This one needs a licensed pro
Stop: flicker with heat, smell or noise
Flicker with popping, crackling, a burning smell or a warm switch means a connection is failing. Turn the breaker off and call a licensed electrician.
Why this happens
Bob Vila and This Old House both treat crackling, a burning smell or a warm switch alongside flicker as signs to call an electrician. ESFI lists flickering lights, a burning smell and warm outlets among electrical warning signs. NFPA found arcing was the heat source in 64% of home electrical fires in 2020 to 2024.
What to do right now
- If you see smoke or flames, get out, stay out and call 911.
- Turn the light switch off.
- At the panel, open only the hinged door. Never remove the metal cover behind it; that cover is for electricians. Keep your hands dry and do not stand on a wet floor.
- Switch OFF the breaker for that light and leave it off.
- Call a licensed electrician.
What to tell the licensed electrician
- Which light flickers, and what you heard, smelled or felt.
- Which breaker you turned off.
- Whether the switch is a dimmer, and what bulbs are in the fixture.
Build the full list: what to tell the licensed electrician.
Start this troubleshooter over
References (every fact above comes from one of these pages)
Vent, Valve & Volt is published by the team behind FourHome. Browse all FourHome replacement faucet and shower parts on the FourHome Amazon store.