How to Find Bad Christmas Light Bulbs Quickly! LED or Incandescent

Рет қаралды 329,869

2 жыл бұрын

In this video I show you how to find bad or burned out Christmas light bulbs quickly! No more going bulb to bulb, pulling one out and putting in a good one just to see if that is the one not working. This will save you a ton of time and frustration.
Items Used in the Video:
Klein Non Contact Voltage Tester: amzn.to/3cTZpM2
Thank you for watching and for subscribing. You can support the channel at no cost to you by using one of the above affiliate links. This helps support the channel for new content!
Blessings,
Adam
How To Home assumes no liability for damage or injury. How To Home highly recommends using proper safety procedures and professionals when needed. Our content is for entertainment purposes only. No information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not How To Home. How To Home will not be held liable for any negligent or accidental damage or injury resulting from equipment, tools, electrical, fire, electronics or any items contained in this video. Attempt projects and repairs at your own risk.

Пікірлер: 419

@joecirillo374 2 жыл бұрын

I have to tell you, I have watched so many of these videos trying to fix my half working LED lines and this the first one that has actually worked for me. Thank you very much for this!

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

Oh awesome! I am glad it was able to help you. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

@petes6354 Жыл бұрын

@@HowToHomeDIY

@travelchannel304 Жыл бұрын

I haven't tried it but i agree.how straight forward this info is from the start.

@l.heredia9293 8 ай бұрын

I have spent too much time trying to fix the Christmas lights with my family. This will be a game changer. Thank you

@3FAZNI 7 ай бұрын

Same here. First and only video that are so easy to follow. Thank you so much.

@sreihart Жыл бұрын

Such an enjoyable video! No long lead-in that no one wants to see. You just kept it to the subject, clean, concise and informative. You sir, deserve a raise! GREAT JOB!

@jimstahlheber9002 6 ай бұрын

Great instructional vid for a non electrician. I have watched this last year and this year after I pulled the lights off the bushes and brought them in.

@anthonyautomobile8089 2 жыл бұрын

I'm a professional automotive technician, and shop owner, and I have definitely more than dabbled in AC voltage repair. I have to say this video was well produced, presented, to the point ,and informative, and I've always wanted one of those Klein non-contact detectors but since I have so many different DVOMs and even DSOs, I've always passed them up. This video has motivated me to follow the link and finally buy one. Well done, sir, and thank you! 👍🏻 (I subscribed as well!)

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, really appreciate that feedback Anthony. I am glad to hear that you liked it. Thanks again for the feedback and look forward to seeing you around on the channel!

@ladyknu-knu9906 Жыл бұрын

I have watched every video on You Tube on how to fix lights and yours is the best one. You explained things so much better than anyone else. Some are so technical that I had no idea what they were talking about. Yours, hands down, is the one that explains things where anyone can understand what to do. Thank you so much.

@JustinGuyer Жыл бұрын

This was such a great and easy to understand explanation. And best of all it worked! My half strand of lights I've been hanging onto for years now fully lights up! Thank you so much!

@yca67 Жыл бұрын

I have a box full of the expensive lights where only half works. In the past I’ve even thrown them out. Watched your video and immediately went to Amazon for my tool. Thank you!

@horizen12 Жыл бұрын

I had a tester, never could figure out how it worked, and just got to the point of throwing them away in frustration. I know exactly what I was doing wrong the whole time now. Thank you so much.

@eugenetswong Жыл бұрын

This is definitely helpful. It actually makes the process fun, and less of a chore. Thank you. I'd love to be able to make a detector at home.

@drhermanstein Жыл бұрын

Just echoing a lot of the previous comments. Well shot, well recorded, well edited and the content is top notch. I now know more than when I started watching. most others just left me confused.

@SB-qg3re 2 жыл бұрын

Very helpful video and easy to understand. Much more precise then other videos on the same subject I have watched, without all the extraneous information. Keep up the great work and videos.

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Glad you liked it! Thanks a lot for the feedback 🙂

@girohead 7 ай бұрын

Spot on, I had assumed this, but others were vague about how to test and replace. I'll look for broken connections, but I think it was often just unseated, from slamming around.

