How to Fix or Replace Fluorescent Light Starters
- 1). Turn off the power to the circuit that delivers power to the light. If the switch is nearby, it's safe to turn off the switch since you're not actually dealing with any wires, but if the switch is out of your line of vision, play it safe and turn the circuit breaker off.
- 2). Remove the fixture cover if it has one. Shop fixtures usually do not, but in-home fluorescent fixtures do in most cases. Use the screwdriver to remove any necessary screws or open any tabs securing the cover in place.
- 3). Remove the fluorescent tubes one at a time by turning the tube 1/2 turn until the pins on the end of the tube are aligned with the slot on the socket. Once aligned, simply pull the tube out of the socket. The starter is directly behind the tubes. It's a round cylinder that's sticking out of the fixture. It is usually silver or white and may feature a red reset button on the end.
- 4). Press the red reset button if the starter has one and put the tubes back in the light fixture. Turn the circuit back on and test the light to see if it turns on. If it doesn't work, turn the circuit back off, remove the tubes again and continue to the next step.
- 5). Grasp the starter with your fingers and give it a 1/4 turn clockwise. This will unseat the two posts on its other end. Once the starter is loosened, simply pull it out.
- 6). Install the new starter, reversing the process of removing the original one. Set the two posts in their sockets and give the starter a 1/4 turn counterclockwise until it snaps in place.
- 7). Replace the fluorescent tubes and cover lens if the fixture has one and turn the circuit back on.
- 8). Turn the light switch on to test the new starter.
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