How to Fix a Broken Dimmer Switch in Your Home

a dimmer switch on a wall
  • 2-4 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 100
What You'll Need
New dimmer switch
Circuit tester
Screwdriver set
Wire nuts
What You'll Need
New dimmer switch
Circuit tester
Screwdriver set
Wire nuts

Fixing a broken dimmer switch is a very simple task which you can do in a matter of minutes. Instead of calling in a professional electrician, you can do the job yourself. With this guide and the right tools, you will be able to fix that broken dimmer switch in a jiffy and save yourself some money. Here’s how you go about doing the job.

Step 1 – Turn off the Power Supply

The first and most important step in working with electrical fittings is to turn off the power supply at the mains. Once you have turned off the main breaker assigned to that circuit, double-check with the circuit tester to make sure there is no power coming into to the switch.

Step 2 – Remove the Plate

Remove the switch plate by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place on the wall. Once you have removed the screws, you will be able to extract the dimmer switch that needs to be fixed.

Step 3 – Remove the Switch

Slowly pull out the dimmer switch but do not hold the metal parts of the switch. Pull the switch out far enough to expose the wires.

Step 4 – Remove the Wires

Use the screwdriver to remove the wires connected to the switch.

Step 5 – Buy a New Switch

Buy a new switch from the hardware store; you can take the old dimmer switch along with you to get a new one that is the same as the one you removed. While you are at the hardware store, buy the wire nuts for the wires.

Step 6 – Connecting the Wires

Connect the new dimmer switch to the wires that you removed from the old switch. Make sure you match the colors of the wires while connecting them together.

Step 7 – Wire Nuts

Place the wire nuts onto the wires you connected to help it stay secure. The wire nuts must be properly screwed on and make sure that there is no bare wire exposed.

Step 8 – Check the Wires

Tug the wires lightly to make sure they are properly connected, you do not want to have loose wires in your switch. Loose wires cause sparks and increase the risk of electrical fires.

Step 9 – Mounting the Switch

Gently push the wires to the back and fix the new dimmer switch back into its box, make sure no wires are sticking out.

Step 10 – Fix the Switch Plate

Fix the switch plate by driving the screws back into the wall.

Step 11 – Turn the Power On

Once you have finished replacing the switch plate, turn the power supply on from the main circuit breaker.

Step 12 – Check the Switch

Check the switch to see if it is working properly. If you find the switch is not working, check your connections once again.

That’s all you need to do to fix a broken dimmer switch in your home.