Pool lights look pretty at night and honestly make your pool feel more alive. Also safer. Whether you have a fancy pool patio or just a basic setup, the light in the pool is important. But these lights do stop working one day, and then everyone gets annoyed. The good thing is, you can change out a pool light yourself. It’s not as scary as it sounds, though some steps feel weird if you’ve never done it.This guide covers how to change out a pool light, how to replace the bulb, what you should look for, and when it’s best to hire a pool specialist. Also, I’ll be answering some often asked questions.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Change a Pool Light
Changing underwater pool lights may appear to be a daunting task, but it is primarily a matter of caution. Be patient. Yes, patience is required because the screws can be resistant.
1. Turn Off the Power
First and foremost, turn off the electricity.
Find your electrical panel and turn off the breaker or whichever button controls the pool light. Some pools have individual light switches, whereas others do not. If you’re confused, simply shut off everything.
Electricity + water = no jokes.
2. Remove the Pool Light Fixture
Most people are surprised that you don’t have to drain the pool. You can literally remove the fixture while it’s still full of water.
Here’s how:
- Look for the single screw on the top of the light.
- Unscrew it. Sometimes it feels stuck and annoying.
- Gently pry the fixture out. It might resist a bit, don’t panic.
- Pull the fixture up onto the pool deck, there’s usually extra cable curled behind it.
It feels strange the first time. The fixture just floating up like that. But yes, that’s how they’re built.
3. Disassemble and Replace the Bulb
Now the fixture is sitting on the deck. You’ll see screws or clamps holding the lens.
- Open them.
- Separate the lens. The rubber gasket will come out too, or it might stick somewhere awkwardly.
- Remove the old bulb by turning it.
- Put the new bulb in. Make sure it’s the right one. Pool bulbs are particular, wrong wattage creates drama later.
If you’re switching to LED, great. Same steps, just a better bulb that lasts longer.
4. Reassemble and Reinstall the Fixture
Put everything back:
- Clean dust, algae bits, or anything gross inside.
- Check the gasket. If it looks tired or too floppy, replace it.
- Close the lens again and tighten the screws (not too loose, not too tight, this part gets awkward because you never know what’s “just right”).
- Coil the cable behind the fixture.
- Put the fixture back into its place and tighten the screw.
If the fixture doesn’t sit flat or keeps popping out, don’t start arguing with it. That usually means something deeper is wrong.
5. Test the New Pool Light
- Turn the power back on.
- Flip the light switch.
- If it turns on, yay. Good job.
If it doesn’t:
- Power off again
- Check the bulb again
- Check the sealing
- Try once more
If it still doesn’t glow, then probably the wiring is being dramatic and needs an expert.
Pool Light Maintenance Tips
These aren’t fancy “expert” secrets, just simple things people forget:
These are not any fancy expert secrets or anything technical. They are the little things people do not remember or take note of until when the pool light unexpectedly goes dead and everybody starts freaking out. The majority of them are extremely simple habits that only extend the duration of the light.
Use LED if possible
LEDs have a much, much longer lifetime than halogen lamps. They do not get heated as much, they do not start burning at any given stage and they also use less energy. You may pay more initially but in all reality you save money in the long run since you are not replacing them every year. LEDs are also better at dealing with the bizarre weather.
Check the gasket
It is a small rubber ring that brings all the trouble. In case the gasket is slightly weak, cracked, dry or warped, it allows water into the fixtures. And when the water gets in, the bulb will die, the fitting will rust and the entire mechanism ends up being a pain. All you have to do is look at the gasket of the fixture every time you open it, 10 seconds. It will spare you the money and tension in the future.
Do not keep the light green when it is dry
The lights in the pool are made in such a way that they are cooled down by water surrounding the lights. When the light is half covered because of lowering water level, it heats up quickly and burns. Sometimes it even pops. Humans do not know this until it occurs and thus, before turning on the light, it is always good to check the level of water.
Tighten screws occasionally
The screws which fasten the piece of the lens and the piece of the fitting are not always tight throughout. Gradually, they are loosened by vibrations, weather and mere normal use. And loose screws admit water to creep in–month after month–before it can be detected. It is only necessary to tighten every now and then to ensure that the entire thing is well sealed.
Maintain your pool chemistry at normal
Unbalanced or acidic pool water silently is eroding metal components, undermining the fixing, and destroying the gasket sooner. Corrosion appears gradually such as rust around screws or crusty edge on the fixture. The water chemistry does not merely keep the water clean, it will also preserve the lights, the ladder and the rails, in short, most things.
When to Call a Professional
Honestly, DIY is fine until it isn’t.
Call a pro when:
- The light still doesn’t work after the bulb replacement
- You see water inside the fixture
- The screw is rusted and refuses to move
- The wiring looks chewed, old, or suspicious
- You’re upgrading to LED systems or smart lighting
- You just don’t feel confident anymore
Professionals fix it fast and without stress. They also deal with annoying screws better than most of us.
FAQs
1. Can you change a pool light without draining the pool?
Yes, you totally can.
The construction of the pool lights is such that the entire light is removable when the pool is full. It is a strange feeling at first as you think there is some big rush of water you are about to burst but it is nothing extraordinary. The light is enclosed, and thus, it will not be damaged to remove the light.
2. How much does it cost to change out a pool light?
The cost honestly depends on what exactly needs fixing. Rough estimate:
Regular halogen bulb: around $50–$150
LED upgrade: usually $200–$600+
Full fixture replacement: can go from $400 to $1,200, depending on the brand and setup
If the fixture is old, corroded, or the gasket needs replacing, the price goes up a bit. Commercial pool lights usually cost more because the setup is more complicated.
3. Can you change a pool light underwater?
It is all right to remove the fixture when it is in the water. However, the real bulb replacement is carried out on the deck of the swimming pool. So it is sort of half underwater, half not. You do not open the one under the water as would naturally break the bulb and the fitting.
4. How long does a pool light usually last?
Halogen pool bulbs have a normal lifespan of 1-2 years, depending on the use. LEDs have much longer life usually 7-15 years and they do not burn out as frequently. When a light is dying prematurely, it is most likely a gasket leak or a problem with the chemistry of the pool water interfering with the fix.
5. Do pool lights use a lot of electricity?
Not really. Halogen lights use more power, but modern LED pool lights barely use much electricity. LEDs are pretty cost-efficient and can run for hours without making a noticeable difference on your monthly bill.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to change a swimming pool light is useful, even if the process feels awkward the first time. Once you do it, it becomes less intimidating. Still, if the wiring looks scary, the fixture feels jammed, or you’re planning to upgrade, just call a professional.
DB Pool and Spa can help with all kinds of pool light work, plus they guide you with pool deck ideas, pool patios, and even planning how much it costs to build a pool.
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