@zhwilson2437 5 ай бұрын

In the past I’ve even thrown them out. Watched your video and immediately went to Amazon for my tool. Thank you! this is the absolute best I've seen yet. I like this method 1000% more because it's actually tracking the problem and not pulling every bulb and just guessing where the issue is at. the divide and conquere method is the tried and true way to break a problem like this down. Ordering my voltage detector tonight!

@lyonanddebanderson4418 Жыл бұрын

dang, thank you-been throwing out half strings for years. If it works out we'll donate. great simple to understand video.

@MikeFarris1 Жыл бұрын

😱 I have never thought of this, I have the exact same tool. I tossed strands because I hate pulling out each bulb to test. Thank you for this video.

@bigallis1 Жыл бұрын

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the best turtorial I have ever seen on testing Christmas tree lights! Very much appreciated.

@TheKeymaster316 8 ай бұрын

I don't know how I've read so many posts and watched so many videos and this is the absolute best I've seen yet. I like this method 1000% more because it's actually tracking the problem and not pulling every bulb and just guessing where the issue is at. I've been in cable TV for 24 years and the divide and conquere method is the tried and true way to break a problem like this down. Ordering my voltage detector tonight!

@sarahberrier8215 7 ай бұрын

Every year I try to find a good video on youtube to help me with this problem. This is the best and most helpful I've ever found. Thank you!!

@marylobacz4753 Жыл бұрын

This is awesome! My husband used to spend hours trying to find the defective bulb. Going to invest in one of those noncontact voltage testers!

@otakelblanchemanor0659 2 жыл бұрын

I couldn't tell you how many times I have seen my mom sitting with a box of lights, going thru them one by one changing out the bulbs to find the dead one! Hmmm a Christmas memory for the much future I hope! BUT woohoo I have found the perfect gift for this amazing woman I call Mom! Finally! And for that I thank you!

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

I can certainly relate to that! It can definitely be very time consuming. I am really glad to hear that this was so helpful to you and your mom! I really appreciate the feedback! Thank you.

@sheepdog401 Жыл бұрын

I wish I would have watched this before throwing out a strand of lights and replacing them ! You have given me valuable knowledge. Thank-you.

@andrewschilling3912 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for clearly showing the logical troubleshooting technique to detect bulb and wire failures. I've got my LightKeeper Pro and will apply these principles you demo-ed. Appreciate the tutorial!

@bellarain11 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! You saved me! I had just bought a few brand new set of lights out and just to be safe I tested each one of the strands prior to hanging them on the eve of my house. All worked. BUT, sure enough, the minute I was done hanging all the strands of lights, there was one strand dead smack in the middle that was completely out. Brand new and I tested it??!! 🤷🏼‍♀️ Well, thank God I came across your video because I was about to hop back on the ladder and replace that entire strand with another one. About 4 lights in… I was able to figure out which light bulb was out, put a new one in and VOILÁ!!.. no having to rip any lights down to replace them with a new strand. Thank you for taking the time to share this! Like I said… You’re a complete lifesaver ! 🙏🏼🎄

@Gulfshoreman 2 жыл бұрын

Glad I found your video today. Just what I needed after watching another video with diagrams instead of "hands on" like yours. Much easier than the LED Light Keeper I bought several years ago which requires puncturing the wire insulation (which is sometimes nearly impossible). Used my inductive test probe to check for voltage on both sides of the socket and the Light Keeper to verify the LED is good. Troubleshooting the unlit section led me to 2 bad LEDs (one with a resistor with a broken lead) and a bad socket. For those that may not know, when testing LED bulbs there is a positive and negative lead. If it does not work one way, switch your tester on the lead. Thanks for the video!

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

I am really glad to hear that you found the video helpful James! Thanks a lot for all of the feedback and tip!

@ralpho58 Жыл бұрын

Amazing. I have thrown out too many strands of Christmas lights due to the frustration of trying to find the bad bulb. Thanks for this straight forward video.

@larrygreenwood6923 Жыл бұрын

me too

@drheili 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. So obvious, yet I missed it for years. Just use the same non-contact tester I've been using for years. No more over-priced and awkward to use string testers. This is simplicity at it's best.

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@Samiam173 7 ай бұрын

It works without a detector as well. I tried what you said without using a detector. I started at the first bulb that was out ...no cigar, the second bulb was a charm. Back in business. THANK YOU!!!!!

