How to replace exterior house lights

Step by step instructions for replacing outdoor house lights.
In this video I replace outdoor house light fixtures that have been on our home for 20 years. Video covers removal of the old lights and installation of the new lights.
Whenever doing any maintenance on the home that requires working with electricity, be sure to shut the power off at the breaker panel to avoid injury.

[@tmorrison5965]

You are the only video I found that has to work around different sized mounting on stucco. I absolutely didn't have a clue how to remedy. Thank you so much!

[@SunlightThreE]

You my friend are a life saver! I finally had the guts to change my old exterior lights for new ones. They weren’t working for a year and was looking to find someone to do them for me. But your video helped immensely! Thank you my friend!

[@lishajohnson6368]

I was hesitant on doing this myself however, after seeing your instructions I feel confident that I can do it. Thanks a lot!

[@Annabelebanna]

Thanks so much for this thorough and clear tutorial.

[@amiyamura9010]

Thanks for the detailed video - I especially like how you showed the removal of the old mounting plate. None of the other videos mentioned it, and I wasn't sure. Happy to see the examples with box and without, and how to move the fixture over. Was doing wonderfully, except when it came to mounting my fixture to the plate -- the mounting screws were too short. I had to take apart the mounting bracket and use old screws that came out of my old fixture. And chisel down the stucco a bit, there was a lump preventing the fixture from sitting flush with the wall. But ultimately, success!

[@elfherself1]

This was extremely helpful and well put together. As a now single homeowner in dire need of updating exterior porch light, and doing things myself being high on my list, I needed just such a clear tutorial. Thanks!

[@Iscaper]

+Lee DeVore Thanks Lee for watching and good luck.

[@bmd4534]

Great video. Very clear and to the point.

[@karenvalencic]

Thank you so much! I bought replacement lights and the instructions were so tiny, busy and vague I couldn't comprehend! Your video, although different than my lights, provided the info I needed.

[@ginaserrano]

Thank you for doing this video! It's very helpful and will save me a lot of time and energy.

[@mariannedepriest7659]

Excellent step by step and visual description. Thank you

[@annaibarra3447]

I want to thank you so much for making these helpful videos. I am wanting to do these semi easy tasks instead of hiring someone to do so. I am a caregiver for my husband who no longer is able to function on his own. So I am left to do these tasks. I like the way you simplified the video and explained every simple step. Your voice is very calming and so clear. I have subscribed to your other tasks as I am going to replace the other light fixtures. Many thanks to you.

[@mikerusnak5370]

Thanks for sharing your insight. I am retired and appreciate the video. great job.

[@borntoraisehell5353]

Thank you! Now I'm going to go and replace my light! 🤗

[@williamtatrai7806]

So I get on KZbin to find a video about changing out my exterior house lights. The very first video I find has the exact lights I am going to replace with the exact lights I am going to replace them with. How cool is that? Thanks for posting this video.

[@Iscaper]

+William Tatrai What are the odds of that happening again?

[@KerryShamblin]

Just happened to me!

[@msliberry]

Very clear and easy to understand. Thanks for posting!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@Dora-xg6xc]

Thank you very much for taking your precious time to post this video. I asked Jesus for help and you were His answer. God bless you.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@scottydvintagevideos]

Thanks for the quick explanation about the round bracket having the grooves for the different size junction boxes. I also have the square 1 gang box in the brick. The Kichler Barrington 13-in outdoor wall light I purchased from Lowe's had no description in the instructions about using the grooves in the round bracket as an adapter for the 1 gang box.

[@ticktock1479]

I am SO happy I found your page. I actually feel like I can do these things now around the house without dishing out money for a handyman. Thanks! It will be a busy Memorial Day weekend for me 😀

[@Iscaper]

Thanks for watching.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Karen, I'm glad the video was helpful.

[@jordanmondello9342]

I just replaced three of my exterior lights with this video as assistance, thanks for posting it!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Jordan, I glad the video helped.

