How to Put a Light on an Exterior Door

Remove the screws on the light's top cover and remove it. These are usually thumb screws that can be twisted off by hand, though a screwdriver may be necessary if this is not the case. Squeeze the tabs on the battery cover to reveal the battery receptacle.

Insert batteries into the slots, matching up the plus and minus symbols for correct polarity. Snap the battery cover back on and reattach the top cover. Fully tighten the screws to prevent rainwater from leaking into the light.

Unscrew the light fixture from its mounting bracket. Determine the position on the door at which you wish to mount the bracket, measuring the door's width to find the exact center if desired. Hold the bracket in place and mark the position of the screw holes on the door with a pencil.

Set the bracket aside and drill pilot holes over the pencil marks, using a bit short enough that they will not penetrate all the way through the door. Hold the bracket in position again and insert the screws, tightening them with a screwdriver. Use screws of a length equal to or less than the depth of the pilot holes.

Hold the light fixture in place on the bracket and screw it securely on again.