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Pre-lit Christmas Tree Lights Not Working

117 Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

January 5, 2010

We have a pre-lit Christmas tree that has worked for years beautifully, but this year the whole tree has been going out on us. The first time it happened we figured it was the main 5 amp fuse. We bought another and we were right, it lit again beautifully, but only for 1 day.

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We again put in a new fuse and have found that the tree will light for a few hours and then everything goes off. As soon as I change the main fuse it goes on again. Obviously we must have some sort of short somewhere but how do I find it?

By Sara from NJ

Answers

January 5, 20100 found this helpful
Best Answer

First and foremost, if I were you, I'd check with an electrician and make absolutely positive that your tree isn't going to short out and maybe cause a fire. If it were me, I'd trash the tree and find a new one. Sorry but the cost of a new tree is nothing compared to what the cost would be if it caused even a small fire. I once had a toaster short out and I was standing maybe 10 feet away. It scorched a spot on my wall about a foot wide and almost twice that up the wall before I could get to the electrical box and flip switches which took probably less than 90 seconds.

 
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December 2, 2014

I have a pre lit tree. Some of the lights are not working. When I replace them, the new bulbs are very dim. On the same strand, other lights are working fine. Any idea?


By D. Reed

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December 13, 20140 found this helpful
Best Answer

Our tree did same, replacement bulbs very dim. Solution is to use "super bright" replacements according to paperwork that came with tree. We bought, unknowingly, bulbs from Walmart that were "light keeper PRO. Hope this helps.

 
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November 18, 2014

Can you replace clear bulbs with colored bulbs on a pre-lit tree?

By Hansen

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November 21, 20140 found this helpful
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As far as I know, you can use any replacement bulbs that fit.

 
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January 11, 2014

I have a four section pre-lit LED Xmas tree. After five years, the top two sections remain fully lit. On the bottom two, some branches light up and some don't. If a bulb is removed from a branch that lights up, the rest of the lights stay on. Each plug for each section lights up some branches. I have changed out the fuses in each plug and still some branches don't light up. I have checked the wires and can't find any damage. Any suggestions?

By Randall

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January 12, 20140 found this helpful
Best Answer

When we've had that problem in the past, it has been a burned out bulb or a bulb that was not pushed in all the way somewhere in the unlit part.

 
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December 15, 2013

I have a female plug at the bottom with no male to plug into it. The tree is 3 sections; the middle has all the outlets.

By Mary D

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December 15, 20130 found this helpful
Best Answer

Have you used the tree before and has it worked. Someplace on the bottom tier there has to be a male plug. When I put my tree together, I always plug in the bottom layer, then when I do the next layer, I know when I get the next layer plugged in just right, etc. Putting these trees together and getting them working, can be a real pain, and there are times I feel like I almost stick my head into the branches to find the right connections, but by plugging in the first tier and then each successive tier after that, it is easier than not plugging it in layer by layer.

 
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December 7, 2013

I have a pre-lit Christmas tree and the top of the tree keeps blowing the fuse. The tree has three parts. The bottom and the middle are both working. I have changed the fuse four times now and the minute I plug it in the fuse blows instantly. I have plugged it into the tree and straight into the wall and it blows. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks.

By Chris

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November 30, 20140 found this helpful
Best Answer

The most likely cause of this is what is called a "dead short". This basically means that somewhere on that specific wire the strands of wire are bare and touching. This allows the electricity to jump between the two wires "sucking" more electricity than the fuse can handle causing it to blow.

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STOP plugging in this wire before you burn down the house. Just buy a cheap string of lights and plug them in where the tree's light would have gone.

 
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December 2, 2013

Many of the lights on our 4 year old prelit "constant on" tree do not light. We called customer service and we learned about the white-based fuse bulbs. Where can we buy them?

By Kathy G

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December 4, 20140 found this helpful
Best Answer

Hopefully this isn't too late since I could not find when you post this. The white fuse light is "nonremovable" and "nonreplaceable" or else the warranty is void (rolling my eyes). If your tree is no longer under warranty as is mine, there's a easy fix that does not include buying a new one as ge customer service suggested.

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Remove the white fuse light by twisting out the bulb from the white socket first then with a tweezer try to pry (not pull) it out. It's not easy to remove. It took a while. Put a replaceable bulb into the white socket and mold back the copper wire then put it back into the green socket.

 
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December 1, 2013

I have two skinny pre-lit trees, five feet each. One is only lit at the top and the bottom is out. The other is lit at the bottom and top is out. GRRRRRR! I have tried to check each light to make sure none are loose. They are only 2 years old and I hate it. Merry Christmas!

