How To Remove A Light Fixture

Need to update your light fixtures from those boring contractor grade lights? Considering upgrading to a ceiling fan in a room? Follow along below for a step by step guide on removing an existing light fixture. If you are not comfortable working with electrical circuits consider hiring a professional for any upgrades or changes to your fixtures. 

Old light fixture that needs to come down off the ceiling.

Most light covers have a nut on the bottom that unscrews to allow removal of the cover.

Step 1: 

Turn off the power to the light fixture circuit at the main electrical panel (fuse box). 

Remove the light cover. Remove the bulbs from the fixture.

Cover off and bulbs exposed.

Bulbs removed.

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Two machine screws hold the fixture in place. They are sometimes hidden by insulation.

Use a screwdriver to loosen the screws. They need to be backed out about an inch to remove the fixture.

Rotate the fixture along the slots where the screws protrude. There is a cutout on the slot that allows the screw heads to slip through.

Step 2: 

Find the two machine screws holding the fixture to the junction box. They may be hidden under some insulation. Back the screws out about an inch. Rotate the fixture so the screws move in the slots to the point where the cutout allows the screw heads to slip through. Gently pull the fixture from the ceiling. The wires are still attached so don't yank anything at this point.

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Use a non contact tester to ensure that the power is off to this circuit. Green means no power detected.

Remove the wire nuts from the black, white and bare copper wires. Separate the wire connections.

Junction box is ready for a new fixture. Don't turn the power back on to this circuit until a new fixture is in place.

Step 3:

Use a non contact tester to ensure that there is no power at the black and white wires. If no power is present, unscrew the wire nuts from all three sets of wires. Carefully separate the wires and remove the fixture. 

This junction box is now ready for a new fixture. Follow the directions that come with the new light for installation of the new fixture.