Start with the easy stuff
If only one light flickers, check the bulb is screwed or pushed in properly and try a new one. Cheap LED bulbs are a frequent cause of flicker, especially as they age.
Dimmers and LEDs
Older dimmer switches were designed for traditional bulbs. With LEDs, they can cause flickering, buzzing or lights that never fully switch off. Swapping to an LED-compatible dimmer and dimmable bulbs usually fixes it.
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When it's more than a bulb
Call an electrician if:
- Several lights flicker at once, or across different rooms
- Lights dim noticeably when a big appliance switches on
- You hear buzzing or crackling from switches or fittings
- There's a burning smell or scorch marks
- Flickering started after other electrical work
What could be behind it
Loose connections in switches, ceiling roses or junction boxes, overloaded circuits, or occasionally an issue with the supply to your home. An electrician can test and find the cause. If it affects neighbours too, it may be a network issue – call 105.