[@dlhiles]

Thanks for all the detail - I'm going to go tackle my outside light fixture now.

[@Iscaper]

+dlhiles Thanks and good luck.

[@lupevaldez9460]

Thank you very much on such a detail explanation of every step needed to replace a light fixture

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Lupe for watching.

[@KS-oe6kd]

Thanks so much. I watched other videos and recently hard wired a new kitchen light above the sink. Then, got some courage up to maybe try the lights outside on each side of the garage door. After watching your video, oh yes, I am going to give it a try. I'm terrified of electricity after a dryer cord got me good in 2004, I was super careful doing the kitchen light, my motive was saving money on ridiculous amounts I was told to hang a 27.99 outdoor back porch light. That is when I decided to try the kitchen light, next garage lights outside. A huge thanks! Great video, best part is you talk calmly and explain well.

[@Iscaper]

Good information, thanks for posting.

[@KS-oe6kd]

@@Iscaper Thank YOU! It is videos like yours, that gives people like me the courage to try some of what I call, the scarier home projects. Electric is nothing to mess with without lots of knowledge. I will hopefully be doing the two outdoor lights on each side of garage door between July and fall, will try to let you know how it goes. Don't change a thing about how you do your videos, the pace you speak & work is perfect!

[@Iscaper]

@@KS-oe6kd Thanks, I appreciate the feedback and good luck on the outdoor lights.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Lisha. Good luck and report back on how it goes for you.

[@joenicklo8174]

Very easy to follow, thorough video. Thanks for posting...now to go buy new fixtures.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Joe for the feedback.

[@bunnystuff2005]

Thank you so much for this most helpful video. I am trying to adjust to being a widow and am taking on more fix-its around my home. With your video I now know I can replace my existing lanterns (the exact same ones you had to replace...my are 20 years old too) on my own.

[@Iscaper]

Good luck to you.

[@ChesterKitty01]

So relaxing. I hope mine are this easy to replace lol. Great video. thx

[@Stevebaby123]

Thanks for the video. Exact light I was replacing it with too.

[@Critterz2418]

Thank you for making this video - it was very helpful!

[@Iscaper]

+Robyn Hawkes Thanks Robyn for the feedback.

[@REDOCTOBEER74]

+iScaper1 I second that, thanks for putting this up I'm going to update mine too. The ones on my house also have the originals one that it came with so they are pretty old too.

[@Iscaper]

+Red October Thanks and good luck on your installation.

[@MsPreciousParrot]

Very nice video - you are so clear with all the instructions - thank you so much! NOW.... all I have to do is convince my husband that we need to replace our 25 year old ugly (and cheap) track-home exterior light fixtures.... lol!!! 😖

[@shark52277]

Thanks very much. Very simple to do.

[@mwildasin226]

Thanks for the detailed instructions! I thought it would be much more difficult!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Monica.

[@elizzievb]

Fabulous, helpful video! I can do this! Thank you!

[@Mityob67]

Informative clean concise vid and super professional. Subbed. Thanks for uploading sir.

[@eme5]

Thank you. I needed something simple without all the hype and camera effects, to explain the basic process.

[@Reyescult]

Super helpful. Thank you!

[@ahub2010]

Thanks for the help. You have a beautiful home.

[@Iscaper]

Very kind, thank you.

[@rubyminpin7231]

You are awesome. This was so helpful!

[@iyannasmith4238]

Awesome video thanks for posting

[@teefrankenstein4340]

Thank you for this video!

[@squirrelavengerr31]

I will use your video to replace mine this weekend. Thanks!

[@Iscaper]

Good luck.

[@rafico9352]

Sir, you just saved me some money. The task doesn't look difficult at all and I think I can handle it. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks and good luck.

[@lutherjr3854]

This was very helpful thank you so much

[@LaKoketaa13]

Such a helpful video!!! thank you for sharing!!!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Karen for watching.

