How to Fit & Fix Christmas Lights
After spending hours putting up Christmas lights, it can be frustrating when they don’t turn on. This guide not only makes fixing Christmas lights easy by showing you how to quickly change the fuse but also offers tips for easy fitting, so you can get your Christmas tree twinkling and continue celebrating the festive season.
How to fit Christmas lights
1. Plan Your Display
- Decide where you’ll hang the lights (indoors or outdoors).
- Measure the area to ensure you have enough lights.
- Choose lights suitable for the location (indoor/outdoor-rated).
2. Check Your Lights
- Test the lights by plugging them in before installation to ensure they work.
- Replace any faulty bulbs or damaged strings.
3. Gather Tools and Supplies
- Ladder (if hanging high).
- Hooks, clips, or adhesive strips suitable for your surface.
- Extension cords and a timer for convenience.
4. Start Installation
- Indoors:
- Use adhesive hooks or tape to hang lights around windows, mantels, or walls.
- For Christmas trees, start at the top and work your way down in a spiral.
- Outdoors:
- Use gutter clips or hooks to attach lights along the roofline or fences.
- Secure lights to bushes or trees with zip ties.
5. Connect and Secure
- Plug lights into a nearby outlet or extension cord.
- Secure the cords with cable clips to prevent tripping hazards.
6. Final Adjustments
- Turn the lights on and check for even spacing.
- Adjust as needed to ensure a neat display.
7. Safety Tips
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets.
- Use weatherproof connectors for outdoor lights.
- Turn off lights when unattended or use a timer.
How to fix Christmas lights that won't turn on?
When a whole string of lights will not turn on it is likely the fuse has blown. Luckily, replacing a fuse in a 3-pin plug is simple and cheap to do. But before you ask ‘how do you replace a fuse in Christmas lights?’ double check the switch of the socket the Christmas lights are plugged into is turned on, and try plugging them into a different socket. If they still do not turn on, read on to learn how to fix broken Christmas lights.
How to change fuse on Christmas tree lights
- Unplug the string of Christmas lights that won’t turn on. To find out more about electrical safety with Christmas lights see Electrical Safety First’s Christmas Lights guide.
- Locate the fuse panel found on the light’s plug. If you cannot see the fuse panel unscrew the plug’s cover to find it.
- Open the fuse panel using a screwdriver.
- Remove the fuse. If the fuse is blown it may look discoloured, but you can use a fuse tester to check.
- If the fuse is blown you will need a new fuse that matches the size, type, and amperage of the old one.
- Insert the new fuse and close the fuse panel.
- Plug in the lights and check they work.
If the lights still do not work and the bulbs are replaceable, you may be able to fix them by finding and replacing the faulty bulb.
Where to recycle Christmas lights
If your Christmas tree lights are still not working after changing the fuse and checking the bulbs, you may need to throw them away. Recycling centres accept Christmas lights in their electrical items bins, and recycling points found in retail car parks often have electrical recycling bins.
If you are hanging your Christmas lights outside, double check their IP and IK ratings are suitable for outdoors, and why not try Masterplug’s to double up on weatherproof protection for your electricals. To learn about IP Ratings and IK Ratings see our other Electrical & Lighting Buying Guides.
Disclaimer: The product statements contained herein are intended for informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness for a specific application or use. Builder Depot does not guarantee the result of product operation or assume any liability for personal injury or property damage resulting from the use of such products.