# Lights work but power points don’t: what’s going on? 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) 4. Lights work but power points don’t: what’s going on? **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) - [Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do](https://arlite.co/support/solar/hail-storm-damaged-solar-panels-what-to-do/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [Lights work but power points don’t: what’s going on?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/power-points-not-working-lights-work/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why is there no hot water? Electrical faults explained](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/no-hot-water-electrical-checks/) [Costs and finance](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/) - [How does interest-free finance work for home energy upgrades?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/interest-free-finance-home-energy-upgrades/) - [What affects the cost of a home battery in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/what-affects-home-battery-cost-brisbane/) - [Can I get compensation for a power outage in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/power-outage-compensation-energex/) - [How much does an electrician cost per hour in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/electrician-cost-brisbane/) - [What affects switchboard upgrade cost?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/switchboard-upgrade-cost/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) Lights and power points sit on separate circuits, so one can fail alone; note what is affected and call a licensed electrician. By Aaron Midgley, Arlite Energy Last reviewed 30 October 2026 4 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. Why can lights work when power points don’t? 2. What might be behind it? 3. Why not look inside the power point or switchboard? 4. Could it be the whole street? 5. What happens when you call a licensed electrician 6. How urgent is it? 7. Frequently asked questions Lights and power points are normally on separate circuits, so one can fail while the other keeps working. Common causes include a protective device that has operated, a faulty appliance, or a wiring or connection fault. Checking switchboards and power points is licensed work, so note what is affected and call a licensed electrician. ## Why can lights work when power points don’t? Homes are wired in several circuits. Lighting usually has its own circuits, and power points are on others, often split by area. Each circuit has its own protection at the switchboard. A problem on one circuit does not necessarily affect the others, which is why part of a house can lose power while the rest carries on. ## What might be behind it? - **A protective device has operated.** A circuit breaker or safety switch has cut the power to the power point circuit, often because of an overload or a fault. - **A faulty appliance.** An appliance may have caused the problem that made the protection operate. - **A loose or failed connection.** A connection in the wiring, at a power point or in the roof space may have come loose or failed. - **Damaged wiring.** Water, age, heat, pests or building work can damage cables. From outside the walls there is no reliable way to tell these apart, and several are safety issues in their own right. Stop and call if you notice any of these A burning smell, a power point that is warm, hot or discoloured, buzzing or crackling, scorch marks, smoke or sparks. If there is smoke, fire, sparks or anyone has had a shock, leave the building, keep children and pets with you, and call 000. Otherwise stay away from the affected power points and call a licensed electrician urgently. ## Why not look inside the power point or switchboard? Because it involves live wiring. Diagnosing and repairing these faults is electrical work, and in Queensland it must be done by a licensed electrician. The Electrical Safety Office Queensland is the regulator. Replacing a power point also counts as electrical work, even though it can look simple. You can read the regulator’s guidance at [electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/ddiy](https://electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/ddiy). ## Could it be the whole street? If lights and power points are both affected, or neighbours have lost power, contact your network provider’s faults line. If only some power points have failed and your lights work, it is most likely a problem in your home. What you can safely check Without touching anything inside the walls or switchboard, write down which power points and rooms have no power, which still work, and when it began. Note anything that happened beforehand, such as a storm, an appliance fault or building work. Take a photo of the switchboard from a distance without opening any cover. ## What happens when you call a licensed electrician 1. You describe the pattern — Tell them which power points are affected, whether lights are working and when it started. 2. They test the circuit — The electrician checks the circuit, protective devices and connections with the right test equipment. 3. They repair and explain — They fix the fault, explain what caused it and tell you if anything else needs attention. Ask for documentation for the work. ## How urgent is it? If there are no warning signs such as smells, heat or sparks, it is usually not an emergency, but it should not wait long. A fault that cut off one circuit could also be the early stage of something that gets worse. Depending on what is on the affected circuit, such as a fridge, medical equipment or a home office, you may want a quick visit. Tell the electrician what depends on those power points so they can prioritise sensibly. ## Frequently asked questions - Power points are often on circuits that serve particular areas, so a fault on that circuit affects only that area. - Yes. A faulty appliance can cause a protective device to operate, which cuts power to its circuit. A licensed electrician can confirm. - It can be, particularly if there is a loose connection, heat or a burning smell. If you notice any of those, treat it as urgent. - No. In Queensland, replacing a power point is electrical work that must be done by a licensed electrician. [Learn about Electrical](https://arlite.co/services/electrical/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [ElectricalWhy does my circuit breaker keep tripping?A breaker keeps tripping when a circuit is overloaded, shorted or leaking, or the breaker is worn; a licensed electrician should find which.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [ElectricalDo power points expire, and when should they be replaced?Power points have no fixed expiry date but they wear out; scorch marks, cracks, loose plugs or buzzing mean a licensed electrician should look at them.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/do-power-points-wear-out/) - [ElectricalWhy is my house the only one without power?If neighbours still have power, the fault may be in your home's own electrical installation; check the outage map and call a licensed electrician.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/only-my-house-no-power/) - [ElectricalDo I need a switchboard upgrade?Old fuses, frequent tripping, burn marks, no safety switches or new solar, EV or air conditioning loads are reasons to ask about an upgrade.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/do-i-need-a-switchboard-upgrade/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. Why can lights work when power points don’t? 2. What might be behind it? 3. Why not look inside the power point or switchboard? 4. Could it be the whole street? 5. What happens when you call a licensed electrician 6. How urgent is it? 7. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Page: https://arlite.co/support/electrical/power-points-not-working-lights-work/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).