- 1). Locate the controller bulb that burned out on the inexpensive-type blinker bulbs you purchased, if an entire string stops working. The controller bulb is usually marked with a different color tip than other the other bulbs, but not always. Usually, the tip is red or green or silver. Even the least expensive of light sets usually come with one or two control bulbs (if they are blinkers and regular bulbs if they are not). Many Christmas light sets now come with a fuse box, as well, to protect against power surges that could burn out the bulbs.
- 2). Remove the controller bulb and replace it with one of the replacement bulbs that came with the set or that you may have had to purchase separately. Make sure to align the small copper wires on the base of the bulb with the receptacle contacts. The controller bulb is most susceptible to burning out because of its design that creates the blinking. There is a very tiny alloy strip that runs from a center post in the light to the filament. As the strip heats to a certain temperature it bends and opens the circuit and the the lights blink off. As it cools, it bends to its original shape, closes the circuit and the lights blink back on. The process occurs rather quickly so your lights flicker on and off every second or two. The repeated heating and cooling process eventually makes the strip very fragile and susceptible to breaking.
- 3). Check the fuse box on the string of lights if replacement of the controller doesn't fix the problem. Hopefully, the fuse burned out and needs to be replaced. Locate the fuse box, its about one-quarter the size of a Zippo lighter with a sliding plastic door usually located toward the plug end of the light strand. Slide open the door and carefully pop out the fuse using a very small screwdriver A close inspection of the filament in the fuse will usually reveal whether it has broken because of overheating. If you can't tell or aren't sure, replace it anyway to be on the safe side. If the lights still aren't blinking, go to step 4
- 4). Check every bulb on the string of lights. Remove the first one and replace it with a replacement bulb. If the string of lights remains off, replace the first bulb with the original and move on to light two, where you will repeat the process. Continue the process until you've found the faulty bulb.
- 5). Replace the single bulb that has burned out on strands with 3 or more wire leads. If the string appears to light but no longer blinks, the problem likely lies with the controller light bulb. Replace the controller light bulb, and it should blink again.
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