How to quickly find bad Christmas light bulbs

With Christmas around the corner, many of you are getting out the lights and decorations. Many Christmas string lights are wired in series, so if one bulb burns out the rest of the lights in the string will not work. Here is a quick way to find the bulb that needs replaced and save yourself a lot of time finding the bulb.
Get the Tester at amzn.to/3cs8YFf
Need Replacement bulbs? amzn.to/3PKCEvH

[@gmjsimmons]

Some people are complaining about the length of the video. As for me, thanks, I needed the explanation. I now know more about testing Christmas tree lights than I had learned in 67 prior years of life. Plus, I love to watch someone who actually knows what he is doing. Merry Christmas, Brother, Dr. G

[@moniquerapozo7665]

Thanks for the video! I love when someone thoroughly explains how to perform/complete a task.

[@ESRepair]

You're Welcome.

[@natalieallen3623]

monique rapozo ''"

[@leeheft5595]

A know many are complaining, but I found it useful, so thank you. I was surprised that when you find the bulb not lighting, the problem is the previous bulb! Thanks and Merry Christmas.

[@tomalcolm]

Thanks buddy! You saved my mariage. My plug is polarized, but still comes with two fuses. That means I got a backup to replace the burnt one. Merry Christmas everybody.

[@sinistersparky9657]

Great video! As a Journeyman Electrician I have a suggestion: at 8:15, instead of suggesting a random place to start, proceed from the end to the middle of the string and test there (since you've already tested the first and last bulbs). This will divide the problem in half and give you a direction in which to proceed - it will save a lot of time on fixing long strings of lights (and any long circuit in general) ☺

[@jacobh5346]

Haha, that’s a very common “search algorithm” in the world of computer science, great point!

[@bobs4103]

So many critics? Bottom line: follow his instructions and you can easily fix your lights. Before watching this video, I struggled, unsuccessfully for an hour, to fix my pre-lit Christmas tree lights. After watching this video I fixed them in 5 minutes! Just to add a couple details; the tester is called a non-contact voltage tester. It detects voltage in the line (hot) side of the circuit. The bulbs are only connected to one side of the circuit, the other side is a single wire for the return path to complete the circuit. So, when the tester shows voltage at the end of the string with no lights lit, it means the bulbs are connected to the return path instead of the hot. So, for the tester to work, the bulbs need to be on the hot side, that's why he reverses the plug. But, you don't need to understand any of this, just follow his instructions. His simplicity is genius.

[@cordialcortex3841]

Ditto Bob! If my apprentices started wining like that, I'd send them home to their momma! It's like the master who I broke in under said: you can't learn with an open mouth.

[@Shane651001]

Bob I couldn't agree more. Good God if you dont have something nice to say just go on to the next video. If they already knew then why are they searching anyway. I love dogs and hate most people

[@kevin0007]

Thanks for the video. Although it's a bit long and wordy, you're the first one to show the whole process. I bought a christmas light tester and it seemed of litttle help. The couple extra steps you showed should make this a successful effort. Thanks again.

[@69CamaroSS]

The REAL pain in the ass is a pre-lit TREE that quits working! ☹️😡👎

[@Harrypotter69]

Excellent video !!!!! Bought one of the testers you used from Lowes, followed your video step by step and found the burnt out bulb. Now my pre lit tree is fully lit again, thank you so much

[@jeevankodiyan620]

What was the tester called ?

[@awesomekids1741]

Non-Contact Voltage Tester, harbor freight has one for less than $6

[@DOLRED]

I was about to throw out a 140 bulb set which has 4 sections (4 colors X 35 bulbs each) and uses 3.5V Bulbs. It is from 1995. When I saw you using the pencil voltage tester--I grabbed mine. Never used it on these sets before and it does test low voltage as well. I thought the set was shot on 2 color sections. Used the tester and realized voltage was active on all ends of the set, so the bulbs had to be bad and a couple of shunts which kill all the bulbs in one section. Checked all the bulbs and replaced bad ones and set works now. The set has a "Combination light show control" and is very nice for viewing. I have four of them and the bulbs are hard to get because they have to be "Super Brite" ones. Thanks.

[@markgriegojewelry]

Very informative , I liked that you repeated and explained slowly. Working with electricity is dangerous, some lousy people want to rush through everything they do in life, (hopefully they will get zapped with 120, lol). You MrFixit, keep up the good work my friend..

[@Eclipce051]

haha, its 3 amps they will feel it :D

[@BrianNJ2Orlando]

THANK YOU!!! I started checking bulbs one by one. Decided to check KZbin. Saw your video first. You reminded me about the fuse in the plug. Checked that and it was bad. Changed it and I'm done! God bless you! Merry Christmas!