By Tracy

Answers

November 29, 20140 found this helpful
Best Answer

I had a similar issue. Do yourself a favor and find a Lightkeeper Pro. I found mine at Ace Hardware here locally. It as $14.99. Helped me fix my issue in less than 30 min.

 
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December 1, 2013

I have a Cosco/Kirkland pre-lit 1500 Constant on Christmas tree and two of the branches will not light up. I went through the lights, all are plugged-in and no wires are broken. When I was going through the bulbs I came a cross a bulb that was in a white plastic holder all. The other bulbs are in green holders. I can't get the white one out to check it. Is this a fuse bulb? If so can this be why my lights don't come on the two branches? Help me please.

By Stephanie

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December 23, 20130 found this helpful
Best Answer

I have had the same issue and I'm getting ready to take mine back to Costco. The first year I had the tree it was perfect. The issue you are having started for me the second year where those white encased bulbs started burning out. Why did they make an irremovable bulb that burns out easier than the others? I have no idea.

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If you twist and pull on the bulb it will come out and leave the white casing in. This will likely break the copper wiring from the bulb which will stay stuck in there. Get a pair of needle nose pliers and stick one side into the socket (unplug your lights first :)). Try gently pulling or scraping up to remove the white casing. If it doesn't come out easily, apply more pressure. If it comes up a little bit but is still stuck, just try getting a grip on the white casing and pull it out. It will likely tear slightly, but that's okay.

Get a replacement bulb from the little bag that came with your tree. Remove a bulb from the green casing. Make sure any broken wire has been removed from the white casing. Place the replacement bulb into the white casing so that the two wires go through the two holes in the bottom then fold the two wires up and then stick the whole thing back into the tree.

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The good news is I think I have replaced nearly all of my white encased bulbs over the last 2 years and the ones I have replaced seem to not burn out.

I also recommend plugging your tree into a surge protector.

 
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November 18, 2013

If the lights on a pre-lit tree are black, are they bad?

By Deb

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Bronze Request Medal for All Time! 59 Requests
November 23, 20130 found this helpful
Best Answer

Yes, it means that they have burned out.

 
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November 26, 2011

On the top portion of my pre-lit tree, a small strand of lights went out. I took out the white fuse light. Did I do anything bad to my tree?

By Sarah R.

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December 19, 20110 found this helpful
Best Answer

The problem is in the fuse bulb. It is a very bad design because it is not replaceable and when it blows the entire string goes out and this is a real problem on a pre-lit tree. Why there is a fuse bulb on top off the fuses in the plug itself is beyond me. On my tree, only one year old, five of the fuse bulbs had failed!

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GE sent under warranty three new strands but I really didn't want to thread them all in on top of the dead bulbs and wires, so I did this: (1) unplugged the tree (2) pulled on the fuse bulb until it came out (3) carefully, with an ice pick, levered out the white fuse bulb socket enough to use a pair of needle-nose pliers to fully remove it (4) with those pliers, molded it back into shape (5) from the spare bulbs, removed one from its green base and threaded it into the white base (6) put the bulb and white base back into the socket (7) with the needle-nose pliers, pushed it back down fully.

Result: A beautiful tree, fully lit again. Yes, this supposedly violates the warranty, but I already have three free new strands I'm now not going to use, but will keep just in case.
GE really needs to make that fusible bulb replaceable (and provide spares); otherwise, get rid of it entirely.

 
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December 29, 2016

This year I bought a Lightkeeper Pro, which did a wonderful job repairing several strands of lights on my pre-lit Christmas tree. We were watching TV last night and suddenly one strand (and I think it was one that had been repaired) suddenly blazed significantly brighter. The bulbs were very hot.

I turned it off for a bit, and when I turned it back on, that strand of lights was out. I'm hoping someone has a bit more knowledge of electrical circuits and explain this. I'm hesitant to try the repair again - and the heat put out by those bulbs makes me a little nervous about fire.

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
December 30, 20160 found this helpful

I would not use those lights. Just cover up that section of the tree with tinsel or different lights. Why risk a fire?

 

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December 31, 20160 found this helpful

I'm hoping this problem was just a disappointment and did not spoil any of your Christmas joys.

You will have plenty of time to buy replacement strands (probably on sale now) and be ready to just add lights on any part of the tree that causes a problem.

Please be sure to be safe and not overload any one area with added lights or you may have more than just Christmas tree lights.

Hope you and your family have a safe and wonderful fun-filled New Year celebration!!

