Lesson 1
Testing Bulbs and Dimmers
The first step is always checking bulb seating and compatibility issues.
Seating the bulb
Many flickers are caused by a loose bulb. With the power off, ensure the bulb is fully screwed into the socket. If it is an LED bulb, check the label to ensure it is rated as 'dimmable'. Using a standard LED in a dimmer-controlled circuit will cause the bulb to flicker or fail rapidly.
Ruling out the dimmer
Try the bulb in a non-dimmer lamp. If it works, the issue is your dimmer switch. Dimmers have a minimum load requirement; if you have replaced old bulbs with lower-wattage LEDs, the total wattage might be below the dimmer's threshold. You may need a modern LED-compatible dimmer switch. Always check if the flicker happens across all bulbs in the house, which indicates a wider electrical problem, or just one, which confirms it is isolated to that specific bulb or switch.