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The light on my garage door opener keeps getting loose in the light socket, causing it to not work. Giving it a slight turn to tighten it fixes it temporarily, but it comes loose again within a week or so. I'm assuming it's the vibration of the opener that's causing the problem.

How can I prevent the light bulb from coming loose in the socket?

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4 Answers 4

First unplug the opener. Now look in the light socket. See if the small metal tab at the bottom is nearly flat. Carefully pull it up a little bit so it applys more spring tension to the bulb. Also, they used to sell "rough service" Incandescent bulbs for openers, but I have had OK luck with compact fluorescents.

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Turn the power off before you do this, at the breaker. The switch is not enough - depending on how it's wired part of the socket may still be hot. The few seconds spent turning off the breaker is worth it to not be electrocuted. –  gregmac Jan 5 '11 at 3:47
Don't worry about shutting off the breaker, if you unplug the Opener. I've never known an electrical charge to cross to the "unplugged" opener, unless it's in a cartoon or on Ghost Hunters! –  user9436 Dec 2 '12 at 21:27
Most openers are connected by a standard receptacle/plug, where David's comment is accurate. If yours is hardwired, then turn off the breaker, like gregmac says. –  BMitch Dec 2 '12 at 22:35
On all 4 of my light sockets, the contact at the bottom of the socket AND the bulb were corroded. This was only after 4 years. I used sandpaper on both the socket contact and the bottom of the bulb and now have a great connection. –  Dan Buhler Jan 26 '14 at 6:07

Try a different brand of light bulbs. Another brand might have a slightly larger base or have a little bit more friction to prevent the bulb from loosening due to the friction.

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Take a pair of pliers and gently squeeze the socket to tighten it. This worked like a charm on my unit.Be gentle, as you don't want to break the components inside the socket.

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Try wrapping the threads on the light bulb with Teflon tape. That will give the bulb a snugger fit in the socket.

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Won't the Teflon tape break the electrical connection between the bulb and socket? –  Niall C. Oct 16 '13 at 0:11
Would something conductive like a piece of aluminum foil do the trick? –  Stephen Ostermiller Oct 16 '13 at 12:23
The teflon tape is safe. The foil... could cause sparking and overheating. Obviously you don't wrap the ENTIRE thread. –  Bryce Jan 27 '14 at 8:43

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