It's the middle of the night and you really have to go. You carefully walk through your RV, trying not the wake your family on your way to the bathroom. As you flip on the light, nothing happens. You try again...still nothing. Your bathroom light does not work anymore. Lucky for you, we pulled together the information you need so you know what to do next.
There are a few reasons why an RV bathroom light stops working. Here are the most common light problems in RVs:
- Burnt out light bulb
- RV is unplugged from a power source
- Damaged on/off switch
- Damaged lighting fixture/ballast
- Faulty wiring
- Dead battery
- Tripped circuit breaker
- Faulty converter
Investigate your light fixture. Work down this list and troubleshoot to find the problem. Then, you can fix your RV bathroom light.
You probably still have some questions about RV bathroom light problems. In this article, we will take a deeper look at the potential causes of failed bathroom lights and how you can fix them. So, keep reading to find out more!
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What To Do Next When Your RV Bathroom Lights Stops Working
It's frustrating when anything goes wrong with your RV. Luckily, most bathroom light problems are easy to fix. Let's take a look at the most common reasons why your RV bathroom light stopped working and how to fix it.
Problem: The Light Bulb Is Burnt Out
If you bought a used RV or your RV is old, you may not know the last time the bathroom light bulbs were replaced. If you know the bulb is old, and the other lights in your RV work, a burnt-out bulb may be the problem.
Solution: Change The Light Bulb
Take the old light bulb out of the socket and bring it to a hardware store. Buy a new light bulb with the same type of socket as the old one. Once you are back in your RV, simply turn off the light switch and screw in the new light bulb. Then, flip on the light switch. Hopefully, your problem is solved.
Problem: RV Is Not Plugged Into A Power Source
If your RV is stationary and more than just the bathroom lights do not work, there is a high chance your RV is not plugged into a stable power source.
Solution: Check The Power Source
Go outside and investigate. If the cord is unplugged, plug it back in and try turning your lights on again. If you see the cord is plugged in, then there is something else going on.
We have an article specifically dedicated to this very topic. Read it here: RV Plugged In But No Power? Here’s What To Do, so you can continue to troubleshoot the issue.
Problem: Damaged On/Off Switch
If you have to jiggle the switch around or flip it up and down multiple times to turn the light on or off, there is a high chance the switch finally broke. This is probably why your RV bathroom light is not working.
Do RV Light Switches Go Bad?
Yes, sometimes switches go bad. Usually, this doesn't happen overnight. In most cases, you will notice problems with the on/off switch before it completely stops working. It is a common problem and easy to fix.
Solution: Install A New Light Switch
If you suspect a damaged light switch, then you need to replace it. You can do this yourself or hire an RV electrician. If you don't have much experience with wiring, it is always better to hire a professional. They will determine if the switch is the actual problem. Also, they may be able to fix your current switch instead of having to install a brand new one. This saves you time and money.
How Do You Test An RV Light Switch?
You need a multimeter to test an RV light switch. First, shut off all power sources to your RV. Then, remove the light switch from the fixture. Next, use the probes from the multimeter to test the light switch terminals. There should be an electrical signal. If the reading remains at zero, then the switch is dead.
Problem: Damaged Light Fixture Or Ballast
If the bulb is new, your RV has power, other lights in the RV are working, and you don't suspect a switch issue, then the light fixture itself may be the problem. Some light units have ballasts too. These are special devices that limit the amount of electrical current delivered to a circuit. This could be the problem too.
Solution: Replace Or Repair Light Fixture/Ballast
Remove the light fixture and investigate. If you know it is broken, fix it. If it is beyond repair, buy a new one and install it. Follow the same directions with the ballast, if you think that is the problem. As always, we recommend hiring an electrician if you don't have experience with this type of work. They will identify and properly fix the problem, so you don't worry about a thing.
Problem: Faulty Wiring/Fuse
Sometimes, there is nothing wrong with the light at all. If you know the light fixture, bulb, and switch are new and should be working, you probably have a wiring or fuse issue. Faulty wiring or a blown fuse can happen in any RV.
How Do You Tell If A Fuse Is Blown In An RV?
To determine if your RV has a blown fuse, you need to find the fuse and fuse wire first. If there is any visible damage to the wire or you see a dark smudge in the fuse, it is blown. You need to replace it.
Solution: Call An Electrician
We highly recommend calling a professional for wiring and fuse issues. It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact problem area. And, if you can visibly see wire damage, it can be dangerous to mess around with open wires. To ensure you stay safe and the problem is fixed, it is best to hire an electrician for this issue.
Problem: Dead Battery
Some RV bathroom lights use a separate battery, isolated from the rest of the RV lighting, as a power source. If your light fixture is new and you don't suspect other problems, its battery may be dead.
If more than just the RV bathroom lights aren't working, your main RV battery might be dead too.
Solution: Charge The Battery
Take the light fixture down and see if there is a battery inside. If you see one, take it out. Next, replace it and turn the light on again.
If you suspect the main RV battery is dead, recharge it. Then, turn your light on after you know the battery is fully charged. If there continues to be a problem, you may have to replace your battery.
For more information about this topic, read this article: RV Battery Not Working: What To Do?
If you are curious how the longevity of RV batteries, read this article too: How Long Will An RV Battery Last (Inc. When Dry Camping)?
Problem: Tripped Circuit Breaker
An RV circuit breaker automatically trips when it is overloaded. Cooking, charging electronics, and using other electrical sources all at once are likely to overload your RV's circuit system. Bathroom lights will not work if the circuit breaker is tripped.
Solution: Reset The Circuit Breaker
First, reset the circuit breaker. Next, determine why it tripped. Most likely, the system was overloaded. However, there may be something else going on.
To read more about RV circuit breakers, check out this article: The RV Circuit Breaker Panel – What You Need To Know.
Problem: Faulty RV Converter
RV converters are responsible for turning AC into DC. A faulty RV converter can cause lighting issues in your RV.
How Do I Know If My Converter In My RV Is Bad?
Here are the common warning signs of a failing converter:
- Flickering lights
- Lights not working
- Cooling fan problems
- Onboard batteries do not hold a charge
If your RV is experiencing these problems in addition to the bathroom lights not working, you might have a faulty converter.
Solution: Repair Or Replace The Converter
If you feel comfortable investigating the converter yourself, feel free to take a look. However, we highly encourage you to hire a mechanic. Several issues may contribute to converter problems, and a professional can identify and fix the problems must faster than the average RV owner.
For more information about inverters and converters, read this article: Inverter VS Converter In An RV: What’s The Difference?
Time To Fix Your RV Bathroom Lights!
Now that you know all of the potential issues behind your bathroom light problems, you can get to work. Hopefully, all you have to do is change a light bulb. But, if there is a bigger issue causing bathroom light problems, consider hiring a professional electrician or mechanic for the job.