 
January 13, 20170 found this helpful

I have a 7-foot GE EZ light Douglas fir, that had a dark strand. I replaced burned out bulbs, and I followed the repair of taking out the fuse bulb, removing the white socket, replacing the bulb with another one back in the white socket and returning the white socket with the new bulb to the strand. I plugged in the tree; the previously dark strand (where I had replaced burned out bulbs) burned brightly white for a few seconds (much brighter than the regular lights) and then burned out, wrecking the new bulbs. I wouldn't recommend this type of repair as it could be a fire hazard. I'm back where I started.

 
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December 2, 2013

Where can I find replacement bulbs that have a tapered end so they will slide all the way into the socket and fit the string of lights on my Xmas tree? It is a Noble fir purchased from Frontgate.

By Laury

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November 29, 20140 found this helpful

I'm having the same problem, can't find the tampered replacement bulbs for this type of miniature tree lights. Let me know if you find some!

 
December 13, 20140 found this helpful

Heavens to Betsy, I have the same problem! The bulb is longer than a mini-light string, and has a ridge (tapered shape) near the wires. It snaps into a plastic base with a "leg" that, when slid into the plastic base (the part that is wired to the tree), fits into a small hole.

I bought my tree in 2006 at American Sale in Illinois, and most of the bulbs are burned out. I have checked at the store, Ace Hardware (which sells the 3.5v bulbs that kinda fit, but are too powerful), and Menard's. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. A reverse image search on google was fruitless. Here is a snap of the two parts:

 
 
December 20, 20140 found this helpful

I have the same problem. We're late getting started with some of the indoor decorations for guest coming through this week but I noticed I have the a similar socket and the exact same kind of bulbs. I've been looking all over the internet and haven't found anything. Let me know if you find a manufacturer that at least sells the bulbs. I only have a few out and would like to replace them. As a kind of band-aid we strung lights around the tree to fill in the ones that are out. If I find replacements before you all I will list all of the information and website or company to get them from. If I can't then next year we may in the market for a new pre-lit tree. If that happens I will make sure the bulbs are close to standard and get extras...

 
December 30, 20140 found this helpful

10 Pack 2.5v Slotted Base Clear Replacement Christmas Light Bulbs.....key word is "slotted". You can buy from Amazon.

 
November 30, 20160 found this helpful

DONT BUY LIGHTS WHEN IF ONE BURNS OUT THEN NONE OF THEM WORK....ITS A PAIN IN THE A**...........i'll never buy them again....i have 4 strands on my tree, 1st one works but the 2nd doesnt, then 3rd one works but 4th one doesnt......makes no sense to me

 
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December 28, 2016

I believe the culprit is the male/plug at the bottom of tree. If I wiggle this the lights come back on. The plug has fuses. Can the plug itself be replaced safely?

thx

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
December 28, 20160 found this helpful

I have replaced a plug on my vacuum successfully. Cut the plug off. Bring to the store to get a similar plug. Look at the wire where you cut the plug. It will separate into two pieces. Strip the coating from these two pieces until the bare wire is exposed. Bend each end into a U shape. My plug separated as well, revealing screws on each side. Wrap the U shape around each post and tighten. Put the plug back together. You can see
videos on YouTube. It's quite easy. After I replaced the plug I then rewired a lamp. You can do it!

 

Silver Post Medal for All Time! 255 Posts
December 28, 20160 found this helpful

The lights are 99 cents a string at walmart or dollar general. When mine did this I simply pulled the old lights off the tree and replaced with new lights. They are just regular lights, but glued on, easy to swap out.

 

Bronze Answer Medal for All Time! 155 Answers
December 29, 20160 found this helpful

It sounds like a loose wire, and the plug can be safely replaced. Judy's instructions are as clear as you can get. I wouldn't advise on rewiring simply because our British system is different - we have a third, earth wire for safety.
There seem to be many complaints about these pre-lit trees; but at least it is fairly inexpensive to replace the strings of lights.

 

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December 30, 20160 found this helpful

It does seem there are a lot of complaints about the pre-lit trees but I also believe there are many satisfied owners as well.

I have several in different sizes and really like all of them.
Most were purchased at after-Christmas sales at very good prices so I do not mind if I have to add a few strings now and then.

My son replaces the plugs (on his and mine) when necessary, but it is so easy to just add inexpensive strings.

Why not buy some extra strings that are on sale right now and be ready to add them to your tree next year?

 
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December 10, 2018

I accidentally took a light off the tree and realised it's pre-lit. If I screw it back on will it work or do we need a new tree?


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November 27, 2018

We have a 7.5 GE Pre-Lit LED Christmas tree and unfortunately I didn't wait for my husband to put it together; I just did it myself. However, I didn't realize that I wasn't supposed to plug in the tree before having all the sections connected. So now none of the lights work and according to the pamphlet, it can cause electrical issues.

