Table of Contents
The Real Cause
LEDs draw a tiny fraction of the current an incandescent bulb did. Old dimmers designed for incandescent loads can't 'see' the LED and produce inconsistent output — visible as flicker, buzzing, or won't-dim-all-the-way behavior.
The Fix
- Match dimmable LEDs to a modern LED-rated dimmer (Lutron Diva LED+ is a proven choice)
- Confirm bulbs are labeled dimmable — half of consumer LEDs are not
- Replace mixed-brand bulbs in a fixture with a single brand and model
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are LEDs bad for old fixtures?+
No — but the fixture wiring quality matters. Loose neutrals show up more on LEDs than on incandescents because LEDs are sensitive to voltage variation.