Restore Your Christmas Lights in 4 Easy Steps

When your Christmas lights stop shining, you might find the solution to fixing them is as easy as replacing the fuses. This 4-step guide teaches you how to locate, remove, test, and replace the fuses in your light strand to make your home merry and bright once again.

How to replace Christmas light fuses

1 Find the Fuses

First, unplug the light strand from the outlet and locate the fuses in the plug (there should be two fuses). You’ll see a little door on the plug that says “Open.” Use a utility knife or screwdriver to open the door and expose the fuses.

Locate the fuses in the plug.
Finding the fuses is as easy as using a screwdriver to uncover them in the plug.
PRO TIP FROM ACE
Whether you have LED or incandescent Christmas lights, the process will be the same for checking and replacing the fuses.

2 Remove the Fuses

With your utility knife or screwdriver, pry the fuses out of the plug. These fuses are small glass capsules that fit in tight, so be careful getting them out.

Remove fuses from plug with screwdriver.
Use your same screwdriver to pry loose the fuses from the plug.

3 Test the Fuses

Before replacing the fuses, you should confirm they are the source of the problem. Do this by checking if the center of the fuses are still together.

Use a holiday light tester to test fuses.
A holiday light tester is a convenient tool for checking the fuses on a holiday light set.
PRO TIP FROM ACE
When inspecting the fuses, your best bet is to use a holiday light tester. Place the fuses into the fitting at the top of the tester. If the fuses work, a light on the tester will turn on.

4 Replace the Fuses

Once you’ve confirmed the fuses need replacing, make sure to change them both out by pushing the replacement fuses into place with a utility knife or screwdriver. Take care not to break the new fuses when putting them in.

Use a screwdriver to push in new fuses.
Putting in new fuses should be just as easy as removing old ones.