[@meaganlow8466]

Thank you for making this! Gonna to DIY it at my house! Also pretty sure I bought those same lights at Costco lol

[@aquafina2u]

Thanks. That looks easy enough.

[@jeffthewhiff]

Yes, installing these types of fixtures is really pretty easy and make for a good do-it-yourself" project.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Anna for the feedback, I'm sorry to hear about your husband.

[@irapodyukova1414]

I have exactly the same light! Will be replacing it this weekend

[@Iscaper]

Good luck!

[@dtajii7430]

Thank you for your video. Very easy to follow and understand. I'm going outside to replace mine now.

[@Iscaper]

Good luck and let me know how your replacement goes

[@dtajii7430]

iScaper1 The one in front was not a problem. Very similar to your video. The one in back a problem. The electrical box is not flush with the wall. So there is a 1/2 inch gap between the back of the fixture on top and the wall. I spent hours removing and trying to adjust it and a 1/2 inch gap is the best I can get it unless I put in a new box. Thanks for you video. It helped me a lot.

[@jbkemp32]

Thanks for this video. Well done.

[@Iscaper]

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback.

[@caroll.mcintyre7604]

I've watched your instructional video many times, as this is my first time EVER dealing with electricity like this. (It took me almost an hour to get the courage to remove the old light fixture after confirming many times that the power was indeed off!) Anyway, I'm about to watch your video again as I attempt to connect the wires and mount my new light fixture!!! Thank you for this video!!!!

[@Iscaper]

Carol L. McIntyre Thanks Carol and good luck. Let me know how the project goes for you.

[@Mindthegap720]

Carol L. McIntyre Do yourself a favor and buy a volt tester to make sure the power is completely off coming from your sub panel (breaker) as it wasn't mention in the video. safety comes first and good luck!

[@caroll.mcintyre7604]

Yes Alan, I did!!!!!!!! :-)

[@caroll.mcintyre7604]

iScaper1, I will have to send a picture today (if I don't melt in this triple digit heat in So Cal!).

[@caroll.mcintyre7604]

Hmmm, I can't figure out how to add a picture!

[@mikiecal69]

Very useful - thanks!

[@Iscaper]

Thanks for watching.

[@nathanielaranda8407]

the lights are so nice ! you did an outstanding job on this video

[@Iscaper]

+Nathaniel Aranda Thanks Nathaniel for the feedback.

[@nathanielaranda8407]

love you vids they are the most helpful DIY videos I have seen yet!

[@souayang5769]

thank you, i success because of you so detailed.

[@Iscaper]

+Soua Yang Thanks Soua, I appreciate the feedback.

[@annewalther2296]

So easy even I can do it :)

[@Hellbound17]

Very helpful! Thanks! :)

[@jeaniechampagne8831]

Looks easy...... doing it may be another matter..... but seems simple enough..... great videa......

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Jeanie and good luck.

[@LOVE2Flute]

Good job!

[@Iscaper]

Yes it's a ground screw. It's usually easier and faster to wire the ground from the fixture to the ground wire coming into the box with a wire nut.

[@fredflintstone1984]

Nifty trick on light #3 install. My only recommendation would be to switch to LED Daylight 60W equivalent bulbs at about 9 watts each, and cut your energy usage substantially, like 15 cents per kw.

[@Iscaper]

+Fred Flintstone Good tip on the bulbs, thanks for posting.

[@biancapreslar7682]

We have similar exterior lamps on the house we just bought as the ones you replaced, and was wondering how you replace the light bulbs? Thank you!

[@zachxu790]

Very helpful. Just a question. There is the GND screw on the mounting plate. I think that stands for Ground. I can also see it in your video. But it is not used. Can you explain the use of this? How should it be used?

[@Iscaper]

When we bought the house a lot of the lights had the same theme, which was the polished brass fixture type you see in the video on the lights I removed. We are gradually replacing the polished brass lights inside and outside the house with more of a brown accent type. We like the darker brown style more than the polished brass. There is one more light fixture on the garage door entrance I need to change out that will match the new style we like.

