Kansas City had a mild winter this year, without too much rain or snow. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to check your outdoor lighting before spring arrives. In this outdoor lighting maintenance checklist, we will go through common problems with low voltage outdoor lighting systems, whether you can fix them yourself, and, if not, how much the cost might be.

Common Reasons Why Your Outdoor Lights Aren’t Working

Outdoor lighting, like all other fixtures, can fail. Here are some common reasons why your light might not be working properly:

• Aged wiring: Old lights might gradually stop working due to aged connections.
• Weather damage: While outdoor lights are designed to last, inclement weather and hard debris can still damage them.
• Problem with the power supply: Sometimes it’s not the lights, it’s your power source.
• Connection issues: If your lights are controlled by a smart system or via a mobile app, check for signal and connection issues.
• Software updates: Similarly, ensure your smart lights have the latest updates installed.
• Normal wear and tear: Your light might have simply reached the end of its life.
• Blocked or damaged sensor: Automatic lights rely on sensors to turn on after dark.

Outdoor Lighting Maintenance Checklist

Now that you know the common reasons why your outdoor lights aren’t working, it’s time to do a thorough inspection of your lighting system. Usually, you would only troubleshoot if a light is flickering or not turning on at all. However, an annual inspection might help you catch problems early on and save on repair costs.

Lighting Maintenance Checklist

To-do	Pro Needed for Repair?	Cost
Clean and inspect fixtures	No	Under $20 if you need cleaning supplies
Inspect light bulbs	No	$15 – $50
Check wiring	Yes	$50 – $100 an hour
Check the power supply	Maybe	$100 – $200
Inspect the Connections	Most Likely	Approx. $15 – $50 per sensor.
Test the timer	Yes, if resetting the timer doesn’t work	$200 – $500
Test Color Settings	Maybe
Update Your Software	No	$0

1. Clean and Inspect Fixtures

Start with the easiest task by cleaning and inspecting your lighting fixtures. Remove any leaves, dirt, and debris from around the lights, and gently wipe the surfaces clean with a soft rag. You should thoroughly clean at least once a year. Preferably, check your lights seasonally or after inclement weather.

2. Inspect Lightbulbs

If you notice a light is flickering or isn’t turning on, the first thing to do would be to inspect the lightbulbs. Make sure to turn off the power before removing the lightbulb. Check the bottom of the bulb for signs of overheating or surging. You can also put the bulb into another fixture to see if the problem is the bulb or something else.

3. Check Wiring

If the lightbulbs are working but your lights still appear dim, unstable, or not turning on at all, chances are you have wiring issues. For anything electrical, it’s best to leave it to a professional electrician.

4. Check the Power Supply

Another reason your lights may be acting up is your power supply. Check the voltage and breaker box. Make sure the circuit box is functioning properly. If the problem persists, use a voltage checker to diagnose the problem. If you think something is wrong with the transformer, call an electrician for help.

5. Inspect the Connections

Your lighting connections for each light are a common place where issues occur.  80% – 90% of the time, when a light is not working, it is due to a connection point where the wire nuts have loosened or been moved due to critters, settling, maintenance, etc.  Usually, you can fix most problems with lights at the connection point.

6. Test the Timer

The accuracy of your timer may also sway as time goes by. The best way to test your timer is set it at a lower number. If the timing seems off, follow your manufacturer’s manual to reset the timer. Sometimes you can also do a reset from your phone for a smart system. If you believe a new control panel is necessary, contact a local outdoor lighting installation company for the replacement.

7. Test Color Settings

Similarly, test each color setting to see if anything is amiss. Note that errors in color-changing lights could indicate a problem in wiring, connectivity, the control panel, or color-changing light bulbs. Given the complexity, you might want a professional to help you troubleshoot and address the issue.

8. Update Your Software

While most smart outdoor lighting systems have automatic software updates, certain patches or major version updates may require a manual download. Therefore, it’s a good idea to run a system diagnosis at least once a year so your system is always up to date.

Should I Hire a Pro?

Outdoor lighting system maintenance is more tedious than challenging. However, since some of the steps involve inspecting electrical wiring, it might be more desirable for most homeowners to leave the task to a licensed and ensured outdoor lighting contractor altogether.

How much does it cost to repair outdoor lighting systems?

Low-voltage outdoor lighting system repairs, including the initial troubleshooting, cost from $200 to $500 on average. More extensive repairs, such as replacing an electrical panel or the entire control system, could cost $800 to $1,000.