Is there any fixing this? The base of the tree worked before I connected the other sections. Help! I don't really want to spend another $400 on a tree right now. I called customer service, to no avail. Is this fixable somehow, or is this an expensive lesson learned?

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November 19, 2018

I found a broken wire on my Martha Stewart pre-lit Christmas tree. Can it be repaired?

Repairing a Broken Wire on a Pre-lit Tree
 

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December 6, 2017

When I turn on my pre-lit Christmas tree all the lights light, but within 5 minues one strand of lights goes out and won't come back on. Do you know what the problem is? The next day when I relight all lights are on and again 5 minutes later that same strand turns off.


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November 28, 2016

How do I get my prelit Christmas tree lights in sync?


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December 7, 20160 found this helpful

all lights need power and ground, if you show that you have current flowing but no illumination then you have a bulb out at or near the end preventing the circuit to be complete. try unplugging that string and turn the plug around to reverse the current. you should now see there is no current. now go spend $20.00 on a light keeper pro. you can follow the current to the point it ends, thats the problem bulb.

 
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November 30, 2014

I have a pre-lit tree that is about 3 or 4 years old. I put it together and plugged it in. None of the lights work? How do I fix it?

By Liz

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November 30, 20140 found this helpful

My solution would be to buy a couple 100 count strings of cheap lights and put them on the tree.

 
December 7, 20140 found this helpful

I'm still searching for a solution to the same problem you are facing. From what I found so far, there can be 3 causes for this issue:
1. Plugs in each section of the tree are not connected in the correct sequence.
2. Each plug in the tree has a small fuse compartment which you may have never noticed before. If fuse is black or looks burned, it needs to be replaced.

3. It could be a bad light bulb in a section of the tree. One bad light bulb can cause a whole section to not light up. To detect the bad bulb, you need something like Lightkeeper Pro which also comes with spare light bulbs. Sold on Amazon, Target or Home Depot.

 
November 27, 20160 found this helpful

For mine it's number 3. But I can't get the same light bulbs again. The ones that comes with the lightkeeper pro are not the same either. Mine are clear w. a green base. Any advise?

 
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July 17, 2013

My mama left me her pre-lit Christmas tree and her lifetime collection of antique ornaments. So, needless to say, I'm willing to do whatever it takes (short of setting my house on fire!), to fix this tree.

Anyway, last year when I plugged in the tree only 3, yes 3 sections of lights lit up. Please understand, 3 limbs "did not" light. Only 3 small sections out of about 500 limbs! At that point I went searching and found what I consider to be one of the hidden wonders of the world, "the Christmas Light Fixer Gun". And it was wonderful! It fixed "every" light on the tree with the exception of one portion of the very last limb on the bottom of the tree.

So, this year I was ready "to do battle" with my trusty fix-it gun. What a disaster! Part of the lights on limb sections would burn, half wouldn't. Various lights on various sections of limbs got "really" bright then burned out completely, some of the bulbs themselves were fine when I tested them, others were black in the center and completely blown to kingdom come. You should also know this tree has 16 strands of lights that all meet at the bottom of the tree. They don't plug in to separate outlets on the "trunk" of the tree. All strands of lights provide converge at the base of the tree.

I'm already facing one problem, the replacement bulbs I have, don't have wires long enough to fit in the green husk. Any information anybody can give me will be incredibly welcome. I do have one more question. Is there any such thing as a complete replacement light kit to replace the lights throughout the entire tree? Thank you for your time and hopefully your suggestions!

By Molly C-N

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 679 Feedbacks
July 19, 20130 found this helpful

First, I always wondered just how effective those Fix-it Guns are; I think maybe it's just a temporary fix?

Second, I don't know about replacement kits for specific pre-lighted trees; perhaps you could contact the manufacturer, if you still have that information. Was there a box, or a manual with the tree?

Third, if you try to replace the bulbs individually, you need to know the proper wattage to use. The wattage varies depending on the length of the light string; longer strings usually use lower wattage bulbs. If your tree's lights are all together on one string, they are probably 3.5 watt bulbs, or less. Again, the box or a manual, or even a tag on the cord somewhere might help.

I get Christmas bulbs and strings from a really nice company, 1000Bulbs; they have customer service people who are very helpful over the phone. Perhaps someone there can help you. The website www.1000bulbs.com, and they have an 800 number.

Good luck! If worst comes to worst, you can always take the old lights off and put new sets on. I recommend using several 35-light strands rather than longer ones, as the long ones are harder to handle - I know this from my own frustrating experience with a 100-light strand - never again! LOL!