@joeshmoe7789 Жыл бұрын

Just ordered the tester. Now I can't wait for the my lights to go out!

@HowToHomeDIY Жыл бұрын

😂

@rotl9915 Жыл бұрын

this has to be the best instructional video on youtube. thank you for your efforts.

@larryborshard7824 7 ай бұрын

Love your videos, Adam, always great. Great explanation about polarity and switching the plug around if needed before starting this process. Tried my Klein NCVT-2 on two 35-light GE Twinkle sets (each bulb twinkles independently) from the 1980s. Worked like a charm on the first string, found one bulb out, replaced it, back up and twinkling. Second string was possessed. Results were inconsistent. Changed my tester batteries, same results. Thought maybe I had a broken wire, or that bulbs were breaking from age while I was testing. Big problem seemed to be broken leads, when I took out a suspect bulb. Had trouble getting the knack for where to put the tester nose on the wire. Finally got to the end and got the string working. Gently moved it around, lights stayed on, so I don't think there's a broken wire. (Yet!) Thanks again!

@cbpaxton00 Жыл бұрын

I have that tool and never thought about using it for Christmas lights. Great idea

@rafb17 Жыл бұрын

Perfect! Very clear and easy to understand! You are a natural teacher!

@HowToHomeDIY Жыл бұрын

Really glad to hear it was helpful. Thanks a lot for the feedback Jim!

@Maverick-px8ir Жыл бұрын

Wow, talk about relieving those Christmas light headaches! Just what I was looking for. Thanks!

@larrygreenwood6923 Жыл бұрын

Amen

@LeeuwSandor 6 ай бұрын

Great Video. I got here after I had replaced the fuses and still did not get the lights to work. Getting a no contact voltage tester tool like you suggested in the video seems a no brainer and a great addition to my tool box. Many Thanks!

@pinkiepromises2014 7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for quickly and clearly explaining how to fix a bad string of Christmas lights - much appreciated!

@nancyh.5950 Жыл бұрын

I wish I had seen your video 2 weeks ago when my pre-lit artificial tree had only half its lights working. It was too much to find the problem so I spent over 4 hours removing the lights. It was a tedious job cutting and unwinding the strands from each branch. This method might have saved me the time and trouble of removing the lights.

@phoenixhvac-r828 8 ай бұрын

Great advise on tracking these opens, also have found if its not the bulb check for disconnected wiring at bulb junctions, very cheaply made.

@gl35 2 жыл бұрын

You made my day. Thanks. I was throwing away whole strands before. Now, I know better.

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Glad you liked it. Thank you for the feedback!

@waltciii3 Жыл бұрын

This is great information! I can only imagine all the salvageable light strands I have binned.

@MikesGarage96 Жыл бұрын

Very helpful! I’ve got that same tester, never thought of using it like this

@MikeBee77 Жыл бұрын

Just amazing, thanks for sharing this, it is frustrating test bulb by bulb, pulling them out.

@about2flip 8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!!! Fixed my lights in a matter of minutes. Luckily I had that tool. 😊

@MWPiczak 6 ай бұрын

Well presented. Not a wasted word. Thank you. Congrats.

@bluzzjazz 2 жыл бұрын

Very helpful thanks, faced with this last week, trying to find the bad one by looking at the bulb.

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

You are welcome! Glad it was helpful! Thanks a lot for the feedback.

@Ralph5151 Жыл бұрын

Thank you, best video I've seen regarding this issue with Christmas lights. You made it easy to locate the bad bulb. Thanks again....

@joshuabower219 2 жыл бұрын

This was very helpful, thank you! Me and me dad set up a 30ft light tree every year and every year half the lights are dead. This will definitely help!

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! You’re welcome! Glad it was helpful. Would like to see what that tree looks like. I built one but not nearly that large. Bet it looks great!

@fredbaker6315 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for a very well explained video dealing with half working strands of lights.

@beltonebrad 2 жыл бұрын

Best explanation and solution I have seen so far on this topic

@ysmuse 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing... It's exactly what I am experiencing: the end half lid up but the first part. Will check it with your approach and see how's going...

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

You are welcome. Good luck on the search!

