Understanding Pre-lit Christmas Trees
A pre-lit Christmas tree that does not work is definitely one of the most frustrating things ever! But here are some helpful instructions on troubleshooting and fixing issues common to pre-lit Christmas trees:
With pre-lit trees, you can typically solve most problems quickly and easily. Most tree problems occur when lights go out or when the tree is first assembled.
You can perform tests on the light strings to determine if a bulb is defective, or you can simply replace the light strings with working ones.
Starting the Troubleshooting Process
Below are the most commonly occurring issues related to pre-lit Christmas trees, along with their solutions:
Stacking multiple plugs together on the tree can make it more likely for a section to stay off or even flicker if one of the plugs has come loose. So ensure that all plugs are securely attached.
In trees with power poles or one plug design, you should check each section between the poles where they connect to make sure there’s nothing blocking the connection and the plugs are properly seated.
Make sure the plug fuses are in good shape. Open the plug and check for or replace burnt fuses. And if the problem persists, try connecting the strand to an extension cord.
If all the fuses look okay or replacing them does not seem to solve the problem, then the fault might exist with a bulb or even the wiring itself. Replace any faulty bulbs with another.
And to fix the wire issue, remove the wires and replace them with a new string of lights.
To keep your trees for as long as possible, all of the light wires may need to be removed (trimming them with wire cutters makes the job go more quickly). Then you can restring the tree with lights, allowing you to enjoy it for even longer!
Using a bulb tester can prove helpful if no bulbs are damaged. You can find them online or in any of the big-box hardware stores around.