How to Fix a Buzzing Light
While the buzzing of a light bulb is usually not dangerous, it is definitely annoying. There are a few reasons why a light might make an annoying buzzing sound, and there are a few things you can try to fix.
Tighten the light bulb
The most common cause of a humming lamp is a burned out light bulb. This can happen with any type of light bulb, but it most often occurs with fluorescent light bulbs. In fluorescent light bulbs, the ballast that controls the flow of electricity to the bulb can also become weak and cause a humming noise. The easiest way to solve this problem is to simply turn off the light, tighten the bulb, and then turn the light back on. Be careful, especially with incandescent lamps, to allow them to cool before touching the surface of the lamp to avoid getting burned.
Replace ballast
If adjusting the fluorescent light bulb does not help, the ballast may have failed. This may cause the unit to vibrate, producing a buzzing sound. A ballast is an electromagnetic resistor that regulates the flow of electricity to fluorescent lamps. To fix this, you need to turn off the breaker going to the light fixture and remove the ballast cover. You will then need to disconnect the wires and remove the damaged ballast. Be sure to leave enough wire—at least three inches—to connect the new ballast . Then replace the ballast and reconnect the wires following the color code on the fixture. You can reassemble the light and turn the switch back on to check the repair.
Update your dimmer
For LED light bulbs, a common cause of humming is the dimmer designed for the incandescent light bulb used with the LED bulb. This incompatibility can cause the electronic components of the LED to vibrate, producing a humming sound. To solve this problem, you need to replace the dimmer with one that is compatible with LED bulbs. You should consult the packaging of your specific LED bulb, but CL , ELV and LED+ dimmers are compatible with most LED bulbs.
Other Common LED Problems
If your LED light is humming and you can’t see the dimmer switch, it’s most likely caused by loose wiring. In this case, you may need to replace the light bulb, or you may have to turn off the circuit breaker to inspect the light fixture itself. If all the wiring looks tight, the type of LED bulb you are using may not be compatible with the fixture in which it is installed. Check the packaging to ensure the lamp wattage is within the recommended wattage range. It is also possible that the bulb is faulty, so try replacing it with a different one to see if the buzzing stops.
When to call an electrician
In rare cases, the buzzing noise may come from the wiring of a switch or a connection in the home’s electrical wiring. If you hear a humming noise coming from the wiring or switch rather than from the light itself, you should turn off the circuit breaker powering that wiring and call an electrician. This humming noise may indicate a dangerous short circuit, which may pose a fire hazard.