[@Lanita111]

Did you replace the backyard lights. In 2012

[@Iscaper]

@@Lanita111 No lights in the backyard to replace, but I did replace the light over the garage door entrance.

[@garvisleak969]

Thank you

[@Iscaper]

+Garvis Leak Thanks for watching.

[@helga7955]

Thank you for showing this how to.... Home Depot charges $99 to come out + installation fee. And thanks for reminding about turning off breaker circuit. I'm scared I would be electrocuted. I'll try to do it but don't know if I could. ( Gotta do it myself without a man in the house and to save money). I have 3 lights to do.

[@snakecharmer5193]

Thank you so much for explaining this clearly. I have one question....I have a grounding wire (bare copper wire) along with black and white, I connected the Black and White wires to the wires from the new fixture but connecting the ground wire to the new fixture was almost impossible because the wire gage is too big to fit on the screw that came with new fixture. So, I grounded the wire from the box to the bracket itself. This means, there is no grounding for the fixture. Is this Ok or is it dangerous as the new fixture is connected only with the hot and neutral wires. Please help. Thanks

[@Iscaper]

Snakecharmer That only works if the box itself is grounded. I would get a bigger wire nut and connect the ground from the lights to the ground from the box.

[@teeniewoo88]

Extremely informative, thank you! How tight do you tighten the caps over the wires and is electrical tape necessary to put over the wires and caps?

[@Iscaper]

Wire nuts need to be firmly tightened. I think black tape is recommended, but none of the wiring at my house has it so I usually don't apply it.

[@teeniewoo88]

+iScaper1 Great! Thank you again :))

[@cythelynsanders]

I think I can do this, going to try

[@Iscaper]

Good luck.

[@oh-home-girl7998]

Are the light brackets standard? Looking to purchase new fixtures for my husband to install. I'm trying to make sure I don't buy something that we would not be able to use the existing screw holes. Thx

[@lduranceau8046]

Thanks for the excellent video. It is very easy to follow. May I ask you a question? The lanterns that you installed are fully open at the bottom. Does this pose problems for, for example, spider webs, etc? IE, do these kind of sconces attract lots of dirt and insects?

[@Iscaper]

Haven't had a problem with insects and bugs yet.

[@maricruzdesanluisrey4057]

Im glad u showed different scenarios bec. On reality, one runs into problems, such as what u showed on your video. If a fixture is installed, arent both source wires, hot, because u are simply interrupting a switch on the wall? One prob. I had was a box that was not flush to the wall & the fixture is now dangling. How dobu solve this problem without undoing the junction box?

[@msmeganmole]

I have the same problem. Nobody answered your question. Darn.

[@bennyap3002]

You make it look so easy and stress free. I wonder if installing from a bayonet fitting follow the same procedure. thank you ! Have a great day and merry christmas .

[@Iscaper]

Thanks and Merry Christmas to you also. I'm not sure what you mean by bayonet fitting.

[@bennyap3002]

iScaper1 A bayonet fitting is our normal light socket (bayonet clip) on the ceiling or on the outside wall. The term commonly used down under. thank you.

[@Iscaper]

Beng Kar Yap Thanks for the information.

[@sulimanyousufi9108]

Awesome

[@Iscaper]

Thanks Suliman.

[@Iscaper]

Good question, you might want to check with a local electrician to see what is allowed.

[@karupakala]

That's a nice light. Did you match it with garage lights or decided to go with some other design?

[@johnd866]

Thanks for the video! Why isn't it necessary to pig tail the ground wire to the grounding screw on the mounting plate?

[@Iscaper]

John D Other boxes on my house were wired to the ground coming into the box so that's what I did.

[@AlessioSangalli]

Thank you, I used your video to remove the outdoor lights after I accidentally left them turned ON while I was away several weeks out of town. Such a waste. What would you recommend to do with the empty holes that have been left? The finish is stucco so I'm not sure if the best course of action is to fill with some stucco material. Thanks.

