Lights that flicker, dim, or pulse are trying to tell you something about your electrical system. The range runs from trivial — a loose bulb — to serious — a failing panel connection that needs immediate attention.
Start with the easy checks below. Pay attention to the pattern: one fixture, one room, or the whole house, and whether it lines up with the AC or another big appliance starting. That pattern is exactly what we ask about when you call (561) 786-1337.
Check These First
Tighten or replace the bulb — a loose or dying bulb flickers exactly like a wiring problem. If the fixture is on a dimmer, make sure the bulbs are dimmer-compatible; mismatched LEDs are the number-one cause of flicker we see.
If one fixture flickers and the rest are steady, the problem is almost certainly in that fixture or its bulb. If a whole room or the whole house flickers, keep reading.
When the AC Starts and the Lights Dip
A brief, slight dimming when the air conditioner kicks on can be normal — compressors draw a big surge at startup. But if the dip is strong, lasts more than a second, or is getting worse, the AC's startup draw is stressing the circuit.
Causes range from a weak AC capacitor pulling excess current to an undersized panel or a loose service connection. Because we handle both trades, one visit tests the AC side and the electrical side together instead of bouncing you between two companies.
Call Now If You See These
Whole-house flickering that comes and goes on its own, lights that dim when nothing large is running, any burning smell near the panel, or flickering paired with breakers tripping — those point to loose service connections or a failing panel, and they don't get better on their own.
Don't open the panel to look. Call (561) 786-1337 and describe the pattern; we'll prioritize it.
Common questions
My LED bulbs flicker on the dimmer. Is the wiring bad?
Almost certainly not — it's the dimmer and bulb combination. Older dimmers were designed for incandescent bulbs and chop power in a way LEDs can't handle. A compatible dimmer or bulb swap fixes it.
Lights dim every time the AC starts. Should I worry?
A slight, brief dip is common. A strong or lengthening dip means the startup surge is too much for the circuit or panel — worth a check, because it stresses both the AC and the electrical system.
One room flickers but the breaker is fine. What is it?
Usually a loose connection in that room's wiring or a failing fixture. It needs hands-on diagnosis — loose connections heat up over time, so don't ignore it.
Related help
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(561) 786-1337