Failed outside lights

What this usually means

Most enquiries in this category are one dead wall light, floodlight or entrance fitting on the same point. Sometimes the fitting itself has failed. Sometimes the real issue is the lamp, the sensor or switch, a loose connection, or water getting into the point. That is why a dead outside light should not be treated exactly like an indoor decorative swap.

Typical solutions

• Check whether the problem looks like a failed fitting, a control issue or a wider fault affecting the outside point.
• Replace a failed fitting on the same point where the cable condition, mounting surface and new fitting are still a sensible match.
• Adjust or replace the PIR or control side if the light hardware is sound but the triggering or switching is not.
• Move into broader fault-finding or remedial work if the outside point shows water damage, corrosion, brittle cable, repeated tripping or signs of previous poor work.

What to send first

• Your postcode, plus a daytime photo of the fitting and the wall or mounting position.
• A photo of the switch, PIR, photocell or other control point if there is one.
• A short note on the symptom: completely dead, flickering, tripping, works only sometimes, or sensor not responding properly.
• A photo of the consumer unit only if something is tripping and it is safe to photograph.
• Any replacement fitting link or model number if you have already bought one.

What can change the scope

• If the fitting is cracked, full of water, visibly overheated or keeps tripping protection, the first visit may be checking and safe isolation rather than a simple swap.
• If the current point is in the wrong place, the cable entry is poor, or the real aim is better coverage, the cleanest answer may be a modest upgrade rather than like-for-like replacement.
• Customer-supplied fittings are often fine, but outdoor rating, size, mounting and connection space still need checking against the current point.