[@1hjehje]

I don't have a broken string to try this out on yet but I really appreciate the information that you have provided. The price of regular LED lights isn't too bad but lawn ornaments with LED bulbs can be quite expensive so it is good to be able to fix, rather than replace them. Thank you for the video!

[@Eva-hy7rx]

You can't win. If you explain in great detail "it's toooooooo long, you talk tooooooo muuuuuuuch." But if you get straight to the point, it's too complicated and you got a bunch of idiots asking questions about all the little miniscule details in the comments. 💀 KZbin has this cool little feature called "fast-forward" maybe use it.

[@are2dee233]

Three years ago I realized that I was spending more time fixing those old incandescent light strings than I was hanging the lights !! 🤔🤔🤔🤔 I had maybe a dozen strings and I even had one of those "Impossible to repair" reindeer displays. I collected the lot and gave them all to the Well Good will store. I then went to Wally World and bought a boat load of LED style light strings. After three years of of usage, I have YET to have to repair a single one of them !! With all their color and automatic lighting options, they are a true Christmas Joy.

[@mjcambron]

Helpful, but this video could have been 3 minutes long instead off 12.

[@DustinianCamburides]

Thank you, this is great. I watched a similar video that showed using a voltage detector, but when I thought I replaced the "bad bulb," it didn't work. The explanation about the non-polarized plugs and turning the plug around fixed my problem! Thank you for the complete explanation and tip about starting with the last bulb!

[@louf7178]

11:34 for summary. I never thought of using a voltage detector for this. Polarity is key (6:32) for the previous-bulb method based on plug-side being first. Otherwise voltage will not be present at the open-filament bulb, and this point will be the one to change, not the previous one. It's a matter of understanding direction and voltage present. There's more than one way to skin a cat, and he established the one method. ("Current" should not be said; "Voltage present", as earlier stated, is correct - I know you know this.) I also recommend, on a new set, to remove each bulb and apply dielectric grease (LOL); it should be helpful for preventing bad contacts, although.

[@markclifford6623]

thank you for taking the time to show how to fix Christmas lights.

[@gatesmw50]

The tester is a good idea. Otherwise in 22 years of CB radio ,Motorola / GE two way radio repair experience have taught me its almost NEVER the fuse.

[@drkastenbrot]

gatesmw50 and if it is, it blew for a reason

[@muzzzrox]

Thank you Mr Fix It! You explaining the whole flipping the plug and it shows which fuse is good or bad is much appreciated. Can't believe no ones ever mentioned it in past. Let the lighting festivities begin! Thank you and Merry Christmas!

[@jcmarinq]

Thanks for the thorough explanation. Very professional. Disregard the geniuses who go mad for you not going to "the point" right away. They could just skip whatever section they already feel familiar with. Not everyone is knowledgeable about basic electronic.

[@cordialcortex3841]

Nice Video Mr. Fix It. Something I have told my apprentices through the years is: "Wide is White" to explain about the polarization when wiring the NEMA 5-15 and 5-20 receptacles. I have found it faster and more reliable than looking for the silver and brass colored screws.

[@bobbydyt]

Bottom line, in spite of the negative comments, is I was able to "fix" my stash of Christmas light sets gone bad because of this video. Key take away for me from this video is the use of NCVT (Non Contact Voltage Tester). Thanks ESRepair !

[@fpvrcstuff]

Thanks For Taking The Time to help us find a bad bulb in a set of Christmas lights , it can be very frustrating and hard on the fingers pulling out a hundred lights only to find out it was the last bulb on the string . Hope you get over your cold soon .Merry Christmas

[@benca6151]

The 60 pound box of christmas lights is calling my name. I just bought them and some work and some don't. Thank you

[@ericennenga7218]

Was helpful, thank you. I agree with the general sentiment that you could have delivered the same help in %25 of the time. Thanks in any event.

[@sixchiensblancs]

That is why I speeded him up x2... 😉

[@oxcart19]

You did a good job explaining this, so I can understand how the string of lights works. I had no idea there were fuses inside the plug! Good demonstration, thank you for posting this video.

[@regkarn1]

Pulled out my lights and half of the strings didn't work. This helped a lot. Great job.

[@mrbreeze7695]

Thanks Mr. FixIt, usually don't comment, but you saved me $30 bucks! Happy Holidays!

[@pw8190]

One of the best DIY videos I’ve ever watched! Thanks for the tips!

[@jdarnell123]

Great video and thanks for your time in making it as well as HOW you did it, (slow, clearly and methodically). I'm an electrical engineer and I'm unsure why there were negative responses to this. Keep making great videos and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[@calypzo69]

Thank you so much. Since my accident everything is extra hard to do and this was awesome. Again, gracias!

