Removing a stuck light bulb can be frustrating in its own right, but a stuck recessed light bulb is on an entirely different level! Since the light bulb is sunk into the ceiling, it's difficult (or rather impossible) to grip the sides of the bulb. Here are a few simple strategies to help you safely remove a stuck recessed light bulb.

Safety Considerations. Please wait until the bulb is cool before removing it. Bulbs can be very hot and burn you. If the room is too dark to work in without the light, consider moving a lamp in temporarily or having an assistant help with a flashlight. Please wear safety glasses. Changing a bulb may seem like a simple process but there is always the possibility that the bulb may break and you could get shards of glass and/or filament into your eyes. We also recommend that you consider wearing work gloves. 

Do not use lubricants or any type of fluids to remove the recessed light bulb.

You'll Need:
Ladder
Safety glasses
Butter knife
Putty knife or old credit card
Tape (Duct tape or packing tape)
Small suction cup

Directions:

Step 1. Turn the power off by flipping the circuit breaker for the light at the electric service panel to the off position. 

Step 2. Determine if your light bulb has a screw base or a Twist-and-Lock Base. (Some recessed light bulbs do NOT have a screw base. Halogen light bulbs with the prefix "GU," such as the common GU-10 bulbs, have a twist-and-lock base instead of a screw base.) 

To remove a bulb from a GU Twist-and-Lock Base:

Step 1. Feel the face of the bulb for three raised dots that identify this type of bulb/base combination.

Step 2. Gently press the bulb upward (toward the ceiling) to disengage the hidden lugs.

Step 3. Rotate one-quarter turn counter-clockwise. The bulb, socket, and attached wire should drop down once the lugs have been released.

Step 4. Holding the socket with one hand, use your other hand to turn the bulb counter-clockwise. The bulb should now come free of the socket.

BUT WAIT! Your bulb may still be attached to its ‘trim.’ Pinch the spring clip to remove the trim from the bulb.

Removing a Stuck Bulb with a Screw Base:

Step 1. Check to see if you’re able to remove the light trim without first removing the bulb. Light trim is the decorative detachable plastic or metal cover on the recessed light. It is either screw-on or spring-loaded.

Screw-on trim: Press your fingers against the inside of the trim and rotate the trim counter-clockwise until it comes off.

Spring-loaded trim: Slide a putty knife or thin plastic like an old credit card between the trim and the ceiling. Pry the trim loose. Then, grab the sides of the trim and pull straight downward.

If you are unable to remove the trim, try a small suction cup for increased grip on conventional screw base recessed lights. (Small suction cups can be found on fridge hook hangers, mirrors, shaving mirrors, shower wall hooks, and even children’s toys.)

Step 2. With the trim removed, hold the bulb by its sides and turn counter-clockwise.

Step 3. If the bulb is still stuck, clean it with a dry cloth, then stick the suction cup to the face of the bulb and turn counter-clockwise to remove it.

Step 4. If the bulb is STILL stuck, you can make a handle from tape to give you more grip on the face of the bulb. -Rip off a strip of tape about 3 inches long.-Hold the left and right sides of the tape with each hand. The adhesive should be facing up.-Move the two sides toward each other, letting the center drop by about 1-inch. The center will stick together forming your handle portion.-Stick the left and right sides on the face of the bulb.-Use the center part of the tape as a handle to rotate the stuck bulb counter-clockwise.

BUT WAIT! Did you really turn off the light? Remember, the bulb must be room temperature or cooler to avoid permanently fusing the adhesive or tape to the bulb.

Step 5. If the bulb is STILL stuck, you can try extending the tape to the sides of the bulb for better leverage.-Cut off a piece of tape about 8 inches long.-Using a butter knife, stick one side of the tape against the side of the bulb. Press firmly.-Repeat on the other side of the bulb. The tape should now dangle under the bulb as a C-shaped loop.-Insert the butter knife into the loop.-Turn the butter knife counter-clockwise until the tape twists and bunches up on the knife.-Using the knife as a handle, rotate to remove the stuck recessed light bulb.

Step 6. If the bulb is STILL stuck, it’s probably time to call an electrician to remove it. It might be time to remove the recessed light from the ceiling for optimal access to the bulb. We’d be happy to help, just give us a call.