[@Iscaper]

I would look for an exterior blank cover that would fit the outlet box. If you just have holes in the stucco I would try and patch the holes with stucco of a similar color.

[@patriciaphillips-batoma1469]

Nicely paced vide and very helpful. For light number 3, how were you able to attach the screw on the right side of the lamp, near the raised edge along the garage wall?

[@Iscaper]

+Patricia Phillips-Batoma Hi Patricia. I think you meant light #4. Very observant on your part. Since the bracket was so close to the trim around the garage door, I started the screw into the bracket before mounting it to the wall. Then I cut a small groove into the base so that it would slide over the screw, and finally I tightened the screw with a small pair of pliers. It took a while.

[@patriciaphillips-batoma1469]

Sounds very difficult. I learned a lot from the video, and watched it because I wanted to replace a lamp top that is on a pole in front of the house. The new lamp has the black, white and ground wires, but when I pulled the lights out from inside the pole (full of spider webs just like your video) there was the following scheme: white to white, black to black, ground to ground and red (from inside the pole) to another black. Not sure what to do, but maybe I need to call an electrician.

[@Iscaper]

+Patricia Phillips-Batoma Yeah, it might be time to ask an electrician. Let me know what the red wire was for.

[@johnkrebs4179]

Where can I get the lights that are in the video? Or what brand are they? They are awesome lights!

[@Iscaper]

I got these at Home Depot.

[@drummerseahawkboy]

Purchased our home last Oct, and the house was built in 1989, and there were never any lights installed about the garage. That area of the house is always so dark and I hate it so much. What would be needed and around how much would it cost to get this done. I’ve upgraded all the lights/fixtures in the home. They were rather easy but as far as drilling into siding running wire etc etc I have no Idea how to make this happen

[@sjr7822]

So, it isn't necessary to have the two copper wires wrapped around that green ground screw, just use the cap on the two copper wires, is enough, ignoring the green ground screw? I take an answer from anyone-I'm in the process of installing

[@thiscorrosion900]

Was curious, are all four of those lights on the same power switch circuit inside the garage, or front door area? It's always a lot easier when you have all the fronts or backs on one circuit with one main power switch, I guess.

[@Iscaper]

Porch light was on one circuit and the garage lights were on another circuit.

[@thiscorrosion900]

@@Iscaper I see. It's almost never on just one main one. I just moved into a home but it's really old, built in 1927 or so, supposedly, and a fixer-upper to some extent. I fully repaired a back porch basic jelly-glass light fixture myself, but I found out some above porch floodlights are not working at all, and no idea why. Landlord may have to address it, among other things. They looked like they were left to rot, and aren't on the power switch with the one I fixed. I also need to put in a basic overhead light in my front door area, since there's none overhead inside the doorway area. I did put up some IKEA floor lamps and such. I put out some solar path lights for kicks, too.

[@sok8888]

Dude, if the house catches fire due to the wiring you shown in the 2nd and 3rd light fixtures without a outlet box or mounting block, the insurance won't pay a penny.... just saying. It is the code. Also, it easy to install mounting block. And remember use gasket or caulking to seal from weather.

[@EnzoFuturistic]

I have to do this. my light fixtures are over 25 years old.

[@Iscaper]

+EnzoFuturistic Good luck!

[@Theqnofeverything]

Where did you buy the lights? I've been looking for one just like it.

[@Iscaper]

Theqnofeverything Home Depot.

[@joselsaldana6062]

I was going to get charged $30 to install 2 of these between my garage. The lights cost me $25 on clearance, no way I was going to pay more than what the lights cost me. I will do this myself tomorrow.

[@Iscaper]

Jose Saldana Good luck and thanks for watching.

[@Iscaper]

I wonder why the original builder didn't cut boxes in in the first place.

