Outdoor Lights Not Working? 3 Common Problems Explained

By Haydon the Electrician

There’s nothing worse than stepping into your garden at night and discovering your outdoor lights not working. Whether it’s driveway lights in Chippenham, decking lights in Corsham, or security floodlights in Bath, outdoor lighting plays a big part in keeping your home safe and making sure you can get your keys in the door! When your outdoor lights stop working, it can leave dark spots around your property. The good news is that most issues can be traced back to a few simple causes.

In Wiltshire, with its mix of wet winters and wildlife-rich gardens, outdoor lighting problems are surprisingly common. Below, we’ll look at the three biggest culprits homeowners face, and when it’s best to call in a registered electrician to get everything shining again.

1. Water Ingress

Moisture is the number one reason for outdoor lights not working. After heavy rain, water can seep into poorly sealed fittings, cables, or junction boxes, causing trips or total failure. We often find this on DIY installs or just from poor workmanship. If you notice your lights failing or tripping issues after wet weather, water ingress is likely the cause. While some minor resealing can be done with outdoor-safe products, it’s safest to ask an electrician to test the circuit. 

2. Rodent Damage

With lots of rural areas, mice and other small rodents often chew through outdoor lighting cables. This can cause whole sections of lights to stop working and again, create tripping issues. If you see rodent damage, avoid DIY repairs! Exposed wiring can be dangerous and should definitely be properly replaced. A reliable electrician can protect it from future gnawing with rodent-resistant conduit or armoured cable.

3. Bulb Replacements

Occams Razor suggests that the simplest solution is usually the best which means that sometimes the simplest answer to get your lights back on is to just replace a blown bulb! Outdoor lighting, especially halogens (which are being phased out now anyway) can wear out faster due to temperature changes and frequent use. Swapping them for LED bulbs is a cost-effective way to reduce replacements, save energy, and get a brighter, more reliable light across your garden. I'd always recommend using fittings with replaceable bulbs too so that you don't need an electrician to replace the whole unit. 

“Josh and Haydon have just completed a series of small jobs including fitting outside lights. We have been so impressed with the quality, thoroughness and neatness of their work. We have already asked them to return to complete some more work. Watt & Co are now our "go to" electricians! – Kim Harris

If you’re interested in repairing or upgrading your outdoor lights then call us on 01249 698 255 or fill out the contact form to the right.

FAQs

1. Do Watt & Co. Electrical cover Frome and Bradford-on-Avon?
Yes, we work across Bath, Chippenham, Corsham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Frome and the surrounding areas.

2. Why choose Watt & Co. Electrical for outdoor lighting repairs?
We’re fully registered electricians, experienced in diagnosing and fixing all types of outdoor and garden lighting issues.

3. Why have my outdoor lights stopped working after rain?
This is often down to water ingress, which can affect fittings and underground cables. Proper sealing and waterproofing helps prevent repeat issues.

4. How do I know if rodents have damaged my garden lights?
If whole sections of lights stop working or you find visible cable damage, rodents may be to blame. A professional can confirm and repair it safely.

5. How often should I replace outdoor light bulbs?
Halogen bulbs may need replacing every 1–2 years, but LEDs last much longer — often 10+ years, depending on usage.