How to remove LED downlight bulbs

If you have LED downlights in your home, it’s important to know how to remove them so that you can easily replace bulbs when needed. In this guide, we look at how to remove LED downlight bulbs.

It’s worth noting that there are generally three different types of downlight and each one requires a slightly different way to remove the bulb from their holder:

• Spring clips
• Twist faceplate
• Removable faceplate

Keep reading to find out how to remove these LED downlight bulbs.

How to remove halogen downlights

As mentioned, if you want to know how to remove downlight bulbs in your home you’ll need to know which type of downlight holder you have. Whether it’s an LED or halogen downlight bulb that you use, the process for removing a downlight bulb is very similar – if not the exact same process.

Below you can see the three most popular ways of changing downlight bulbs.

1. How to remove downlight bulbs with spring clips

When you’re changing downlight bulbs that have a spring clip in place, it’s relatively easy to remove the bulb in a few simple steps:

• Step 1 – Pinch together the two raised parts of the clip and gently remove the clip itself.
• Step 2 – You should notice that the bulb drops out slightly so that you can remove the bulb. In some cases it might need a gentle pull on the bulb, or you might need to turn the bulb anti-clockwise to release it.
• Step 3 – You can then remove the downlight bulb from the holder.
• Step 4 – Now insert a new downlight bulb into the holder and follow the above steps in reverse order.

2. How to remove downlight bulbs with a twist faceplate

If you need to know how to take out downlight bulbs that have a twist faceplate, follow the steps below:

• Step 1 – Twist the faceplate in the downlight socket, making sure you support the downlight at the same time (to avoid it dropping out).
• Step 2 – To separate the bulb from the downlight fitting, unfasten the clip and unscrew the bulb.
• Step 3 – Twist in a new downlight bulb, put the metal clip back on and refasten the twisting faceplate. Job done.

3. How to remove downlight bulbs with a removable faceplate

When it comes to learning how to remove halogen downlight bulbs that have a removable faceplate, the first step is often a little tricky but then it’s plainer sailing from there.

• Step 1 – First, you need to remove the faceplate from the downlight socket in the ceiling by either using your fingernails or a thin, flat object (such as a knife or screwdriver). Take care not to damage any part of the downlight fitting in the process.
• Step 2 – Either remove the downlight bulb from the socket, or unclip it from the faceplate.
• Step 3 – Insert the new downlight bulb, position the fitting back into the ceiling and replace the removable faceplate. Job done.

Tips for how to remove LED downlight bulbs

Here are some useful tips when you’re changing downlight bulbs:

Always shut off the power first

Whichever type of downlights you have, the first step in changing downlight bulbs is always making sure that you’ve turned off the power to the lights. To be extra safe, instead of just turning the light switch off it’s sensible to shut off electricity for that area through your circuit breaker or fuse box.

Use a ladder

Another important tip when learning how to remove a bulb from downlight fittings is to always use a ladder. Changing downlight bulbs will involve working at ceiling height, and the safest way to do so is with a sturdy, secure stepladder.

Hire an electrician to remove LED downlight bulbs

If you have LED downlight bulbs that are stuck in their socket, or you’re not confident working at ceiling height, then we always recommend hiring a qualified electrician to do the work for you.

We always recommend obtaining at least three quotes from different electricians in your area, to make sure you’re paying a fair and competitive price for the work. And, thankfully, we’ve got a tool that makes finding multiple quotes super easy.

Our request a quote feature is perfect for getting quotes: you post details about the work you need doing and we’ll send it out to local tradespeople in your area. Try it out – it’s quick and easy!

How much does it cost to install downlights?

The average cost to supply and install downlights is around £300 – £500, depending on the quantity of downlights and the complexity of the installation.

As a guide, you can expect to pay somewhere in the region of £20 – £75 per downlight for supply and installation.

To find out more, check out our guide on the cost to install downlights.

FAQs

How do you remove LED downlight bulbs / an LED ceiling light?

First you need to identify which type of LED downlight holder you have in your home. Then, once you know that, follow the steps mentioned in the guide above.

How do you change LED recessed light bulbs?

Here’s a recap of how to change an LED recessed light bulb:

• Shut off the power
• Remove the LED recessed light bulb following the appropriate steps in this guide
• Insert a new downlight bulb
• Replace the downlight fitting in the ceiling
• Turn the power back on

How do I change the LED bulb in my bathroom downlight?

In order to change the LED bulb in your bathroom downlight, you can follow the steps in this guide, which work for the majority of downlights – regardless of which room in your house they’re in.