Q&A for How to Change a Light Bulb

There are a few possibilities, including loose connections, a bad switch, a faulty ballast, and bad bulbs.

Try the potato method: Take a potato, slice it in half (crosswise) and push the cut end onto your broken light bulb. This should help you to twist the bulb out of the socket. See How to Remove a Broken Light Bulb with a Potato for more details.

Most outdoor fixtures have a cutout at the bottom that allows you to remove and replace the bulb. You may need to unscrew the cover in some cases. Refer to any labels that tell you how to change the bulb.

Be careful here. Turn off the power at the fuse box, and put on a pair of gloves. Unplug the fixture if there's a plug. Then, try using a pair of pliers. Use the pliers to grab the base of the broken light bulb, and turn it. It should come out. You can also use the pliers to remove any remaining bulb shards in the fixture. Remember, the shards are sharp, so be careful.

You can buy a small suction type tool to remove a stuck bulb at many hardware stores. As always, make sure the power is turned completely off at the fuse box before you attempt this. Put the suction cup on the stuck bulb. Twist to the left. The suction will provide additional grip, making it easier to remove the bulb.

Look at the top of the bulb while it is off. You will see the brand name, the rated wattage, and the brightness.