Ask Me Help Desk - One Light Stopped Working on a Track of 3

We have a track light that has been up for a year with no problems. One bulb burned out (we thought). We got a replacement bulb from the hardware store and changed it, but the bulb still won't work. We checked and the bulb is the correct type. It plugs in fine, fits snug, and everything seems fine... except, no light. What else can be wrong with a track light? We are inexperienced with this type of fixture. Thanks.

Mostly likely the contact eyelet at the center bottom of the socket needs to be pulled up slightly, to make contact with the bottom of the lamp. Remove the track head, and you may be able to pull up a bit with your finger nail, or a small screwdriver. Only bend it up a fraction, maybe a 1/16" no more than an 1/8" inch.

If this is the reason, do the same to all the other track heads.

If this is not then it may be a bad contact between the track head contacts and the track.Sometimes just moving the head allows the two contact points on the track head to meet the track bus bars inside the track.

When you take the head off, inspect both contacts on the head, and also the busbar in the track for pitting. Steel wool, a small file, or sand papar will clean the metal.

Thank you. We will try it and hope for the best.:)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkrussell

Mostly likely the contact eyelet at the center bottom of the socket needs to be pulled up slightly, to make contact with the bottom of the lamp. Remove the track head, and you may be able to pull up a bit with your finger nail, or a small screwdriver. Only bend it up a fraction, maybe a 1/16" no more than an 1/8" inch.

If this is the reason, do the same to all the other track heads.

If this is not then it may be a bad contact between the track head contacts and the track.Sometimes just moving the head allows the two contact points on the track head to meet the track bus bars inside the track.

When you take the head off, inspect both contacts on the head, and also the busbar in the track for pitting. Steel wool, a small file, or sand papar will clean the metal.