Lights are an essential part of the Christmas Eve decoration. It changes the whole vibe, but a faulty light can ruin your preparations. Instead of discarding them, you can test and repair them quickly without making any effort. In this guide, we will deeply discuss the testing methods and tools that are required for quick repair. Tool for Testing Christmas Lights Before starting to repair the lights, you must know the important tools to use the right ones for effective troubleshooting. Initially, you will need a Christmas light tester that serves as an all-in-one tool to test and repair the lights with ease. If you don't have the tester, use a multimeter to check for continuity, voltage, and current. You will also need some basic tools, such as nozzle pliers and a screwdriver, to open the fuse cap and take it out. You should also have an electric tape to insulate the broken wires at any point for safety. How to Test Christmas Lights? Method 1: The Visual Inspection Check the Fuse: Fuses are a critical element for Christmas lights to handle any sudden power surge. However, their filament may be broken or blown out after a certain time. You can check the fuse by looking closely at the filament; if it is broken, the fuse will not work. Similarly, if you see blackened glass or cloudiness, it means that the fuse is blown out. Check for Physical Damage: Physical damage is usually found when the lights are stored for years. You must check the whole wire carefully for any exposed copper. It is also recommended to check the bulb holders for corrosion and loosening. Corrosion may also resist the current flow due to extreme exposure to moisture. Pets may also chew the wires, which may drastically damage them. The "Shaker" Test: The shaker test is one of the most common hacks to check the Christmas lights. It will help to identify the loose connections or bulbs without any complications. You should gently share the wires; it will flicker and indicate a loose bulb or broken wire. Quickly identify the faulty bulb and gently press it to tighten it. You should replace it quickly to resume the power. Learn more: How to Replace a Fuse in Christmas Lights Method 2: How to Use a Christmas Light Tester A Christmas light tester is one of the most helpful tools for troubleshooting the lights. The tester can quickly identify the faulty bulb by scanning and beeping. It is multifunctional, allowing you to check the fuse and the whole strip without hassle. With such a handy tool, it will be easier for you to repair the lights at home without any technical expertise. They also offer an option to repair the light by bypassing the faulty one and restoring power throughout the length. Let's see a step-by-step guide on how to use it. Step 1: Ensure that the light is plugged in during testing. Lay down the light and make sure there are no loops formed. Step 2: Turn on the tester and start scanning each bulb with its laser scanner. It beeps when the light is working and shows no response at the faulty ones. Step 3: After finding the faulty one, quickly replace the bulb with a new one. You can also bypass that point through the tester to make it operational without getting a new one. Method 3: How to Test Christmas Lights with a Multimeter A multimeter is another handy tool to check if the lights are working or not. It has a continuity mode, which is commonly marked as a diode symbol. In this mode, you will get a reading of less than one, which indicates your multimeter is working perfectly. Some advanced multimeters also beep when the circuit is completed. You can either test the whole wire directly or each bulb to determine the faulty one. Let's see how you can test the Christmas lights. Step 1: Before testing, please make sure that the lights are unplugged. Rotate the dial and point it towards the continuity symbol. Step 2: Check the multimeter by touching the probes to one another. If it shows the reading less than 1 or beeps, it means your multimeter is working fine. Step 3: Attach one probe to one end of the wire and the other to the other end of the wire to check the functionality. If it doesn't respond, it means there is a shortage or malfunction in the wire/bulb. Step 4: Check each bulb to find the actual faulty one and quickly replace it. The tool helps in the quick diagnosis of the faulty wire or bulb without any technical expertise. Christmas Lights Still Not Working? Upgrade to High-quality Lights If the Christmas lights are still not working, it means that they have undergone some serious damage. If the lights have multiple shortages and wiring damage, it will be difficult to repair and get them back to their original condition. Low-quality lights cannot withstand longer storage and moisture. The bulb's connection may get loose, or the wire may fail at multiple points. In this case, it is advised to use high-quality lights that can withstand longer. Lights like Govee Christmas string lights 2 come in affordable pricing and serve longer. Upgrading to premium-quality lights will let you enjoy the festive season every year. With multiple color options and better lighting effects, your home will have a lively feel. However, premium lights would be a little expensive, but they can last for many years without losing their quality. Explore and shop more Govee smart christmas lights >> FAQs about Testing Xmas Lights What is the easiest way to check Christmas lights? The easiest way is visual inspection, in which you can easily detect visible cutouts or broken bulbs. If changing the bulbs wouldn't work, check the fuse. What is the best tool for testing Christmas lights? A Christmas light tester or multimeter is the best tool to test the lights. Using these tools will let you easily reach the right spot. How to find out which bulb is out on a string of Christmas lights? The scanner in the Christmas light tester will let you find out the faulty bulbs. It doesn't beep on the bulb, which is out on a string. Is there a trick to finding a bad bulb in Christmas lights? The easiest way is to do a shake test, in which the flickering shows that there is a bad bulb nearby that should be replaced to maintain continuity. How to figure out why Christmas tree lights aren't working? Initially, you should check the power source and fuses. If they are working fine, test the wire and bulbs using a Christmas light tester or multimeter to find the root cause. Conclusion Repairing Christmas lights can be disturbing if you have low-quality lights with multiple damages. Choosing the right tools and proper knowledge is necessary to save time and quickly repair the lights. Repairing them will increase their life and also add safety. If the lights are seriously damaged, you can get a new one. This time, spend on a premium light. It would cost a bit more but would last longer and save you from the hassle of repairs.