through the LEDs during only half of each AC cycle. These LEDs actually go completely dark for half of the time, at a rate of 60 times/second. Your eyes may not detect this when staring directly at any bulb, but human eyes are much more sensitive to rapid changes in their periphery vision. So when there is any motion in your eyes or your head turns, you’ll notice this flickering.

Prevention Strategies for Common Holiday Light Problems

Professional installers recommend several proactive measures:

• Install an outlet cover – One of the most reliable ways to keep your outlets clear of the elements is to add an outlet cover. These handy covers protect from the elements while still allowing cords to be plugged in and threaded through the bottom.
• Set timers for lights – The longer lights are on, the more likely they’ll trip the GFCI. Set your Christmas lights on a timer. This will reduce the chances of a GFCI trip and will also help save you money on your power bills.
• Ensure plugs do not sit in water such as puddles or gutters. It also helps to prop plugs off the ground in areas that are susceptible to pooling.
• Adjusting the irrigation schedule around when the Christmas lights are on will make a big difference. If sprinklers are on at the same time as the holiday lights and decorations, you will be fighting a losing battle.

When to Call Professional Holiday Lighting Services

While many holiday lighting problems can be resolved with basic troubleshooting, persistent issues or safety concerns warrant professional intervention. If you’ve tried troubleshooting tips and are still experiencing issues with your Christmas lights tripping GFCI outlets, it’s best to consult a licensed electrician. They will have the expertise to diagnose and fix any electrical problems safely. Electrical safety should always be a top priority during the holiday season.

For Long Island residents, companies like Green Light Tree Services offer comprehensive Holiday Lighting Installation Long Island, NY services that eliminate these common frustrations. As the premier provider of tree services on Long Island, they provide residential and commercial clients with top-quality solutions through their team of highly skilled and experienced professionals. Their comprehensive maintenance services ensure your lights remain in top condition throughout the holiday season. When it’s time to take the lights down, their team handles the removal process quickly and efficiently, allowing you to focus on spending quality time with loved ones.

At Green Light Tree Services, they are committed to providing exceptional service and top-quality workmanship. Their team of certified arborists has the knowledge and experience to handle any challenge, prioritizing safety in everything they do while taking extra precautions to ensure property protection throughout the process.

The Bottom Line

Holiday lighting problems don’t have to ruin your festive season. Understanding the common causes of GFCI tripping, dead sections, and flickering lights empowers you to address many issues quickly and safely. However, when electrical problems persist or safety is a concern, don’t hesitate to contact professional holiday lighting services. With professional Christmas lighting and decoration setup, your property will be transformed into a stunning showcase during the holiday season, with all the necessary tools and equipment to install lights and decorations quickly, safely, and affordably, handling everything from three-story homes to massive trees.

Remember, by taking a little extra time during the installation process and making sure as many GFCI trigger points have been addressed as possible, you should be able to eliminate up to 75% of the GFCI issues you typically have. This holiday season, let your lights shine bright and keep the festive spirit glowing throughout your home.