💡Why Are My Lights Flickering!?

7 common causes & when to call an Electrician

Flickering lights driving you mental? You're not alone. It's one of those electrical problems that starts as a minor annoyance but quickly becomes the thing that makes you want to throw something at the wall.

The good news? Most flickering lights have straightforward causes. The bad news? Some of them are telling you there's a bigger problem lurking behind your walls that could become expensive — or dangerous — if you ignore it.

Let's cut through the confusion and get to the bottom of why your lights are having a disco party when all you want is steady illumination.

So why do you have flickering lights!? Here's what might be going on.

1. Your Big Appliances Are Power Hungry

What's happening: When your air conditioner, pool pump, or electric hot water system 🚿kicks in, your lights dim or flicker for a second.

This is actually pretty normal. Large appliances draw significant current when they start up, causing a temporary voltage drop ⚡ that makes your lights react. It's like your electrical system taking a deep breath.

When to worry: If the flickering is getting worse, lasting longer, or happening with smaller appliances like your kettle, that's when you need to pay attention. Your electrical system might be struggling to keep up with demand.

2. Loose Connections (The Silent Troublemaker)

What's happening: Loose connections in switches, outlets, or junction boxes create inconsistent electrical flow, making lights flicker randomly.

This isn't just annoying — it's potentially dangerous. Loose connections generate heat, and heat plus electricity equals fire risk. 🔥 We've seen too many close calls from connections that looked "fine" but were actually arcing inside the wall.

DIY check: If you're comfortable doing it safely, turn off the circuit and check obvious connections like light switches and fixture connections. But if you're not 100% confident, don't mess around. Call us. ⚠️

3. It's Just a Dodgy Bulb 💡

What's happening: Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one. Your bulb might be faulty, or you might have the wrong type of bulb for your fixture. 💡

Close-up view of a flickering light bulb as a common household issue.

We see this a lot with LED bulbs in older dimmer switches. Not all LEDs play nice with all dimmers, and the result is flickering that'll give you a headache.

Quick fix: Try a different bulb first. Make sure it's compatible with your fixture and dimmer (if you have one). If the flickering stops, problem solved. If it doesn't, keep reading.

4. Your Wiring Is Past Its Use-By Date

What's happening: Old, damaged, or dodgy wiring creates unstable electrical flow throughout your home.

This is the big one. Faulty wiring doesn't just cause flickering — it's a genuine fire hazard. If your home is more than 25 years old and hasn't had an electrical update, this could be your culprit.

Red flags: Flickering in multiple rooms, burning smells, warm switch plates, or scorch marks around outlets. Don't ignore these signs.

5. Your Switchboard Is Struggling

What's happening: Your switchboard distributes power throughout your home. If it's old, overloaded, or has loose connections, it can cause flickering across multiple circuits.

Many Queensland homes still have old switchboards that weren't designed for today's electrical demands. They're doing their best, but they're basically trying to run a modern home on 1980s infrastructure.

The fix: Switchboard upgrades aren't cheap, but they're an investment in safety and reliability. Plus, modern switchboards with RCD protection could save your life.

6. Incompatible Fixtures and Dimmers

What's happening: Your dimmer switch and bulbs are having a compatibility argument, and the flickering is their way of showing it.

Not all bulbs work with all dimmers. This is especially common with LED bulbs and older dimmer switches that were designed for incandescent bulbs.

The solution: Check that your dimmers are rated for the type of bulbs you're using. If not, either change the bulbs or upgrade the dimmer. It's usually cheaper to upgrade the dimmer.

7. Overloaded Circuits (Your Electrical System Is Maxed Out)

What's happening: Too many devices on one circuit create competition for power, resulting in flickering when demand peaks.

Think of it like a garden hose — if you attach too many sprinklers, none of them work properly. Your electrical circuits work the same way.

Reality check: Circuits should only be loaded to about 80% of their capacity. If you're running your gaming setup, air fryer, and washing machine all on the same circuit, something's got to give.

When to Stop Googling about your 'Flickering Lights' and Call an Electrician

Look, we appreciate DIY spirit, but electricity isn't something to mess around with. Call us if:

• Flickering in multiple rooms — This suggests a bigger system problem

• Consistent flickering — Not just when appliances start up

• Burning smells or warm outlets — These are emergency territory

• You're not sure what you're doing — Seriously, electrical work can kill you

The Bottom Line

Most flickering lights are fixable, but some are warning signs of bigger problems. The trick is knowing which is which.

We've seen too many "small" electrical problems turn into house fires or major repairs because someone thought they could wait it out. Don't be that person.

If you're dealing with flickering lights and want someone to take a proper look, give us a call. We'll diagnose the problem properly and fix it right the first time — no disco lights, no drama, no dangerous shortcuts.

Ready to get your lights sorted?

Contact Hopkinson Electrical for honest advice and professional electrical work across Brisbane North.

Because flickering lights are annoying, but electrical fires are a whole lot worse.