Lights are expected to work properly. When the switch is in the “on” position, a light should be illuminated. When the switch is flipped, a light should shut off.

Modern lights, however, are not always as simple as this. Light fixtures and switches may include built-in motion sensors, photosensitivity and other features that make the lights more energy efficient. The problem is that those systems create a multitude of issues that can cause your lights to malfunction.

Loose connection
Something as simple as a loose connection in the light or the switch can cause a light to stay on. It may seem like a simple matter to take the switch apart and replace it, but the problem is that there is a wire in the circuit somewhere that is staying hot.

Touching that wire could leave you with a serious burn or worse. Before attempting to find the loose connection, turn off the circuit breaker.

If the light still won’t shut down, call a Los Angeles electrician immediately to help. Sign in to Angie’s List to see which of the 6,633 electricians have been highly rated by members in your area.

Three-way switches
Designed to allow two switches to work one light, a problem with either switch can cause the light to malfunction. Three-way switches can be tricky.

If you have recently replaced a three-way switch for some reason and the lights won’t turn off, you may be able to troubleshoot the problem. If these switches consistently give you issues, ask the electrician to switch them for more simple devices.

Tangled wires
It’s rare that lights won’t turn off. It’s far more common to have an issue with the lights not turning on. If work has recently been done in the area and the light is suddenly blazing at all times, some wires may have been switched around. This can be a particularly tricky problem as you try to sort out the problem and correct the wiring.

Tracing out this kind of electrical problem can be challenging. There can be several different issues causing the problem and the correct solution may be found through basic trial and error.

If you have already spent several hours trying to find the cause, it may be time to call in a professional electrician so you can avoid more stress and frustration.