I have track lighting in my kitchen, but only one bulb turns on. Why won't the other three lights turn on?

I tried replacing the bulbs, but they still don’t work.
The bulb that works is the one closest to the power inlet.

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6 Responses to “I have track lighting in my kitchen, but only one bulb turns on. Why won't the other three lights turn on?”

  • Dave:

    USA Just to make sure all the lamps are good, take the working lamp out and place it in the other sockets. If it lights up, you have bad lamps. If it does not, you have an open conductor in the track, probably between the first and second lamp socket. Track lighting is usually wired in series, and when there is a break in a connection, all light s downstream of the break will not work. Something might have broken or come loose. If you are familiar with electrical conductor terminations, take the track apart and find out what is broken or loose, and repair as required. Or, replace the entire track. Or, call a licensed electrician to help.

  • magiccharm:

    Most likely 3 bad bulbs. i would replace all 4, remember they all have the same life expectancy so you can expect them to fail about the same time

  • Woody:

    I agree with Magic but first I have to question which bulb is still working, the first on the track nearest the power inlet or the last? If it is the first and the problem still persists after you change the bulbs then I would suggest checking to see if the track is shorted or not getting power to the latter end of the track. This can only be done using a pocket tester or a meter with test prodes.

    Good luck! Woody

  • hoboson:

    Woody has pretty much got it , the only other thing you can try is to make sure the light heads are connected to the track properly, take them off and re-connect them. you should hear a click when they are properly seated in the track. You can also clean up the contact tabs while you have them off the track

  • Jim W:

    Easy from the sound of it, remove the lamp holders that do not work, reinstall the 1/2 turn on the track. Then try the lights, some track lighting design does not allow the fixture to be installed backwards. If that does not do it, call a qualified professional electrician.

  • John himself:

    Poor contact with the track on those fixtures? Twist them out and then back in. Pretty common problem.