Electrical & Lighting

BuildingWrench repair guide

Electrical & Lighting

Occupancy Sensor Light Won’t Turn Off: Easy Checks Before Replacement

Lights that stay on with an occupancy sensor are often caused by a long time delay, sensitivity settings, air movement, moving objects, line-of-sight traffic, or an override mode. Start with settings and the room before replacing the sensor.

Last reviewed 2026-09-12 · General facility-maintenance information, not a substitute for site procedures, manufacturer instructions, codes, or qualified professional judgment.

Routine facility fixSkill: BeginnerTypical time: 10–20 min
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Safety boundary

This guide intentionally stops before energized wiring or panel work. Follow your electrical-safety program and use qualified personnel for internal electrical diagnosis.

Full troubleshooting steps are in Pro

The safety boundary, quick answer and stop-work conditions above stay free. Pro opens the likely causes, symptom table, step-by-step procedure and preventive maintenance for this guide.

Stop and call a licensed professional when

  • Line-voltage access required
  • Sensor/plate hot or discolored
  • Circuit behaves abnormally
  • Specialty/life-safety control involved

Mistakes, FAQ, parts and tools

Pro opens the rest of this guide: common mistakes, field FAQ, the parts list, and the tools for the job.

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Occupancy Sensor Lights Turn Off Too Soon: Fix the Annoying Problem

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Exterior lighting that stays off at night may be controlled by a photocell, astronomical timer, BAS schedule, contactor, breaker, or fixture driver. Identify the control method first.

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GFCI Won’t Reset? Safe Checks Before Replacing the Receptacle

A GFCI that will not reset is not automatically bad. Unplug connected equipment, check for moisture, verify upstream protection, and try one firm reset. If it trips again or shows heat, odor, or damage, take it out of service and escalate.

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Commercial Light Switch Not Working: Safe First Checks

A wall switch that appears dead may actually be part of an occupancy-control system, lighting contactor, BAS schedule, dimming system, or tripped circuit. Map what is affected before touching wiring.