Probably everyone knows this one but me, but what do you do about those stinky Christmas lights that don't light? Or half the string works and half doesn't. Is there an easier way than checking bulb by bulb? We have one set of lights that only the yellow ones don't work. And all of our lights are less than two years old. Frustrating! Is there a quick fix for this problem?

A trash can and buy a new set comes to mind real fast.

They do make a tester to use to find the problem area. Walmart and Home Depo and Lowe's all had them this year ( before Christmas)

I partly agree with Chuck. Yes, trash them. Just don't buy more like them. There are some other technologies coming out. Over 30 years ago, I bought 6 sets and 5 of them have escaped the trash can so far. I bought them at Sears, and they weren't cheap junk. Can't say the same for the stuff I bought more recently at Big Lots. There were 3 light sculpture angels went in the trash last week. They have spoiled my Christmas spirit for the last time. I went to Wal-Mart the day after Christmas and bought a Nativity scene that each figure has a single conventional bulb. Last year my son gave us an angel for the top of the tree that has one halogen bulb and light guides. I think some of the newer stuff uses fiber optics. As far as I am concerned, those things were a dumb idea whose time has passed.

I have a voltage detector. I came across the niftiest gadget for trouble shooting, a voltage detector. They work through the insulation of wires. There are several brands. I have a GB Instruments GVD-505A, less than $15 at Home Depot. Touch it to a hot wire, and the end glows red. Find the doodad that lights it on one side, and not the other, and you have the culprit. You do not have to open up housings and expose electrical contacts. You are looking at where your hand is, not where the meter is.

Even with it, it took about an hour to get the angels lit. Better they got trashed than my Christmas spirit again.

Labman I think you and I just bought the same navity scene I did the same thing after christmas, and got a few of the animals to go around it,
There already sold out of the wise men ( who of course were not bibically at the manger anyway but showed up latter after Jesus was in a house)

But anyway, yes they have a voltage detector they sell just for christmas lights, it wold about 5 bucks this year. I was lucky my angles were big and metal, so I merely pull the old stands out and put the new strands in.

I run over 6000, lights, ( sort of a glow) so I know the feeling of lights not lighting

All my Wal-Mart had were camels, not the first thing I would add. I think I am going to stick with just the Holy Family. It fits nicely between my front door and the end of the porch where the outlet is. It makes the statement I want to in a simple, quiet way. Maybe without those angels, I can take an extra shift at the Salvation Army kettle.

I bought a light tester, it senses current flowing in the wiring you place it near the wiring and a red led lights up if its got juice, when the glowing stops you have found the bad bulb.

I must agree with the others its not worth it unless your anal like me! Aaahhhhhh
Frank. I bought a few at the hardware store for my neighbors, tHEY HANG lights then they don't work...