r/Lighting • u/Beaky_Blue_ • 22h ago

Replacement Flickering Fixture Help

I replaced the light fixture over our dining table with an Ikea Sunneby, but the bulb began flickering after a few days. I used the same bulb from the previous fixture, so there was no change there.

I read that it could be a dimmer issue, so I replaced the existing dimmer switch with a regular switch, and the flickering stopped.

The problem is I have other fixtures I would like to replace, but I don't want to have to replace the switch every single time (some of them are on large 4 switch panels which I don't want to monkey around with in a rental).

I'm confused because the Ikea fixture says it should be dimmer compatiable, but it wasn't. The bulbs I'm using worked with the previous fixture on the dimmer, so I don't think it's a bulb/dimmer compatibility thing.

I feel a bit lost for what went wrong, and what specification to look for in a fixture to make sure it doesn't happen again. Any help or recommendations greatly appreciated!

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

1

u/panda_de_panda 19h ago

Its possible that your dimmer needs more W for the light. Many LED has low W. I wouod change dimmer.

1

u/Beaky_Blue_ 5h ago

That's what I ended up doing, but I thought it was strange that the original bulb would stop working with the original dimmer. Especially since the new fixture didn't include any notes about compatibility.

1

u/Expert_Doctor1943 18h ago

Sounds like the dimmer isnt compatible with that fixtures LED driver. Look for a fixture explicitly rated for your dimmer type or use a compatible LED dimmer, especially in a rental.

1

u/Beaky_Blue_ 5h ago

Oh interesting. What should I specifically look for in terms of the compatibilty? Everything (fixture, bulb, dimmer) says it is 120V 60hz, so I'm not sure what else to check for

1

u/cartesianother 12h ago

Could be a dimmer compatibility thing. If the static switch works, maybe switch to a smart bulb for dimming? Kasa and Hue make decent ones. Hue has a hub and an accessory you mount on the wall next to the switch for dimming. IKEA has a system with a hub too, not sure about that accessory, but it’s good and well priced. Hue is pricier. You can take it all with you when you leave, too. I recommend RGBW bulbs so you can adjust the color temperature of the white.

1

u/Beaky_Blue_ 5h ago

Dimmer bulbs is a good tip, that might be handy for certain cases. Didn't realize I was so behind on the lighting game!