 
July 21, 20130 found this helpful

I ran into the same problem with a pre-lit tree. I decided I was going to cut off all the wires and just use light strands. I am still cutting off those wires. They are wrapped on the branches in the craziest of ways and in every direction. If it wasn't for the fact it's such a beautiful tree, I'd just donate it and let someone else use it as they saw fit. But, I know when it's all said and done, I am going to have a very full and beautiful tree. Thought I might use it outdoors for seasons and holidays.

 

Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 337 Feedbacks
July 23, 20130 found this helpful

I would toss the tree (or donate it) and get a new one. The antique ornaments are worth cherishing; this tree sounds like more trouble than is worth to you.

 
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December 12, 2018

I have a pre-lit Christmas tree with white and coloured lights that is only 2 years old. It recently has started changing from coloured to white to blinking to off (cycling through the settings) randomly with me changing it via the remote or the remote receiver on the tree cord.

Any advice or reasons why this might be happening?

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December 6, 2018

We have a pre-lit tree from Home Depot. The lights have quit working. The tree is about 2 years old. The lights were working and then a couple of days after I decorated the tree they quit working. We have tried everything such as replacing bulbs and fuses, plugging into a different outlet, and an extension cord.

Any suggestions on what might be wrong? We used a tester and everything shows that it is getting power, but no lights.

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November 25, 2018

I have plugged in all three sections of our tree securely. I have used a meter to check the current through each section. I have confirmed a current. But there are no lights. What is next?


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December 11, 2017

I have a 7.5 Rocky Mountain pre-lit tree and it was bought last year. The top and bottom of the tree lights up; just a small part in the middle does not.

I have checked all the bulbs and found nothing. Any ideas?

Middle of Tree Not Lit - partially lit Christmas tree
 
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December 23, 2016

I have a new Christmas tree with lights already on the tree. Every few minutes all the lights go out for a few seconds and then come back on. What is the problem?


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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
December 31, 20160 found this helpful

Sorry that no one tried to answer your question before Christmas.
We must have missed it but I hope you found a solution or an answer on your own.

Since the tree is new it would be better to return it but if that is not possible perhaps you could make sure the outlet is not overloaded (being used by too many items for that particular area) as I have done that and mysterious things seem to happen other than just blowing a fuse.

I hope you and your family have a safe and happy new year.

 
January 4, 20170 found this helpful

The lights, most likely, are set to "flash" or intermittment. The type of fuse or bulb at the fuse makes this determination. Change that bulb and it should fix the problem.

 
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November 30, 2016

I have a small mini pre-lit tree that has only one strand of lights on it. Half the section has blown out (bulbs had black parts surrounding the inside). I tried the Light Keeper Pro and it didn't work. I ended up replacing every bulb and the lights came back on.

A few days later they stopped working again and I noticed all the bulbs had black on the inside again. What could be causing all the bulbs to blow at once? Any suggestions (besides stripping all the lights off and adding a new strand (which would be a brutal step).

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Anonymous
December 11, 20160 found this helpful

Different micro amp on bulbs you replaced. They should have looked brighter than original bulb.
Too much amp for bulb so it burnt out.

 
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November 30, 2016

I have a 4 section Sylvania LED tree. The top section, even though it is firmly plugged in, comes on and off. It's only three years old and well taken care of (no kids). I realize the contact is wanky, but how do I fix it?

The contacts are inline in the pole, similar to rca plugs. Each section just slides into the next automatically plugging in. Thanks!

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December 26, 2014

I bought a pre-lit Christmas tree last year, I noticed this year that some of the lights are not working. I have replaced the lights, but they are still not working. Is it possible to take all the light strings off and replace with new set of lights?

By Patty V.

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December 4, 20170 found this helpful

Yes. I have to do this about every 3 years.

 
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December 8, 2014

A whole section of our pre-lit Christmas tree has bulbs that are not working and black. We bought a light-keeper pro that shows there is no voltage in this portion. Is there anything we can do or are the lights done for good?

By Jon D.

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December 1, 2014

We have a pre-lit tree that is several years old. What does it mean when all of a sudden a section of lights starts burning brighter and hotter, then the section goes out? Many of the bulbs in that section look burned. It doesn't appear to be the whole string, just a section.

By Ted

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December 1, 2014

I have a artificial tree that has about a half of strand of lights that sometimes light and sometimes don't. I don't see any burnt out bulbs and all lights come on when they are on. I have tried using my trusty light gun when they are off. It brings them back to life for about thirty seconds and then they go off again. Any suggestions would be helpful!

By Brian

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November 25, 2014

I have a 2 year old pre-lit tree from Lowe's. All three sections of lights seem very dim this year. Any ideas on why?

By John

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