Repair Table Lamp, Step by Step

If you have a table lamp that flickers or won’t light at all, a few simple repairs are usually all that is needed to quickly have it working like new again.

There are three possible problem areas that could be causing the lamp not to work. The first is obvious--check the bulb to be certain it’s not defective and that it is firmly screwed into the socket. Test the lamp with a new bulb to be certain.

Next, inspect the cord and the plug. If either is frayed or damaged in any way, replace them. If both the bulb and the cord are all right, the problem is in the socket, and you’ll need to replace it.

Since the repair and replacement procedures for the cord and the socket are very similar, you may wish to completely refurbish the lamp by doing both tasks at the same time.

First, unplug the lamp and remove the shade. If the lamp has a harp (the large, curved brass fitting that supports the shade), remove it by pressing the bottom arms together near the socket until they pop free. Turn the lamp upside down, and if there is a cover over the base, carefully remove it by prying it off with a knife. Set the shade, harp and base cover aside.

Turn the lamp right side up. Remove the metal shell from the outside of the socket by squeezing it at its base (the place to squeeze is usually indicated on the shell by the word press ) and pulling straight up. Slide off the cardboard inner sleeve also, exposing the wire terminals.

Unscrew the wires from the terminals and remove the socket. Under the socket you will find a knot in the cord, called an Underwriters’ knot. Undo the knot, and remove the base of the socket.

Pull the old cord out through the long threaded tube that passes through the lamp from the base to the socket, then feed a new cord into the tube.

You may wish to expose some wire on the ends of both the new cord and the old one, twist them together, then use the old cord to pull the new one into place.

You can purchase new lamp cord by the foot, but you will also need to purchase and install a new plug. An easier way to do this is to buy an extension cord of the proper length and wire gauge, then cut off the female end, leaving you a factory-installed plug at one end and bare wire to connect to the socket at the other end.

After feeding the new cord into place, separate about 2 1/2 inches at the socket end and tie a new Underwriters’ knot. Pull the knot down into the socket base, then strip about three-fourths of an inch of insulation off the wire ends. Wrap one bare wire clockwise around one of the terminal screws on the new socket and screw it down securely, then repeat with the other wire and the other terminal screw.

Slip the cardboard inner liner and the metal outer liner over the socket and snap them into place. Finally, reassemble the lamp, step by step, in the reverse order you dismantled it.