[@1ds2ds3ds]

Yet another year you saved our christmas.. Last year was house lights, this year was the christmas tree.

[@scottryals5887]

There is absolutely nothing quick about a 12 minute video!!!!!!

[@ESRepair]

Where did it says it was suppose to be Quick?

[@hugonome8308]

Uh. In the title. "How to quickly find bad Christmas light bulbs". See how it says "quickly" there? Or maybe in the third sentence of the description: "Here is a quick way". See how it says "quick" there?

[@ESRepair]

It is a quick way. Sorry I don't stand up to your standards. Too short and you whine cause I left something out, too long and you whine because you already knew how to resolve the problem. The video wasn't meant for the Know-it-alls". KZbin has no filter for know-it-alls.

[@scottryals5887]

Talk about Whining! Look, here is some constructive criticism, maybe start the video with an explanation of the skill level that it represents or put it in the title. "A quick an easy way to fix Christmas lights for people who know nothing about them or how they work" The video itself is very informative and helpful but not for someone who was looking for your quick fix. Those of us who are capable would then realize that this video is not for us. Have a Merry Christmas. Oh, I guess I should indicate whether or not your tip worked for me, it did't.

[@lmdetect]

+ESRepair Please rename video: Christmas Light Fix, Not For Sissy, Crybaby, Whiney Ass Fucktards. Just trying to help. Good day sirs.

[@realstonekicker4371]

One of the best demos on repairing Xmas lights. Thanks and Merry Xmas.

[@robloxmusiccodes1014]

If you dont have the device to check the fuses, plug in the bad lights and plug in good lights over them, If the good lights work, your fuse is good

[@sixchiensblancs]

Smart!😊

[@royandergoogle3012]

you don't have to check every light just go half way along if there's power go another half way, If there's no power go back half way, also the tester I used was very sensitive and you need to change the technique for twisted wires. but thanx lighting the way.

[@PamChvotkin]

This is a great video with a helpful explanation and it saved my lights! - I just bought a voltage tester, definitely an inexpensive but very useful tool to have in a house! Thank you!

[@miningcamper]

"Reverse the plug in the outlet"- THAT"S the trick I needed to know. Many thanks!

[@9474Larry]

Thank you I’ve spent way more time trying to fix these rascals than there worth with no success, but the next week I’m I’ll know.

[@ritvand8592]

Good video. It explained everything thoroughly and clearly right through without leaving anything out. I just hard copied almost everything you said into print and threw the paper in the bin with the Christmas lights.

[@ValEGwangi]

New drinking game; take a shot everytime he says "Now". You'll have alcohol poisoning by the half-way point. JK! Very helpful video, thanks for posting.

[@PrincessAllie]

I followed your steps. The bulb on the end (which isn't really the end since the end is a female plug to hook another string up) lights up either way. So I changed that bulb and the string still doesn't work. I checked the bulbs all the way down. The beginning ones indicated that current it going to it. The ending ones all indicate current is going to them, but there's a few in the middle that don't. And a few that are iffy, like there's current, but not much I guess? I notice that mine has three cords while yours has two. I just hate that I bought a $10 device to fix a $5 string of lights lol

[@luvone8012]

Thank you! I learned a lot & appreciate your time to explain in detail. Not everyone has the patience to teach thus learn.

[@andremerced8291]

very helpful, thank you. worked on most of my lights but it gets much more difficult when your light string is almost a mile long and has like ten different burn out sections.

[@jmo13322]

in the text you took showing this useful tip...I just went out and bought new lights!

[@juanabreu5127]

Mr . Fixit, thanks for your video. your method is quicker tan mine, i used to test a bulb at a time with a continuity checker that contains a 3V bulb and a 4.5V battery. Both bulbs glow when the tested bulb is good. Merry Chritmas.

[@clydesight]

Great video, informative and very thorough! I have always wanted to know an easy fix for finding and replacing those bulbs. When you have a string of 50, swapping out bulbs (the old fashioned way) gets tiresome very quickly. I also appreciate how you covered all the bases for safety. I knew that these strings have fuses, but I never knew why there were two of them! great explanation. Thanks for posting it!

[@Eenea]

Thank you, saving me time trying to find that one bulb.

[@NauticalMoon]

So informative! I learned so much & it will help me with all my Christmas light strands! Thank you so much!!

[@dannyrusso8279]

Before viewing, I though this would be another useless "how to". Man, was I wrong. Great video, and I will run out and get one of those voltage testers. I have one for house mains circuit, but not one of those pencil type testers. Too bad we just went over the bad strings on our Christmas tree, with working lights. Next year I'll find the culprit, and not buy a new tree as I had planned.

