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Jul 05, 2025

There’s nothing quite like the beauty of a well-lit yard or illuminated walkway. Landscape lighting can turn any property into a showpiece, and outdoor lighting adds valuable security and nighttime functionality. But that picture-perfect glow can quickly turn into frustration if your lights suddenly start flickering or stop working.

Sadly, this is not just a slight possibility. Outdoor lights work harder than indoor fixtures. They face extreme temperatures, heavy rain, snow, curious critters, and everything in between. It’s no wonder they’re prone to occasional hiccups or outright failures.

In this brief article brought to you by Abulous Lighting, we shed light on some common reasons your outdoor lights might not be working - and the type of repair or replacement that could be needed. You're always welcome to call or message Abulous Lighting with questions or concerns, or if you'd like to schedule an appointment or request urgent assistance.

Burnt-Out Bulbs

It might seem obvious, but sometimes the simplest answer is the right one. Outdoor light bulbs tend to burn out faster than indoor ones due to harsher conditions and longer run times. This is especially true if you’re using halogen or incandescent bulbs; replacement is more common than you’d expect.

Luckily, the fix is as simple. Swap out the bulb with a fresh one of the correct type and wattage. If your fixtures aren’t LED, then now might be the perfect time to upgrade. LED bulbs last significantly longer and use far less energy.

Tripped Circuit Breakers

Outdoor lighting systems in Cumming, GA are typically connected to your home’s electrical system via a dedicated circuit. If too much current flows through the circuit (whether due to moisture intrusion, faulty wiring, or overloaded circuits), then the breaker may trip to prevent damage.

Check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker and reset it by flipping it completely off then back into the on position. If the breaker trips again immediately or frequently, then look further. That could point to a deeper issue requiring a professional electrical repair. A certified electrician can investigate and safely resolve the root problem.

Faulty Wiring

Wiring issues are one of the more complex and potentially hazardous culprits in faulty outdoor lighting. Outdoor wiring is vulnerable to corrosion, rodent damage, and wear from shifting soil or water infiltration. If the wires are frayed, loose, or improperly installed, then your lights may flicker, dim, or go out entirely.

This is not a DIY moment. Call in a certified electrician to inspect and repair or replace damaged wiring. In some cases, the fixture itself may need to be removed and rewired. This is often the case for older systems or those installed without proper protection.

Timer or Photocell Malfunctions

Many outdoor lights rely on timers, dusk-to-dawn sensors, or motion detectors. Over time, these controls can wear out or stop syncing correctly. You can try to reset the timer or test the photocell sensor by shining a flashlight on it (it should turn off the light if functioning properly).

If the control is faulty, then it may need to be replaced. Consider upgrading to a smart controller for greater flexibility and reliability. The team at Abulous Lighting is happy to help you make the move up.

Water Damage

Outdoor lights naturally face heavy water exposure. Even waterproof-rated fixtures can suffer from condensation or leaks if seals wear out. Water getting into the fixture can short out the bulb, corrode connectors, or trip your GFCI outlet.

Regularly inspect for signs of water inside the fixture. If present, disconnect power and let it dry out completely. Replace seals or gaskets if needed. In many cases, persistent water damage may call for a new fixture.

Time to Call the Pros? Contact Abulous Lighting

You don’t need to diagnose and fix every lighting issue on your own. Whether it’s troubleshooting, lighting fixture repair, or a full system upgrade, the team at Abulous Lighting is here to help. We offer complete lighting design, installation, and repair services tailored to your home or business’s unique needs.

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Happy Customers Saying

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Kimberly Buckland

Absolute Lighting installed my outdoor flood lights 2 years ago and they are beautiful! They did such a great job that I used them to setup and take down the Christmas lights for the past 2 years. I would highly recommend them. Frank always responds to questions and automatically puts me on the schedule for set up and take down of the Christmas Lights.

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Graham Antin

We love Abulous lighting and have been using them for years  They are very responsive and professional and  will come back no questions asked for any follow up work  Good pricing and highly trustworthy  Frank, the owner, is a true  stand up guy.  I recommend without reservation

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Allan Conlan

Frank and the team at Abulous were great to work with. They came out and retro-upgraded some previous lighting that we had done a few years back and made it look as seamless and continuous as possible. They also worked with us on the best (& most economical) way to light up a hard to reach area of our yard. They also followed up with us after we had another group of workers "disturb" some of the lighting wires and came back out and fixed everything back up again. Very friendly, dependable local resource who do great work. Highly recommend.

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Mike Thomas

After reviewing multiple companies we contracted with Abilous Lighting to create outside accent lighting for our home, backyard patio, walkways, & fire pit.  Their ideas and design were the best!   It was a pleasure working with Frank Hasty, who did  the design, and his crew of Brandon & Rusty who performed the work.  All were excellent to work with.   We are very happy with Abulous Lighting.