@darma8030 2 жыл бұрын

I have watched several videos to find out why my pre-lit Christmas tree is giving me fits but I just didn’t get it. You did an amazing job at explaining what is going on!! THANK YOU from the tips of my aching thumbs and ragged fingernails!! (Next time I buy a tree it will be based on how easy the bulbs are to remove!!)

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome! Glad it helped! Give those fingers a break. 😂 Thanks for the feedback.

@tgrigal 7 ай бұрын

Dude!! You rock. This saved my entire outside light setup for Christmas. Thanks and have a great new year!!!

@HowToHomeDIY 7 ай бұрын

You are very welcome! Really glad to hear you liked it! Thanks a lot for the feedback! You have a great new year as well!

@almonchisholm415 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this, going to lower my BP at Christmas time in the future.

@zhwilson2437 5 ай бұрын

我昨天修理有一个灯条有一半不工作，唉，修了我一整天，每个都拉出来搞还不能100%找到坏的那个灯泡，你这个视频教的非常好，我今天晚上马上去买那个秤测电笔. 非常感谢

@Britineeng Жыл бұрын

Your video is the best on this topic! Thank you

@dmitrygear Жыл бұрын

Great tutorial! Just fixed one set of Christmas lights - five to go!

@donaldadiska8100 Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Wish I'd though of that before trashing those lights, but no more. You jusy saved me hunderds next year (since multiple sets go out every year)!

@awgoodrich8 Жыл бұрын

DOOOOOD...this was awesome. I've even put that tested on my AZ wish list for Christmas. Thank you.

@lazrados 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video. Just got 2 sets of 30 feet LED Christmas lights up and running. Thank you very much !!!!!!

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome! Really glad to hear that it helped you! Thanks for the feedback.

@thebulge3396 Жыл бұрын

Great video!! I was just getting ready to give several strands the ol' heave ho when I came across this. Thanks for the great tutorial on this matter. Now I'm off to the hardware store to get the non contact meter.

@joeglassy7821 2 жыл бұрын

Very helpful and clear video for troubleshooting these two common types of Christmas lights, thanks so much for this! I'd love to see a video for diagnosing/fixing the larger 5-watt incandescent solid-color bulb strings (where the bulb screw-in diameter is approx 5/8") that use a single 125V fuse and 2-conductor wiring (not 3 as in your example here) with fixed polarity plugs (e.g. where the neutral plug blade is wider and the 'hot' plug blade is narrower). Thanks again!

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

I will keep that in mind for next Christmas! Glad you liked it. Really appreciate the feedback Joe!

@wernergurtner5312 Жыл бұрын

Yes. Need to see the same video. You mentioned incandescent in your title so was expecting the old 5-watt light bulbs 😢

@stevenandrews6627 2 жыл бұрын

A very informative and helpful post. Especially the information on the non-polarized plug.

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@jenbea4753 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic demonstration. Way easier than trying to use a big volt meter. Will be getting that volt tester by Klien tools. Thanks😁

@charlescahoon3557 Жыл бұрын

Very well explained and demonstrated.

@AkashJinandra 9 ай бұрын

This is the well explained video on lights!

@brngrofdeth 2 жыл бұрын

Perfect! Thank you very much. Love and blessings from Ontario Canada!

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome! Glad you found it helpful. Love and blessing to you too! Stay warm up there!

@shellyjohnson3802 Жыл бұрын

This just helped me get this done so much faster !! Thank you

@tonyhericks182 Жыл бұрын

Finally something that makes perfect sense...i know what Im doing next year if we run into light issues again...

@jnol624 Жыл бұрын

Very helpful! Merry Christmas.

@jimsjacob Жыл бұрын

This was great stuff! Really self evident if you think about it, but I hadn’t I guess…. Broken down like this, the logic can be applied to many projects. I had an LED string that was not working and I did resolve it, but not in the smart manner that is outlined here. I have all the tools you used, less the common sense! 😅

@Blaydrnnnr Жыл бұрын

Good video, well explained for those who didnt know how light strings work. I already knew how to detect if a bulb is bad if half the string is out, but more frequently these days, my strands are completely out, OR, the lights will glow so very faintly, that they are almost undetectable. In the case of them still having power to the next plug end, but not lighting, glowing very very faintly, I have never been able to figure out what was wrong, maybe something with the rectifier? But on LED srands WITH replaceable bulbs, and the entire strand out, I'm not sure whats going on here. My "no touch" voltage detector shows power the entire length?

