Short answer: when a landscape lighting system goes dark, the cause is usually power, a timer, a wire or a connection, not the bulbs. Our minimum service call is $95, and a replacement fixture starts at $195. Check the simple things below first, and call us if they do not fix it.
Six checks before you call
- Check the timer or photocell. A power outage can reset the clock. A dirty photocell can think it is always daytime.
- Check the breaker and the outlet. Many transformers plug into a GFCI outlet, which can trip in rain and not reset itself.
- Look at the transformer. It should be on and warm, not dead. If it is off at the outlet, that is your answer.
- Look for a section that is out, not the whole yard. A single zone dark with the rest on points to a wire or a connection.
- Check fixtures near the sprinklers. Water can get in the seals of older fixtures.
- Look for digging damage. A shovel, a mower or a new fence post is a common wire killer.
If steps one to three fix it, you did it for free.
Why lights go dark in Georgia
- Moisture in connections. Humidity and rain get into wire joints that were not sealed.
- Corrosion. Cheaper fixtures pit and fail at the stem or the connector. Brass resists this, which is why we offer lifetime-brass options.
- Cut or chewed wire. Gardeners, landscapers and animals all find shallow wire.
- Overloaded transformer. Extra lights added without checking capacity can dim the whole run.
- Aged bulbs on older halogen systems. Low-voltage LED lasts much longer.
What a service visit costs
| Job | Price |
|---|---|
| Minimum service call | $95 |
| New fixture, installed | from $195 |
| Anything larger | Quoted after we see the system |
Service covers a lot of ground. A single replaced fixture is a small visit. A system with failed wire across several zones takes longer, because we trace each run before we price the repair. Either way you get a firm number before we start.
How we troubleshoot
We start at the transformer, since everything depends on it, then check the timer, trace each run and test fixtures one at a time. Most problems are found in a visit. If the system needs a bigger repair, we tell you the number before we start. There are no hidden fees.
Repair or replace?
If one fixture failed, replace it. If the whole system is old halogen with brittle wire and failing fixtures, a redesign can cost less than years of service calls. We will tell you honestly which side you are on. For a new design, fixtures start at $195 each on our price list, and we price the whole job after a walk of the property.
When to call us
Call when the checks above do not fix it, or when you smell burning near the transformer or see damaged wire. We offer same-day service and a free estimate. We serve North Atlanta and the Gwinnett towns to the northeast. See landscape lighting design and pricing.
Keep a simple log
If your lights flicker or drop out, write down when it happens. After rain? After the sprinklers run? Only on one side of the house? That pattern is half of the diagnosis. A system that goes dark after every storm points to moisture in a connection. A system that dims when you add lights points to the transformer. A section that dies after the sprinklers run points to a fixture near a head. Tell us what you saw and the visit goes faster, which keeps the cost down.
FAQ
Why did my landscape lights stop working? Most often a timer, an outlet that tripped, a failed connection or damaged wire. Check the timer and outlet first.
How much does it cost to repair landscape lighting? The minimum service call is $95, and a replacement fixture starts at $195. Larger repairs are quoted after we see the system.
Can you fix lights that you did not install? Yes. We fix leaks, faults and failed fixtures on any system.
Should I replace old halogen lights with LED? Often yes. Low-voltage LED uses much less power and lasts longer.
Prices from our price list. Updated November 2026.