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Light switch · Repair Copilot

Light switch not working

A light switch that does nothing could be a burned-out bulb, a tripped breaker, or a worn switch — and only some of that is safe to DIY. Before opening anything, there are checks that need no tools and no risk. Show SightLine the switch and fixture and a licensed-electrician persona guides you, insisting the power is OFF at the breaker before any switch is touched.

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Free · uses your phone camera · no app, no signup. SightLine will ask what it needs to see and guide you one step at a time.

Steps to fix light switch not working

  1. Swap the bulb first — a dead bulb is the most common "broken switch."
  2. Check the breaker panel for a tripped breaker feeding that room.
  3. See whether it's a 3-way setup where a second switch elsewhere controls the same light.
  4. If you'll open the switch, turn the power OFF at the breaker and verify it's dead with a tester — never work it live.
  5. A like-for-like switch swap (power confirmed off) is DIY; panel work, new circuits, or aluminum wiring is a licensed electrician.

Safety first: if a step calls for gas, a main water or sewer line, a service panel or main breaker, or a sealed refrigerant system, stop and call a licensed pro — Repair Copilot will tell you when you're there.