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This guide is about removing a stuck light bulb.All ArticlesSolutionsQuestionsNewestOldestMost HelpfulLeast HelpfulMost AnswersFewest AnswersBest AnswersRelevanceQuestion: FlagBy Alex2How do I remove a light bulb stuck in the ceiling socket? By Alex from Naples, FL Answer guest (Guest Post) Flag0Best AnswerI have used gaffer's tape especially with floodlight or spotlight bulbs. Use a 6 inch or so strip of tape and tape about 1/2 of it at one side of the face of the bulb. Tape a second piece opposite the first. Take the end of each piece of tape and pull in the counterclockwise direction. Bulbs that I couldn't turn by hand or with rubber gripper can undone easily with tape. Duct tape or other film tape works as well but everyone should have some gaffer's tape around. Reply guest (Guest Post) Flag0Best AnswerFor a recessed bulb, like in a stove top cover, use a piece of tape on the bulb. Duct tape or packaging tape will work. Just get enough to cover the bulb and fold the remainder back.

Of course make sure the power is off. Reply By susan Flag0Best AnswerTurn off power at the breaker box. Take a potato cut in half for grabbing the bulb and turn, voila. Reply Flag0Thank you- totally brilliant when used with someone else's idea Of pointing the hairdrier into the cavity (Turned on , of course) I'd spent DAYS and DAYS being annoyed before this post . Ea Weight Loss Center Hauppauge ReviewsWoolly Reply Question: Flag0The metal part of my light bulb is stuck in socket of my curio stand. Washer Dryer Combo For CondoThe glass part broke off in my hand. Discount Wood Flooring New OrleansI unplugged the curio stand and have been working with needle nose pliers. The pliers are tearing through the metal part of the bulb.

I think if I continue it will eventually come loose. Is there any danger of electrical shock! I don't think I should have to turn off the power at the circuit box since I unplugged the curio stand from the wall. I have the patience to keep working at it with the pliers but my main concern is getting electrically shocked or knocked on my rear! By Samuel from Farrell, PA Answer By Marie S. Flag0Best AnswerIf you have unplugged the curio stand from the wall outlet you are fine. If the pliers keep tearing the metal, try this: Cut a potato so that it just barely fits into the socket. Push it down into the socket hard and turn the potato to the left. This should get the bulb base loose. Reply By Pixiedust7 Flag1Best AnswerSamuel, I have done this many times with broken bulbs, particularly Christmas bulbs which are often cheaply made and prone to the glass breaking or separating from the metal base. All you have to do is unplug the lamp or light string, wait a minute or so for any electrical charges to drain away, and then start twisting the metal base out with the needlenose pliers.

Before putting a new bulb in, wipe a tiny bit of petroleum jelly around the base of the new bulb, to keep it from rusting or corroding and sticking to the socket. Don't get the petroleum jelly on the contact point at the bottom, though, just on the threads. Next time you should be able to unscrew the bulb without having the glass break off. (Again, if the bulb is cheaply made, the glass part might come loose from the base anyway, but if you use the petroleum jelly on the base, it should come out easily.)If the glass breaks off from the base in a ceiling fixture, or other hard-wired fixture, then you do have to turn off the circuit breaker before removing the base from the socket. Turn off the wall switch for the fixture, and then turn off the circuit breaker for that fixture. Wear rubber-soled shoes and use a wood or fiberglass ladder - not metal. A portable LED lantern can be a help while working on the problem. I also recommend wearing work gloves to protect your hands from the broken glass and the sharp metal from the base of the bulb, plus a pair of wrap-around work goggles to protect your eyes from shattered glass.

Remember, an intact bulb might shatter while you're trying to loosen it. Be safe, and good luck! Reply By Diane Flag0As long as you pulled the plug from the outlet you will ok. Electricity needs the plug to be in the outlet in order to go to the light. Reply By Louise B. Flag0Once a lamp is unplugged, there is no electricity flowing through the line. You do not have to wait for it to "drain out". It is not like water in a garden hose. Reply Tip: FlagBy Tahloolabelle5Having to change a "stubborn" light bulb from your freezer or refrigerator, not wanting it to break in your hand? Take a hairdryer to it! Aim the air at the base of the bulb's area where it screws in and it will unleash the grasp on the bulb and you are ready to install the new bulb. By Trisha from Ventura, CA Comment Question: Flag1I have a very small light bulb stuck in my stove hood that I cannot remove. It is hard for me to get any kind of a grip on it because it isn't sticking out very far. By Mary R from Eagan, MN Answer By Sandi/Poor But Proud Flag0Most likely someone put the wrong size bulb in.

If there is someone with maintenance skills that can help, I would take that route first. You can always try a pliers but you should wear protective eye gear, in case it breaks. However, is there something very close to it that can be removed like the vent cover, knobs or brackets? I hope these have helped. Reply By Catherine Cruz Flag0If you have one of those flat rubbery holders for opening tight jars, maybe you could fit the edges around the bulb and get a grip that way. Reply By Macie4 Flag0Have you tried using a pair of pliers? Should help Reply By vicki hood Flag0Electric off. Cut a potato, mash the cut part over the part and turn counter-clockwise. When you install the new bulb, rub the thread in your scalp. It gives just enough oil to keep bulb from corroding in socket. Reply Question: Flag0I have a recessed spotlight in my kitchen ceiling that seems to be corroded because I can't twist it out. I have no way of doing the tape wrap trick either as it is too recessed to work around.

Any suggestions as how to remove without shattering the light bulb? By JL Answer By Carol Flag01. Make sure the switch is OFF2. Try squirting WD40 or some other lubricant around the base of the bulb and wait a few minutes...no luck? 3. Be very careful. Hold bulb and gently tap with a hard object to break it. Once broken clear glass so metal base rim is exposed. Using needle nose pliers grip the rim and gently wiggle while using a rotating motion in the direction you would use to unscrew the bulb naturally. The rim may start to bend...I've had them a bent mess but no matter. Presevere until it is removed. Another squirt of WD40 may help this process. 4. When replacing the bulb smear the base of the new bulb with vasolene so this won't happen again... Carol Reply By Irena W. Flag0My ceiling light in the kitchen also was stuck when it burnt out. No way to get my fingers around the bulb because the bulb was so far recessed. I put a piece of clear packing tape (duct tape would have worked too but I was too lazy to go to the garage and packing tape was in my desk) on it with pieces hanging down on both sides, grabbed the two pieces and pulled in opposite directions.

The bulb turned as if it had been greased and came right out. Reply Flag0I had the same problem, get the tape up the sides using a butter knife, etc. The tape is the only thing that works. I was able to grip the vise grip pliers on the bulb once I had the edges taped.I broke the bulb out of the base and removed the base with needle nose pliers. ( with the power off of course ). Then lubricate jemust the threads in the new bulb so it won't be a problem next time. PS Potatoes are goid to eat later to relieve the stress. Not to remove a "stuck" bulb. Reply Flag0Ihad the same problem with a bulb ina recessed light fixture. We have to use a ladder to reach this fixture - the bulbs do not get changed very often. Hence we were going to change all 3 bulbs. Two wouldn't come out. We read the idea of a suction cup to give turning power. A suction cup was found ( it was on the end of a hook that I put on my oven door to hold a towel ) IT WORKED PERFECTLY. Reply Question: Flag0The exit sign bulb went out.