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Garden Lights Not Working
Your garden or outdoor lights have stopped working or are not coming on at all.
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What's happening?
Garden lighting includes a wide range of installations from low-voltage LED path lights to mains-voltage bollard lights and wall-mounted fittings. When they stop working, the cause is usually a failed transformer, a damaged cable, or a faulty fitting. Low-voltage garden lights (12V) are less dangerous than mains-voltage outdoor lights.
What usually causes it?
- Failed transformer or driver unit for low-voltage LED garden lights
- Damaged cable from gardening activity (digging, mowing, strimming)
- Corroded connections at junction boxes or light fittings
- Tripped MCB or RCD on the outdoor lighting circuit
- Timer or photocell sensor not set correctly or has failed
Is it dangerous?
Low-voltage garden lights (12V) pose minimal shock risk, but mains-voltage outdoor lights (230V) are dangerous if cables are damaged. If you suspect a mains cable has been cut by a spade or mower, do not touch it. Turn off the circuit at the consumer unit immediately.
Can I fix it myself?
For low-voltage LED garden lighting, check the transformer is plugged in and working, and inspect visible cable connections for damage or corrosion. Replace any blown bulbs. For mains-voltage lighting, only check the consumer unit for tripped MCBs. Do not attempt to repair mains-voltage outdoor wiring yourself.
When should you call an electrician?
Call an electrician if you have mains-voltage garden lights that are not working, if you have accidentally cut through a cable while gardening, if the outdoor circuit keeps tripping, or if you want to install new permanent outdoor lighting. Any new mains-voltage outdoor circuit requires Part P notification.
What will the electrician actually do?
- Trace the outdoor lighting circuit and test for cable damage or breaks
- Inspect and clean corroded junction boxes and connections
- Replace failed transformers, drivers, or light fittings
- Repair or replace damaged buried cables with correctly rated armoured cable (SWA)
- Test the completed circuit and issue appropriate certification
What will it cost to fix?
£80–£200
Fault-finding and repair on existing garden lighting. New outdoor lighting installations with buried armoured cable start from around £400.
Find an electricianFrequently asked questions
We’re happy to answer all your questions.
Why have all my garden lights stopped working at once?
If all lights on a circuit failed simultaneously, the most likely cause is a failed transformer (for low-voltage systems) or a tripped MCB or RCD (for mains-voltage systems). Check these first.
Can I bury garden lighting cable myself?
Low-voltage (12V) cable can be buried at a shallow depth for decorative lighting. Mains-voltage cable must be SWA (steel wire armoured) buried at the correct depth, and installation should be done by a qualified electrician.
My lights come on during the day — why?
The photocell or dusk sensor may be faulty, dirty, or positioned where it is shaded during the day. Clean the sensor or reposition it so it can detect daylight properly.
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