How to Fix Light Fixtures That Are Hanging Loose

When you don't have anything solid to which you can attach a light fixture, it's tempting to screw it to the drywall, but that's a mistake as well as a code violation. The fixture may appear stable, but an impact or even the weight of the fixture itself can be enough to loosen the screws, and the result is a fixture hanging precariously from the wall or ceiling. Light fixtures should be attached to electrical boxes nailed to a stud or rafter, but if your fixture doesn't weigh much, you can use a remodeling box that anchors to the drywall.

  1. 1.

    Turn off the breaker switch to the fixture, instructs Family Handyman. If other people are home, let them know you're working on the electricity and tape the switch in the off position with a prominent sign so that no one inadvertently turns it on while you're working.

  2. 2.

    Remove the screws that are still holding the fixture with a screwdriver and pull it far enough away from the wall or ceiling to access the wire connections, advises John C Flood. Remove the wire caps and untwist the fixture wires from the circuit wires.

  3. 3.

    Install an electrical box for the fixture. If the drywall is in good condition and the fixture doesn't weigh much, you can install a remodeling box by cutting a hole for it at the same location with a drywall saw. A remodeling box has anchors that hook to the back of the drywall, eliminating the need to attach it to framing. If the fixture is heavy, however, it should be held by a conventional round ceiling box nailed to a stud or rafter, which may mean changing its position. There's a way to avoid changing the location of a ceiling fixture if you have access to the attic.

  4. 4.

    Purchase a round ceiling box with telescoping strapping, which is designed especially for hanging ceiling lights between rafters. Position the box over the location of the fixture and cut a hole for it in the drywall with a drywall saw. Extend the straps to meet the ceiling rafters on either side of the box and screw them to the rafters. When installed, the front edge of the box should be flush with the ceiling.

  5. 5.

    Cut a hole for a conventional round ceiling box without strapping next to a stud or rafter, then nail the box to the wood with the front edge flush with the surface of the wall or ceiling. You'll probably have to cut out a section of drywall to do this and repair it later.

  6. 6.

    Feed the circuit cable, which contains a white, a black and a bare wire, through the back of either of the two types of boxes you attach to framing after the box is in place. If you're using a remodeling box, however, feed in the wires before you anchor the box to the drywall. They should either be clamped inside the box -- plastic boxes are self-clamping -- or stapled to a stud or rafter near the box with wire staples.

  7. 7.

    Screw an adapter plate, called a crossbar, to the box that has holes that line up with the screw holes on the base of the fixture. If it's an old fixture, you may have to search to find an appropriate crossbar. You'll probably be able to find one at a store that sells light fixtures or electrical supplies.

  8. 8.

    Connect the fixture to the circuit wires by twisting its black wire to the black one in the circuit cable and its white one to the white circuit cable. Protect the junction of each pair of wires by screwing on a wire cap.

  9. 9.

    Join the fixture ground wire to the circuit ground wire. If there is no ground wire and the base is made of metal, install a ground screw on the base to hold the circuit ground wire. The circuit ground wire should also be connected to the ground screw on the electrical box, if it's made of metal.

  10. 10.

    Push all the wires into the box and screw the fixture to the adapter plate with machine screws.

    Things You Will Need

    • Tape

    • Screwdriver

    • Electrical box

    • Wire staples

    • Crossbar

    • 2 wire caps

    • Ground screw


    Drill a 1/8-inch hole in the fixture base if it's necessary to install a ground screw. Ground screws are green and available at hardware stores.

    Fixtures weighing more than 50 pounds must be supported independently of the electrical box.