The light on my garage door opener keeps getting loose in the light socket, causing it to not work. Giving it a slight turn to tighten it fixes it temporarily, but it comes loose again within a week or so. I'm assuming it's the vibration of the opener that's causing the problem.

How can I prevent the light bulb from coming loose in the socket?


First unplug the opener. Now look in the light socket. See if the small metal tab at the bottom is nearly flat. Carefully pull it up a little bit so it applys more spring tension to the bulb. Also, they used to sell "rough service" Incandescent bulbs for openers, but I have had OK luck with compact fluorescents.

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    Turn the power off before you do this, at the breaker. The switch is not enough - depending on how it's wired part of the socket may still be hot. The few seconds spent turning off the breaker is worth it to not be electrocuted. – gregmac Jan 5 '11 at 3:47
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    Don't worry about shutting off the breaker, if you unplug the Opener. I've never known an electrical charge to cross to the "unplugged" opener, unless it's in a cartoon or on Ghost Hunters! – user9436 Dec 2 '12 at 21:27
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    Most openers are connected by a standard receptacle/plug, where David's comment is accurate. If yours is hardwired, then turn off the breaker, like gregmac says. – BMitch Dec 2 '12 at 22:35
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    On all 4 of my light sockets, the contact at the bottom of the socket AND the bulb were corroded. This was only after 4 years. I used sandpaper on both the socket contact and the bottom of the bulb and now have a great connection. – Dan Buhler Jan 26 '14 at 6:07

Try a different brand of light bulbs. Another brand might have a slightly larger base or have a little bit more friction to prevent the bulb from loosening due to the friction.


Take a pair of pliers and gently squeeze the socket to tighten it. This worked like a charm on my unit.Be gentle, as you don't want to break the components inside the socket.


Try wrapping the threads on the light bulb with Teflon tape. That will give the bulb a snugger fit in the socket.

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    Won't the Teflon tape break the electrical connection between the bulb and socket? – Niall C. Oct 16 '13 at 0:11
  • Would something conductive like a piece of aluminum foil do the trick? – Stephen Ostermiller Oct 16 '13 at 12:23
  • The teflon tape is safe. The foil... could cause sparking and overheating. Obviously you don't wrap the ENTIRE thread. – Bryce Jan 27 '14 at 8:43

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