[@jacksherwood495]

Very good technique thank you. The only suggestion I have is to cut the explanation in half

[@twomonkeysayoyo]

Hey they had a recall on that tester a couple years ago. Make sure yours isn't part of the recall. Thanks for the video!

[@violettea5957]

Really appreciate your video advice! I'm off to buy a voltage tester now.

[@monti409]

Should have seen this video before throwing a 600 xmas light string away. thanks for the vid

[@patrickeo]

Well done my friend. Just fixed a Xmas garland that hangs on my front door and it was very easy. Had the tester in a kit and never used it until now. Loving it man!

[@biznetwoman]

Excellent and precise instructions! Just what I needed. Thanks!

[@brucewilliams6292]

Thanks for the info. This is a good diagnostic procedure. Like other commenters have said, the video is long but the info is well worth the view. Thank you and merry Christmas (or is it too early for that ;) ).

[@ESRepair]

I know. Thanks. I just wanted to make sure I covered everything.. Merry Christmas.

[@IAQJosh]

Super helpful! I figured there was an easy way to isolate the bad bulb and you just confirmed this. Thanks!

[@etiennebreaux8623]

Thank you for the great information! I wish you could have told us this 30 years ago 😉. How about a tutorial to untangle the dang things

[@abrahamponce1502]

Étienne Breaux scissor s

[@sixchiensblancs]

@@abrahamponce1502 😂😂😂

[@Jorge-sp9yk]

Thank you Mr. Fix-it, you just saved me lots of time.

[@sh-df1bb]

Thank you kind sir for sharing these tips You have saved me So Much Aggravation Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to you and your family

[@hayjud5123]

Thank you for such a demonstration easy to understand and follow. Great presentation 🤓👍🏻 Happy and Blessed Holidays to you and your loved ones 🙌🌈🌟🎄🎆🎊

[@jaime7822]

He must be from the south...seems like he's a nice guy and good at letting kids know how to check bulbs, but I'm an adult and needed simple and straight to the point directions! Either way at least now I know and I do appreciate it. So thanks for the info

[@shawshank7618]

Wow never new that trick fantastic job thanks

[@guitarfrosty]

2 wire strands are simple. most strands now are 3 wire. How do you detect a bad bulb in a 3 wire strand??????

[@davetheitguy4516]

I believe you are talking about the lights like what I have where there's a controller that allows "movement" among the different light colors (or bulbs if it's a single-color strand.) In that case, the procedure will still work. What you have though is three separate circuits. What you have to do is start at the beginning of the strand and count out in threes. Example: The first bulb on the strand is on the same circuit as the 4th bulb, 7th bulb, 10th bulb, and so on. You see the pattern developing. Bulb #2 matches with bulbs 5, 8, 11, and so on. Bulb #3 matches with bulbs 6, 9, 12, etc. So, when you get to the bulb without current, count backwards on the strand by three bulbs and that should be your bad bulb. A visual representation might be helpful: Three "strands" of lights. A, B, and C. When you test, the order of the bulbs will go: A1 - B1 - C1 - A2 - B2 - C2 - A3 - B3 - C3 - A4 - B4 - C4. If bulb A4 doesn't have current, go back and change the bulb in socket A3.

[@thepracticalmagicoffrugall3017]

So you never want your last bulb to buzz?! Thanks for this awesome video. I just ordered myself a little pen voltage meter. I use Christmas lights all year around and I feel terrible throwing them out considering the state of the environment right now and I look forward to being able to reuse them for a long long time to come.

[@margaretmurray54]

Such a wonderful bit of knowledge, thank you so much!!

[@bridietimbers1747]

Thank you, very helpful!

[@midnightblue117]

One of the easiest and to the point videos.Thank you!!!

[@a.ced.2052]

Yes the video is long but if that was a problem you shouldn't have clicked on it if it was a problem to begin with.. How many informative videos have you made??? Some people are just plain evil.... Good Job my friend U definanitly thought me something today... On my way to hardware store to buy a tester😎

[@scottlawder7617]

Better than a multi-meter. Thank you.

[@cornishhome5272]

Thanks, this was a great explanation. I hope you did one on LED lights too as I decided to switch to that type.

[@CharlesCarlin]

Good Job - Complete and Easy to understand. Best of the few I watched. Thanks

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

That power strip is a receptacle, the light set has the plug.

[@maureendelgrosso9907]

thank you going to try that. We got a tree from Treetopia and it does't work. Wow even on clearance it was $300. But the lights are a mess. Trying your method.

