# Why are my lights flickering? Causes and when it’s dangerous 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) 4. Why are my lights flickering? Causes and when it’s dangerous **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/) - [Why are my lights flickering? Causes and when it’s dangerous](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/why-are-my-lights-flickering/) - [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/) Flickering lights can come from the bulb, a dimmer, a loose connection or a street fault; crackling or a burning smell is an emergency. 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. Is it one light, one room or the whole house? 2. Why do mismatched bulbs and dimmers cause flicker? 3. What can cause flicker inside the home? 4. When is flickering dangerous? 5. What to note for the electrician or network provider 6. Frequently asked questions Flickering lights can have simple causes, such as a bulb and dimmer that do not suit each other, or more serious ones, such as a loose connection in a fitting or in the wiring. If the whole house or street flickers, the cause may be the electricity network. Crackling, buzzing or a burning smell is an emergency. ## Is it one light, one room or the whole house? This is the most useful thing to work out, because it points to where the problem is. - **One light:** the cause is usually the bulb, the fitting it sits in, or a dimmer or switch that controls it. - **One room or area:** the cause may be a shared circuit or a connection somewhere along it. - **The whole house:** the cause may be inside the home’s main wiring or connection to the street. - **Neighbours too:** the cause is more likely to be on the network, not in your home. You can work this out by watching and noting, without touching anything. If neighbours are affected as well, report it to your network provider’s faults line. ## Why do mismatched bulbs and dimmers cause flicker? Many LED lamps behave differently from the older bulbs they replaced. A dimmer made for old-style bulbs may not control an LED smoothly, which can cause flicker or buzzing. The same can happen when LED lamps are used with an older transformer. This is explained more in our article on LED downlights. Changing a dimmer, transformer or fitting is electrical work, and in Queensland it must be done by a licensed electrician. Do not try to fix it yourself, even if the problem looks small. Crackling, buzzing, heat, sparks or a burning smell If you see sparks or smoke, or smell burning, leave the building with everyone in it, including children and pets, and call 000. If lights flicker together with crackling, buzzing, a warm or discoloured fitting or switch, or a smell you cannot place, stay away from that area, do not touch the fitting, switch or anything wet nearby, and call a licensed electrician urgently. This can point to a loose or damaged connection, which can overheat. ## What can cause flicker inside the home? In general terms, the common causes are: - a lamp that does not suit the dimmer, transformer or fitting - a worn or loose connection inside a light fitting, switch or power point - a loose connection along the circuit wiring - a large appliance starting up on the same circuit, which can briefly pull voltage down - an issue with the main connection to the street Only a licensed electrician can find which of these it is. Finding it involves testing and opening up wiring, which should never be done by a householder. ## When is flickering dangerous? Occasional, brief flicker that affects one light and has no sound, heat or smell is usually less urgent, but it should still be looked at if it keeps happening. Flicker that is getting worse, spreads to other lights, comes with other signs or happens along with a breaker or safety switch tripping should be checked promptly. ## What to note for the electrician or network provider 1. Which lights are affected — Write down which rooms and lights flicker, and whether neighbours are affected too. 2. When it happens — Note the times and whether it happens when a particular appliance, such as an air conditioner, starts. 3. What it looks and sounds like — Describe the flicker (fast, slow, dimming), and any buzzing, crackling or smell. 4. Dimmers and lamp types — Note whether the affected lights are on a dimmer and what kind of lamps they use, as shown on the packaging or in your records. Do not remove anything to find out. 5. Contact the right person — Call your network provider’s faults line if the street is affected, or a licensed electrician for problems inside the home. ## Frequently asked questions - Flicker is easier to notice after dark, and a pattern by time of day can help someone work out the cause. Note the times it happens, and tell the network provider if neighbours see it too. - Yes. LED lamps can flicker or buzz if they are not compatible with a dimmer or an older transformer. A licensed electrician can tell you which part needs attention. - It can be, if the cause is a loose or damaged connection that is overheating. Crackling, heat or a burning smell alongside flicker is a reason to keep away and call urgently. - Call your network provider's faults line and report it. If it is only your home, contact 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 do my lights dim when the air conditioner starts?A brief dip when a big appliance starts can happen, but dimming that is getting worse, lasts or comes with other signs needs a licensed electrician.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/lights-dim-when-aircon-starts/) - [ElectricalWhy do my LED downlights flicker or buzz?LED downlights usually flicker or buzz because the lamp, transformer, driver or dimmer do not suit each other; a licensed electrician can sort it out.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/led-downlights-flickering/) - [ElectricalBurning smell or hot power point: what to do right nowFor a burning smell, smoke, sparks or a hot power point, keep away; call 000 for fire or sparks and a licensed electrician urgently otherwise.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [ElectricalDoes my house need rewiring? Signs and what to doAge alone does not decide it; a licensed electrician's inspection does, and warning signs include frequent tripping, flickering and burning smells.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/does-my-house-need-rewiring/) ## 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. Is it one light, one room or the whole house? 2. Why do mismatched bulbs and dimmers cause flicker? 3. What can cause flicker inside the home? 4. When is flickering dangerous? 5. What to note for the electrician or network provider 6. 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. 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