What to Do When Your Christmas Lights Stop Working

Avoid the Holiday Headache: What to Do When Your Christmas Lights Stop Working

There’s nothing quite like the moment you open the Christmas decorations, untangle the fairy lights, plug them in... and nothing happens. Whether you’re decorating your home with the kids or prepping for a large-scale install, faulty lights can derail the magic before it begins.

At Christmas Decorations Brisbane and The Prop House Collective, we’ve styled thousands of Christmas displays, both in homes and across Brisbane’s most iconic retail precincts. So when lights don’t work, here’s exactly what we check first (and why it helps avoid frustration and disappointment).

Step One: Check the Power and Transformer

Unlike older lights, modern LED Christmas lights are sealed units with no replaceable bulbs or internal fuses. If a string won’t turn on, the issue is most likely in the transformer or power source.

Start with the basics:

• Make sure the transformer is firmly plugged into both the light string and a working power outlet

• Test the outlet with another device (like a lamp or phone charger)

• Bypass smart timers or power boards, they’re useful but can be glitchy after storms or surges

• If the lights still don’t turn on, the transformer may be the culprit. Not the lights themselves

In many cases, replacing the transformer gets things glowing again without replacing the whole set.

Know When It’s Time to Move On

If you’ve tested the transformer and there’s still no light, chances are the set has simply reached the end of its life. It’s easy to keep testing and hoping, especially if you’re attached to those lights or have a decorating helper tugging at your sleeve, but sometimes the best thing to do is let them go.

Our advice? Check all your lighting in advance, not on decorating day. That way, you avoid any last-minute disappointment (and potential tantrums) from excited little helpers when their favourite tree doesn’t light up.

Always Test First, Before You Decorate

Whether you’re styling a grand staircase or trimming the front garden, the golden rule is simple: always test your lights first. Before they go on a tree, roof, or garland:

• Lay them out flat and plug them in

• Check for a consistent glow across the full length

• Only tag or box up the ones that pass with flying colours

This quick check saves time, avoids stress, and helps keep the decorating day joyful, not frustrating.

Why It Matters for Corporate Displays (and What You Can Learn at Home)

Lighting sets the tone. In commercial installs, it’s the difference between a window display that shines on social media and one that misses the mark. But even at home, a single faulty string can dim the entire mood of your setup.

That’s why our Commercial Christmas Installation Team pre-tests every lighting element before we arrive on site. It's a key part of our tried-and-tested install process and one you can adopt at home too.

Brightening Up Your Home (and Beyond)

Christmas lights might seem like a small detail, but they hold a big emotional weight, especially when family, photos, and traditions are involved. By checking transformers, avoiding outdated light myths, and testing early, you protect your festive setup from last-minute stress.

Looking for lights that last? We stock the same quality lighting we use in our commercial installations, and they’re perfect for home decorating too. Designed to be reliable, energy-efficient, and consistently beautiful, they’re made to stand up to both summer heat and festive excitement.

Visit our Brisbane showroom or explore our Christmas lighting range online. Whether you’re styling the family tree or lighting up the whole house, we’ll help you make the season shine.