Your LEDs flicker on the dimmer? Here’s why
Since you switched to LEDs, the dimmer makes your lights flicker or buzz? It’s not your bulbs — it’s an easy-to-fix incompatibility. Here are the causes and the solution.
LEDs flickering or buzzing?
You replaced your bulbs with LEDs, and ever since, on the dimmer, they flicker, buzz, or refuse to dim all the way down. Rest easy: your bulbs aren’t ‘crazy.’ The culprit is almost always an incompatibility between the dimmer and the LEDs.
An old dimmer built for incandescent bulbs
It’s not made for the low load of LEDs — hence the flicker.
‘Non-dimmable’ bulbs
Not all LEDs can be dimmed: you need bulbs marked ‘dimmable.’
A mix of different bulb brands
On the same dimmer, they don’t react the same way.
Too little load for the dimmer
A few small LEDs can fall below the dimmer’s minimum.
It’s a simple fix
In the vast majority of cases, we replace the dimmer with an LED-compatible model and make sure the bulbs are ‘dimmable’ and from the same family. The flicker disappears, and dimming becomes smooth all the way down. It’s the kind of small fix that completely changes the comfort of a room.
For smooth, stable dimming
An LED-compatible dimmer
We install a model designed for LEDs, at the right rating for your load.
The right bulbs
‘Dimmable’ LEDs, ideally the same brand, for a uniform response.
A fine-tune
Many dimmers have a minimum setting: we adjust it to eliminate flicker.
Lights that flicker?
We install the right LED-compatible dimmer and fix the flicker for good. CMEQ member · RBQ licence · 5-year warranty.
What people ask us
Why do my LEDs flicker with the dimmer?+
Almost always because the dimmer isn’t made for LEDs. Old dimmers are built for the heavy load of incandescent bulbs; the low load of LEDs makes them flicker. The fix is an LED-compatible dimmer.
Can all LED bulbs be dimmed?+
No. Only LEDs marked ‘dimmable’ dim properly. A regular LED on a dimmer will flicker, buzz or fail to turn off fully.
Why won’t my LEDs dim all the way down?+
Often because the load is below the dimmer’s minimum, or the minimum setting isn’t adjusted. A compatible dimmer, properly set, dims smoothly all the way down.
Is the buzzing dangerous?+
Usually not, but it’s a sign of incompatibility. If a dimmer or switch also gets hot on top of buzzing, then it needs to be checked promptly.
How much does it cost to replace a dimmer?+
It’s a small job. At Groupe Quenneville, a regular service call is $150 plus $140/hr (1 hr minimum). We install the right dimmer and fine-tune everything — 514-503-1353.
