If your lights are buzzing, humming, or making a faint vibrating sound; especially at night when the house is quiet. You should NEVER ignore it.

Buzzing lights are one of the clearest signs of:

✔ loose wiring
✔ overloaded circuits
✔ dimmer switch issues
✔ failing light fittings
✔ switchboard faults
✔ voltage fluctuations

In Brisbane homes, especially older ones; electrical noise is often the first warning sign of a deeper problem behind your walls.

Here’s what buzzing lights REALLY mean.

1. Loose Wiring Connections (Most Common & Most Dangerous)

Loose wiring creates tiny gaps where electricity “jumps” across contacts.

This is called arcing, and it produces:

• Buzzing

• Crackling

• Sizzling

• Faint humming

At night, when everything else is silent, you finally hear it.

Loose wiring is a MAJOR fire hazard and must be treated as urgent.

2. Overloaded Circuits (Common in Brisbane Summers)

Running too many appliances on one circuit causes:

✔ voltage drops
✔ overheating
✔ light buzzing
✔ dimming + flickering

Aircon-heavy suburbs in Brisbane experience this a lot during heatwaves.

Signs of overload:

• lights flicker when appliances start

• buzzing only happens during peak usage

• powerboards everywhere

• warm power points

An electrician can rebalance or add dedicated circuits.

3. Faulty Dimmer Switches

Old dimmer switches; especially pre-2000s models, were not designed for LED lights.

LED + old dimmer = buzzing, humming, flickering.

Buzzing from dimmers means:

✔ mismatch with LED drivers
✔ loose dimmer contacts
✔ failing dimmer module
✔ excessive heat buildup

Replacing the dimmer solves this instantly.

4. LED Driver Problems

LED lights use drivers (tiny transformers) to convert power.

When a driver starts failing, you may hear:

• Buzzin

• Humming

• slight “whine”

• flicker under load

Drivers fail faster in Brisbane heat and humidity.

5. Voltage Fluctuations in Your Area

If your lights buzz and flicker randomly, even at night, it may be due to:

• grid fluctuations

• ageing street transformers

• storm season instability

• neighbourhood AC demand

This is common after heavy rain or storms.

A voltage test can confirm this quickly.

6. Switchboard Issues or Failing Components

A buzzing light can actually be a symptom of a noisy switchboard.

Older switchboards with:

✔ ceramic fuses
✔ burnt connections
✔ failing breakers
✔ overloaded busbars
✔ loose neutral

Can cause buzzing throughout your home.

If the switchboard ALSO buzzes or hums = treat it as urgent.

7. Faulty Light Fittings or Aging Transformers

Old halogen transformers or old-style fluorescent fittings make noise when failing.

Buzzing indicates:

• overheating

• loose coils

• ageing components

If the buzzing gets louder over time, the fitting is nearing failure.

8. Moisture in the Electrical System (Very Common in Brisbane)

Humidity = electrical noise.

Moisture can enter:

✔ outdoor fittings
✔ bathroom lights
✔ roof cavities
✔ poorly sealed conduits

When wiring becomes slightly damp, buzzing begins due to weak current flow.

This is extremely common after:

• storms

• heavy rain

• aircon condensation leaks

• roof leaks

9. A Failing Neutral Connection (DANGEROUS)

A loose or failing neutral connection can:

• cause fires

• damage appliances

• create voltage spikes

• make lights buzz or flicker

This is one of the highest-risk electrical faults in any home.

If your lights flicker AND buzz, call an electrician immediately.

Is Buzzing Ever “Normal”?

Only one case:

✔ Cheap LED globes sometimes make a minor buzz
but even then, a properly working system should be SILENT.

If you hear buzzing from walls, fittings, ceilings or the switchboard:

• it’s not normal

• it’s not safe

• it’s a warning sign

When Buzzing Lights Are an Emergency

Call an electrician IMMEDIATELY if:

• buzzing is loud

• the light feels warm

• you smell burning

• buzzing comes with flickering

• switchboard also hums

• the light turns off by itself

These are signs of overheating or wiring failure.

Buzzing Lights Mean Something Isn’t Right

Electrical noise is your home telling you:

“Something is loose, overloaded, or failing.”

In Brisbane’s climate, heat, humidity and storms; these issues get worse quickly.

Ignoring buzzing lights can lead to:

• electrical fires

• shocks

• damaged appliances

• switchboard failures

👉 Need your buzzing lights or wiring inspected in Brisbane?
Call Exclusive Electrical & Air! Fast, licensed, and reliable.

Your home should be bright. Not buzzing.