[@k.s.1737]

Hi, I replaced my fixture but it does not snug up to the wall. I am mounting on brick, there is a rectangular electrical box installed in the brick. My light does not have a mounting bracket as yours does. It installs directly on the same style bracket that the light you replaced had. Any ideas for gaskets or other mechanisms to snug the light to the brick wall? the cap nuts are very tiny that hold the fixture on the mounting bracket. A few more turns of thread, 1/4? or so would do the trick. thanks for your help. kathy

[@k.s.1737]

I meant 1/4".

[@Iscaper]

If you light is like the one I removed, then yes you want to thread the center bolt that protrudes from the bracket in a little bit to make it shorter so that the cap nut will tighten the fixture base more against the brick.

[@k.s.1737]

iScaper1 Thanks. It fits up against the house now. I actually had two screws on the bracket, but applied your advice and it worked perfectly. Thanks again.

[@jasuppen9290]

So, whats with the light without the outlet box. Isn't that an improper junction? Shouldn't all connections be inside a box? How come you didn't put a box in? (I would like to replace an exterior outlet box with a recessed one, but just mounting directly to the wall looks easier, although I'm worried wind/rain could cause a short or find their way into the wall.)

[@Iscaper]

My guess is the electrician who did the original wiring didn't have a wall stud to work with and didn't want to take the time to add a horizontal 2x4 to center the light on the exterior wall. It was probably easier to just drill a hole and mount the old light. I didn't want to tear a section of sheet rock inside the garage to add the box.

[@MrWalterthomas]

My porch light does not come on, and the breaker does not identify the front light. How can I tell if the electricity is off? Thanks!

[@Iscaper]

Can you change the porch light bulb and get the light working off the switch? If so, turn the light on and go to the breaker panel and turn each breaker off and on to see which breaker controls the porch light. Then label that breaker. If the fixture is bad and you can't get the light to work off the switch, you'll probably have to use a multi-tester to confirm when there is power to the fixture.

[@cherylwhite1792]

where did you buy the new lights

[@Iscaper]

It's been a while, but I think I got the lights at Home Depot.

[@morneau69]

What do you do if there is no ground wire coming out of old light box? New lamp has 3 wires, where do I attach new light ground

[@Iscaper]

Jeffrey A.M If the box is grounded, to the box or the green screw in the bracket attached to the box.

[@morneau69]

iScaper1 I dont think the box is grounded and I do not see a screw to ground it. Older house and I dont think there are geound wires

[@Iscaper]

Jeffrey A.M You either have to run a ground to the box if it isn't grounded, or wire the light without a ground.

[@MrACD1977]

All fixtures should have a box. If you remove a fixture and find that there is no box, one should be cut in. Otherwise use a mounting block that is rated for use as a fixture box.

[@jackiechurches5865]

One of my garage lights is not working. How can I fix this?

[@Iscaper]

I would check the bulb first. If the bulb is okay you may need to take a multi-tester and test power to the outlet box.

[@stonkpuppets6393]

It looks like you could afford a cordless drill man? lol I would love digging thru your trash to find stuff like your old fixers,

[@Iscaper]

I have a Dewalt cordless hammer drill...... What is a fixer?

[@sheikh162010]

Do you need to cut the power to this?

[@Iscaper]

Always turn off the power at the breaker panel before doing a project like this.

[@ABC-rg4li]

I have a problem, the socket for the actual wall is very lose and the screws aren't releasing it to be able to see why it is not mounted very good in the wall. The wall is vynle not brick.

[@Iscaper]

Not quite sure I understand. Do you mean the screws for the old light base are stripped out and you can't get the base off?

[@paintyouup8247]

Anyone else notice on the first light he twisted a copper wire to aluminum? without the proper wire tie or grease? Seems dangerous as the metals expand at different rates and can be a fire hazard.

[@Iscaper]

Ground from the light is copper and the ground in the box is copper which you can see clearly at 3:20 in the video.