[@diannenaworensky6698]

Just wondering, Did you fix it???? ✌🏻❤

[@anicheintime72]

Is it bad if you just removed the bad portions and then splice the good ones together. Asking for a friend that did this and it worked. 😉

[@Micstewful]

Time is money! If you make $20/hr and it takes 2 hours to go through this process.. that's $40. A string of new lights is $3-$15 maybe. It takes 2 minutes to splice wire. If you need more lights, go by another string! To some people, they have all day to find the bulb, and that's perfectly fine. Others don't have time, but have more money. If splicing the wire saved your friend time or... let's be honest, mental health... then it was worth the splice. 🤣

[@MeMiriamm]

Wonderful, now all I have to do is find a tester. I also have the icicles that have multiple lights running down the large icicle. Hope you have a video for that as well? Thank you

[@tricialperkins]

thank you so much!!! We used this, and I was so happy it worked!!!

[@WeedPatch71]

Awesome video!! Thank you for the tip Bud! I will def try this when we have our light issues!!

[@MrNELO55]

Worked Great. Saved a long set of lights. Thank you!!!

[@seewall11]

WOW that was so quick! For the amount of time you spent fixing it I could of went to the store and got a new set for 5 bucks. FAIL!

[@tudocervera3764]

great vid sir,,, Merry Christmas... my house looks extremely nice now...

[@edwardlunn6975]

Good , clear and concise video.

[@phillysub5115]

Good job in thoroughly explaining the process.

[@capoman1]

My voltage detector was WY TOO SENSITIVE for this tasks. My detector goes off if I get near the christmas tree.

[@SThompsonRAMM_1203]

Great video! I learned a lot about polarity and more. Well explained, thank you!

[@rjb6327]

Try this on a Christmas lawn ornament like a rain deer. Bet you can't find the "last bulb".

[@korzym]

Are those the lights you have? Did you have to do anything special to fix them? I have a lawn ornament as well

[@covertops.]

LOL!

[@juniormoreno8253]

My current struggle

[@tomlenehan7788]

Merry Christmas Mr. Fixit! Thank you. I can use this to fix an old but beloved Star Trek ornament set.

[@tomlenehan7788]

It Worked! It was the Borg. I opened that up and found a loose cold solder joint. Mr. Fixit, you've made a 60 year old kid very happy this Christmas.

[@strenghkey8]

Thanks a bunch for your help!! Saved me loads of frustration and time

[@spaceedementia]

Thanks! Now i just need a voltage detector :)

[@artschulte1897]

Thank you for the information

[@nonyabrajano1402]

Excellent presentation. Now I know. Thanks.

[@allanadam4553]

Show us how to find it on a 300 bulb net light, not so easy , you can test for power and get false readings everywhere since you have no clue how the net was wired. I have also found that what you would think is the last bulb in a net isn’t always the case

[@rickloop8657]

you have to understand how the lights work before you can fix them, so the people who say that there is to much talk probably already know how the lights work and there just trolling. I say the best way to fix lights is to buy new ones at less than $5.. per set.

[@roymg]

Some trees have lights built in....would be hard to replace a string...get the tester.

[@janicelamb9911]

Rick Loop y

[@evee3102]

Rick Loop A frickin men

[@shaunm1475]

Thanks for the video. I will not have to throw away led lights anymore.

[@mavascott5670]

Thank you. No more guessing game for me

[@10bigrob10]

Worked like a charm. Thanks for going over the fuses as well as the rest of the tips. Perfect video, I fast forward the parts I didn’t need. Thanks

[@myhealthtoo]

Excellent but where I purchase the voltage tester like the one you were using. I am doing the lights right now so I really can use the help because there's a few sections that are off right now. Thanks so much.

[@ESRepair]

+thetruth You can find the tester in most Hardware Stores like Lowes and Home Depot. -MrFixit

[@myhealthtoo]

ESRepair Thanks I bought one and did what you said but didn't work I have a section of 5 ' from 20' that's not working. I did what you said and go back to the lights that indicate power that is off and checked each bulb but nothing. now in this section that light are off half these test there is power and half test they don't. Now what??

[@SunWKim]

on the power plug part, if you use a flat head screwdriver you can push the plastic part toward the power prongs... you will see two fuse inside. If the fuse does not have full contact or is bad, your lights may not come on. i thought I had bad fuses, but I just needed to remove them and reseat them.. then my entire light section came back to life. sometimes the issue is not the bulb, but the fuse. if you have an entire section not working, it can be the bulb but also fuse. its a terrible design... why not just the one bulb not work so you can replace it instead of the whole thing. I think its a scam personally so you just go out and buy more lights.