Kitchen recessed light keeps blinking after it has been on for awhile.

Jos28642436
by Jos28642436
  5 answers
  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Oct 24, 2017

    Either the bulb is loose, or you have a short in that socket. Try tightening the bulb. 😇💞

  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Oct 24, 2017

    I'm thinking there's a short somewhere. For safety reasons, I'd have an electrician look at it IF after you replace the bulb the blinking continues. Safety first! Best of luck.

  • Sharon Sharon on Oct 24, 2017

    Sounds like a loose wire to me.

  • William William on Oct 25, 2017

    The most common reason for your recessed light or recessed can light to be blinking on and off is that they have an internal heat sensor built in them that have preset limits for its usage. This is a safety device. When using a 75 watt rated fixture, the built-in thermally protected sensor will turn off the unit if a higher wattage light bulb is used causes over heating. The unit shuts itself off to allow it to cool down before a dangerous amount of heat can build up, which would result in the insulation to start smoldering and ultimately cause a fire that may not be detected until sever damage has occurred. As the thermal sensor in the recessed light cools down it will then relight the bulb giving you the blinking on and off sensation. The IC rated fixture does this so the safety issue is resolved before getting to the over heated stage eliminating a fire hazard. Fire hazard situation can occur when the non IC light fixture is installed in insulation without the proper IC protection box.


    The proper way to check the rating limit of this type of fixture is to switch off the light making sure to allow ample time for the bulb to cool before touching it. Remove the light bulb and look inside the fixture to see if it has a bulb size guide still affixed to the housing. Make sure you follow the manufactures recommendation for that particular size, style and type of lamp.


    There may be other issues such as a loose connection somewhere in your wiring, junction box, switch or the thermal protector may have go bad.