Can't get light bulb out of fixture

Question

I know there is a way to remove the bulb, but can't remember. I am scared of it breaking off in my hand.

Bill Furnish · Answer

First make sure  the power to the broken bulb is off. Get a potato, cut off one end. Stick the flat end in the stuck broken bulb shards and turn.the broken bulb should turn easily. Easy peasey!

The Garden Frog with C Renee · Answer

If the bulb hasn't broken, then I would wear a leather glove and eye protection. If you cannot get the bulb out, then I would ask someone to help. If it broke inside the fixture, you want to make sure there is no power to the light fixture and use the potato idea by Bill.

Dfm · Answer

what type of fixture and bulb? are you talking standard 60 watt bulb broken at base or curly cue florescent? or tube type bulb? some specialty bulbs have push pins, they pull straight out, no twist or turn. is the any kind of a model no. on the fixture? if there is google it and see if an on line manual is available showing how to put in the bulb.

Karen · Answer

BILL FURNISH, IS correct : use a potato cut in half. stick the flat end into the stuck broken bulb and swist it out!!!!

Candy Burns-Staeb · Answer

i have always used a potatoe to remove light bulbs that have broken off! works every time !!

Louise · Answer

cut a potato in half, put the raw end up I light fixture. and screw it out. that is what I have heard

Karen Harstad · Answer

Use a potato! It will work!!

Louise · Answer

did it work?

Con3711289 · Answer

Mic M -- This happened to me, too, and my instincts were like yours. I was afraid to force it. Turns out that my idea of what constitutes force was a bit too wimpy. (I prefer to think of it as level-headed caution.) According to my father-in-law, I just needed to give it a little more. Here's what I did to gain the confidence to do that: 
 
 I cut a bunch of lengths of painter's tape and covered the glass portion of the bulb completely, so that if it broke, the glass wouldn't go flying. Then, I slipped a heavy sock over it, and secured that around the neck of the bulb with a rubber band. (Keep everything off the metal threading of the screw-in part.)

I turned off the electrictiy to the fixture and, despite the tape and the sock, I put on work gloves and safety glasses. Oh, and I tucked my hair under a ball cap. Now that I was no longer afraid of my light fixture, I had the nerve to put a little more oomph into my unscrewing effort. I figured that if it broke, it broke. But no one would be hurt in the process. And I'd just hand my husband a potato when he got back in town. :)

Slowly, but firmly, I gave it even counterclockwise pressure.I took my time, increasing pressure by tiny increments. Just when i was about to give up, success! Hope it works the same for you.

Cindy · Answer

u can take a large towel and fold it thick and use that as if the bulb breaks it wont be big enough pieces to gothrough the towel

Tris Smith · Answer

Try a spray lubricant , like WD40. Spray litely around the base and give it a couple minutes to soak. I would try to grab it with a rubber jar opener held in a oven mitt. If it breaks then jam a potato into the socket and turn. Good luck!

Dfm · Answer

if there is not enough room for your fingers, try a pair of loop style tongs and a rubber gripper under them.

Louise · Answer

u poor people , just get it out.it is not a time boom.

Walt Shorts · Answer

Make sure that the light fixture is off. Kill it at the circuit breaker to be sure. If there's only the metal part of the bulb left in the socket, use needle nose pliers to loosen it until it comes free. The pliers should have rubber grips, to be safe, and wear protective gloves as a secondary measure.

If there's still broken glass, use the cut potato, as described in the comments above.

Can't get light bulb out of fixture

Suggested Project Book

30 Gorgeous Ways To Keep Your Home Organized

Other

More

Can't get light bulb out of fixture

Suggested Project Book