How to Remove a Broken Bulb From Recessed Lighting

Broken bulbs in a recessed light pose a hazard to anyone that comes in contact with them and they can be difficult to replace. The exposed glass can cut your hands and arms, and falling glass can land in your eyes, causing irritation or serious injury. Recessed lights make removing the broken bulb a little more difficult because the base of the bulb is up farther in the ceiling or wall, making it more challenging to reach. Protecting your hands and face, and using tools that make it easier to access and remove the broken base, ensures you complete the job safely and successfully.

Tarp or sheet
Ladder
Potato
Knife
Protective gloves
Eye protection
Pliers

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the power to the socket at the breaker.
- 2
  Lay a tarp or sheet on the floor underneath the damaged bulb.
- 3
  Stabilize a ladder underneath the light fixture.
- 4
  Cut a potato in half with a knife.
- 5
  Put on a pair of protective gloves to prevent cutting your hands and eye protection to safeguard against falling shards.
- 6
  Climb onto the ladder to reach the light, taking with you the cut potato and a pair of pliers.
- 7
  Press the cut half of the potato firmly into the recession so that the glass sticks into the potato. Or, if that doesn't work, insert the closed pliers into the bulb base as far as you can and open them up so the tips meet the sides of the bulb base.
- 8
  Firmly twist the potato or pliers counterclockwise to loosen and remove the bulb.

How to Troubleshoot an LC200 GTO Wire Splice

How to Disconnect Wires From Outlets

Electrical Repairs