How to Stop Fluorescent Light Hum

Fluorescent lights are an inexpensive alternative to incandescent lighting. A "starter" transformer module inside the fluorescent lighting fixture ignites the gas inside the fluorescent tube so that light is emitted. If a starter module malfunctions, the fluorescent light will emit a noise similar to a "humming" sound. The solution is to remove and replace the starter with one that is fully functional. Household tools are required as is a basic understanding of the workings of electric lines in the home.

Ladder
Phillips screwdriver
Replacement starter

Instructions

- 1
  Turn the fluorescent light's switch on -- if the fluorescent light is already on, ignore this step. Go to the fuse box and flip the circuit breaker that controls the electricity going to the fluorescent light. Check that the light has now gone out -- this is verification that the electricity has been turned off. Turn the fluorescent light's switch back off.
- 2
  Place a ladder beneath the fluorescent light if it is on the ceiling; if the fluorescent light is inside a drop-ceiling, lift the translucent tile beneath the light out from the side braces it is lying on and place it aside.
- 3
  Remove the screws from both sides of the fluorescent light fixture's cover grille, using a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the grille off and place it aside. If there is no grille, ignore this step.
- 4
  Grip the center of the fluorescent tube in one hand. Grip an end of the tube in the other. Twist the end closest to your hand counterclockwise. Slide the end of the tube out of the slot it is in. Slide the other end of the tube out of the slot it is in. Place the tube aside.
- 5
  Locate the metal square -- the "starter" -- that is at one of the inside ends of the fluorescent light fixture. Grip the starter. Twist the starter a quarter-turn clockwise. Pull the starter out of the connection in the fixture. Place the starter aside and dispose of it later at a recycling center.
- 6
  Line up the pins at one end of the replacement starter with the holes in the connector that the other starter was inside of. Push the pins of the starter into the holes in the connector. Twist the starter a quarter-turn counterclockwise.
- 7
  Line up the pins at both ends of the fluorescent tube with the slots at both ends of the fixture. Slide the pins into the slots. Twist the fluorescent tube clockwise.
- 8
  Place the grille back over the tube, on the fixture, and reattach the screws. If there is no grille, ignore this step.
- 9
  Place the translucent tile back on the braces in the ceiling to cover the fluorescent light; if there is no tile, ignore this step. Place the ladder away. Flip the circuit breaker at the fuse box to the ON position to restore electricity. Turn on the fluorescent light's switch to illuminate the fluorescent tube.

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