If professionally installed Christmas lights stop working during the holiday season, the first step is usually to contact the company that installed them. Depending on the service agreement, the installer may provide in-season support to diagnose the problem and get the affected part of the display working again.
A section of lights going out does not necessarily mean the entire installation has failed. The issue could involve a connection, timer, outlet, individual strand, weather-related movement, or another part of the lighting system.
For homeowners who hire a full-service Christmas light installer, ongoing support is one of the advantages to look for before choosing a company.
What Should You Do If Installed Christmas Lights Stop Working?
Start by checking whether the problem affects the entire display or only one area.
If the whole display is off, the issue may be related to the timer, power source, outlet, or a connection supplying multiple sections. If only one roofline, tree, or other section has stopped working, the problem may be isolated to that part of the display.
If the lights were professionally installed, contact the installer before climbing onto the roof or taking apart the setup yourself. Explain which area is not working and when you first noticed the problem. A photo can also help the installer understand what needs attention.
Do Professional Christmas Light Installers Fix Lights That Go Out?
It depends on what is included in the service.
Some full-service Christmas light installation companies provide in-season maintenance or lighting support for displays they install. That means customers can contact the company if part of the installed lighting stops working or another covered issue develops during the season.
Maintenance policies are not identical from one installer to another. Before hiring a company, ask what happens if lights go out, whether service calls are included, and whether there are situations that are not covered.
If you are comparing services, our guide to what is included in professional Christmas light installation explains other services that may be part of a full installation.
Why Do Christmas Lights Stop Working After Installation?
Even a professionally installed display can occasionally need attention during the season. Outdoor Christmas lights remain exposed to changing temperatures, wind, snow, moisture, and other winter conditions.
Several different issues can cause part or all of a display to stop working.
A Connection Comes Loose
Outdoor lighting systems can contain several connections between light strands, extension cords, timers, and power sources.
If a connection becomes loose or is disturbed, one section of the display may lose power while the rest continues working.
A Light Strand or Component Develops a Problem
An individual strand or another component can sometimes fail during the season.
With a larger professional display, the problem may affect only one portion of the lighting rather than shutting down everything on the property.
A GFCI Outlet Trips
Outdoor holiday lighting should be connected to GFCI-protected circuits. These devices are designed to reduce electrical shock risk by interrupting power under certain fault conditions.
If a GFCI repeatedly trips, do not simply keep resetting it without determining why. Contact the installer or an appropriate electrical professional if the cause is unclear.
For more information about outdoor power requirements, see Do Christmas Lights Need Special Outlets or Extension Cords Outside?
The Timer or Power Schedule Changes
Sometimes the lights themselves are working properly, but a timer has lost its schedule or the power settings have changed.
Checking whether the display is receiving power at the expected time can help determine whether the problem involves the lights or the controls.
Wind or Weather Moves Part of the Display
Outdoor lighting is exposed to Colorado winter weather throughout the season.
Strong wind, snow, and changing conditions can sometimes shift clips, connections, or other parts of an exterior display. Properly securing outdoor lights helps reduce the chance of weather-related movement.
You can read more about winter conditions in Can Christmas Lights Be Installed During Cold Weather in Denver?
What If Only One Section of the Christmas Lights Goes Out?
If most of the display is still working, the problem is likely limited to one portion of the installation.
For example, the roofline may remain illuminated while a tree or entryway section goes dark. Another possibility is that only part of a longer lighting run stops working.
When contacting your installer, tell them exactly which section is affected. Something as simple as saying that the lights above the garage are out while the rest of the roofline is working can help narrow down the issue before the service visit.
Avoid removing clips, separating professional connections, or rearranging wiring unless the installer tells you to do so.
What Should You Do If the GFCI Keeps Tripping?
A GFCI that trips once and resets normally is different from one that repeatedly shuts the lighting off.
Outdoor holiday decorations are exposed to rain, snow, sleet, and moisture, which is one reason GFCI protection is important for exterior electrical decorations.
If the outlet continues to trip, stop repeatedly resetting it and contact the installer. If the issue involves the home’s electrical system rather than the lighting installation, an electrician may need to evaluate it.
Can Snow and Cold Weather Make Christmas Lights Stop Working?
Outdoor-rated Christmas lighting is designed for exterior use, but the entire installation still operates in changing winter conditions.
Snow, moisture, wind, freeze-thaw cycles, and temperature changes can affect connections, clips, timers, and other components around an outdoor display.
That does not mean snow automatically causes a lighting failure. It simply means exterior holiday displays occasionally need attention throughout the season, particularly when weather conditions change.
Should You Fix Professionally Installed Christmas Lights Yourself?
For simple ground-level checks, such as confirming that a timer has power, you may be able to identify an obvious issue without disturbing the installation.
However, avoid climbing onto the roof, using a ladder in unsafe winter conditions, pulling on installed wiring, or taking apart components you are unfamiliar with.
There is also a practical reason to call the installer first. If the company provides maintenance for its installation, changing the setup yourself may make the problem more difficult to diagnose.
When the issue involves outlets, repeated breaker or GFCI trips, damaged wiring, unusual heat, or another potential electrical problem, treat it as an electrical safety issue rather than simply a burned-out Christmas light.
Is Christmas Light Maintenance Included in the Installation Price?
Sometimes, but you should confirm before hiring.
A full-service Christmas light package may include more than the initial installation. Depending on the company and agreement, it can include:
- Lighting design
- Lights and installation materials
- Professional installation
- Timers
- In-season support
- Bulb or strand replacement for covered issues
- Post-holiday takedown
- Storage
Do not assume every company includes all of these services.
When reviewing an estimate, ask specifically what happens if part of the display stops working in December. That answer can be just as important as the installation price.
What Should You Ask About Maintenance Before Hiring an Installer?
Before choosing a Christmas light installation company, ask how problems during the season are handled.
Useful questions include:
- Is in-season lighting support included?
- Who do I contact if part of the display goes out?
- Are replacement bulbs or strands covered?
- Are weather-related issues covered?
- Is there a charge for a maintenance visit?
- Does coverage apply throughout the entire display season?
- What should I check before requesting service?
Getting these answers before installation helps you understand what you are actually paying for.
A low installation quote may not offer the same level of seasonal service as a package that includes maintenance and post-holiday removal.
Why In-Season Support Matters
Christmas lights are usually installed weeks before the holiday season ends. That means the display may need to operate night after night through changing winter weather.
If something goes wrong, having an installer you can contact means you are not left trying to troubleshoot roofline lights or outdoor connections on your own.
This is one of the main differences between simply paying someone to hang lights and hiring a company that provides a more complete seasonal lighting service.
If you are weighing the two approaches, read DIY vs. Professional Christmas Light Installation in Denver.
Get Professional Holiday Lighting With In-Season Support
Denver Christmas Lights Services provides professionally installed holiday lighting for homes and businesses in Denver and surrounding communities. Our service can include custom display planning, professional installation, in-season lighting support, and post-holiday takedown.
Learn more about our professional Christmas light installation or check our service areas to see where we work.
If you are planning a holiday display and want to know what installation would cost for your property, request a free Christmas light installation quote.