@jackbenimble4067 7 ай бұрын

Thanks Adam. Even though this video is older the info stands and its easy to fix them now. You and the family have a Blessed and Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

@HowToHomeDIY 7 ай бұрын

You are very welcome! Really glad to hear you found it as helpful as I have. Thanks a lot for the feedback Jack! Hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year as well! God bless and take care!

@SLCCUlearning Жыл бұрын

Super helpful how-to! Quick, easy to follow, with enough detail to understand what's happening and be able to do yourself. Thank you so much for posting!

@HowToHomeDIY Жыл бұрын

You are very welcome! I am really glad to hear it was so helpful. Thank you very much for the feedback and the Super Thanks!

@omareugenio1928 8 ай бұрын

It’s a big help buddy…thanks and more power to you!!!

@BA-pg4od 7 ай бұрын

Great video. I learned something new today. Thanks.

@allermenchenaufder 9 ай бұрын

Very informative ! Thank you, saved this Halloween by repairing favorite lights.

@davejohnson6738 7 ай бұрын

Nice , I will follow your advice to check charismas light this year.

@JJ-np1ig Жыл бұрын

Dude!! Fantastic! Thank you. Simple, easy directions with a basic electrical tool. Great job and thanks again! :-)

@Q..J.. Жыл бұрын

Very informative - thank you! I need to get one of those testers!

@keithpatterson3477 7 ай бұрын

Very good video well explained thank you

@frankbell4043 7 ай бұрын

Exceptional video! I had been testing using a similar tester, but I had obviously not been doing something right. Thank you!

@HowToHomeDIY 7 ай бұрын

You are very welcome! Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback Frank!

@bttle61 Жыл бұрын

It works, Great video! easy to understand and follow. Thanks!!!

@TheScottCard Жыл бұрын

great video thanks i'm going to check my burnt out section now!

@ChristopherDillman 7 ай бұрын

5:08 - Fascinating. Glad I found this vid. Going to add that tool to my toolkit!

@goinggranny 7 ай бұрын

I’m in love!❤😂😂 thank you so much!! It worked!!

@matthewjcbrooks Жыл бұрын

Very informative and helpful. Thanks!

@Chimboica2011 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much mate, you bright my day, God bless you.

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome. Glad it was helpful. God bless you as well!

@stefanennest7982 Жыл бұрын

Absolutely brilliant!!😎🙏🙏👍👍

@airmojo Жыл бұрын

Putting away the Christmas stuff, and had a light strand do this where only half was lit... I told my wife I might need a KZfaq video to help figure this out without taking all day... HAH ! So here I am, and tomorrow I will be going to Home Depot to buy that Non-Contact Voltage tester... the 12v to 1000v model would be ideal for my O-gauge model train layout too ! Thank you for the excellent video... Happy New Year !

@dlipp23 7 ай бұрын

Great explanation and video, going to try it now. Thanks 🙏🏼

@HowToHomeDIY 7 ай бұрын

You are very welcome! Really glad to hear you liked it! Thanks a lot for the feedback!

@user-dc3sv4vs9x Жыл бұрын

I have been seeking this info for a long time. thanks.

@erocj932 2 ай бұрын

Thanks man. Good stuff. Easy learning.

@curiosity2314 Жыл бұрын

Very very very good! Not nuclear science but I never thought about checking the lights from this angle.

@dwaynewood1795 Жыл бұрын

Excellent video you really did a great job explaining all content.

@daverichardson8563 2 жыл бұрын

This was good. You did a good job. Thank you for your help.

@HowToHomeDIY 2 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome. I am glad to hear it was helpful for you. Thank you for the feedback! 👍

@Rdenham1976 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the information this video is much better than most on the sibject. I still prefer to buy high quality lights instead of working on broken big box store brand strings & nets. I used to waste time trying to fix lights knowing all the technical reasons why they failed when it was clear I could have spent that time at a job & earned enough to buy new lights I stoped the madness of repairing cheap lights. In some cases were I can't get a type from a high quality source I buy new units & swap the bad ones out for the good & return them as defective.