Removing A No-Screws Bathroom Ceiling Light Cover

It is a common experience for many people. When attempting to replace a light bulb for our bathroom’s ceiling light, we struggle to remove the cover.

No-screw light covers are the most common bathroom light covers in modern homes. While they are convenient, they can also be a pain to remove when changing the light bulb.

The good news is that you can remove those no-screws light covers without damaging them to replace bulbs or change out the cover entirely.

How to Remove a Bathroom Ceiling Light Cover Without Screws

Bathroom ceiling light covers without screws are held in place by a spring clip. Release this clip by pushing down on the cover while pulling it away from the light fixture simultaneously.

It may take a little force to get the cover off, but it will come off without damage. Once the cover is off, you can access the light bulb and change it as needed.

Requirements:

• Sturdy Step
• Ladder or Stool
• Pair of Pliers
• Flashlight

Below are the steps:

Position your ladder or stool

Unless you are LeBron James, you will need a ladder or stool to reach the bathroom ceiling light. Place your ladder as close to the wall as possible and ensure it is level before starting.

Turn off power at main circuit breaker switch

This is an important step for safety, so do not skip it. The last thing you want to do is electrocute yourself while trying to change a light bulb.

Wear Gloves

Gloves come in handy to help improve traction keep your hands protected. The ideal gloves to use are leather or suede work gloves, which will also help protect your hands.

Ensure that the gloves you choose do not have an open cuff at the wrist.

Remove any decorative accents

If there are any additional trim pieces or other decorations around the base of your bathroom ceiling light, remove them first.

Trim pieces may be held in place by spring clips like those holding a no-screws bathroom ceiling light cover in place.

Use pliers to remove the spring clip

You will need a pair of long-nose pliers or needle-nose pliers to reach into the hole around the base of your no-screws bathroom ceiling light and push down on the spring clip to release it.

You may need a flashlight to help you see inside if your bathroom ceiling light has decorative trim around it, blocking your view of the inner workings of the fixture.

Remove the cover by pushing down and pulling away

With the power turned off, take hold of the light cover and push down on it while pulling it away from the light fixture.

You may need to use a pair of pliers to get a good grip on the cover. Be sure to keep your hand clear of the light fixture when removing the cover.

Replace bulb

Once you have removed the bathroom ceiling light cover, remove the old bulb and replace it with a new one.

This is an excellent time to clean up any dust or debris that has accumulated around your light fixture as well. Be sure not to touch the glass part of your new light bulb with your bare skin.

Replace cover

Once you have replaced the old bulb with a new one, replace the bathroom ceiling light cover by following the steps in reverse.

Make sure that the spring clip is properly seated around the base of the fixture and push down on the cover until it snaps into place.

If there are any trim pieces you have previously removed, re-install them before turning the power back on.

Turn power on and test light

Once everything is assembled as it should be, go to your main circuit breaker switch and turn the power back on.

Turn the bathroom ceiling light on and off a few times to ensure everything works properly.

If there are any problems, go back through the steps and check to see that you have not missed anything.

Situations that may necessitate removing your bathroom light cover

Cleaning

Like anything else in your home, the bathroom light cover can become dirty over time.

It is a good idea to remove it and clean it every few months to keep it looking nice and prevent any build-up that could eventually lead to problems with the operation of your light fixture.

When remodeling

If you are remodeling or renovating your bathroom, you may also need to remove the cover to access whatever you are working on.

If that is the case, be very careful not to damage your light fixture or its wiring while doing so.

When installing a new bathroom ceiling light

If you need to install a new light fixture in your bathroom, you will need to first remove the old one before installing the new one.

The process for doing so is very similar to the steps outlined in this article. Just pay close attention to the wiring when disconnecting the old fixture and connecting the new one.

Replacing a light bulb

In some cases, you may only need to replace the light bulb without removing the entire cover.

If your bathroom ceiling light is one of these models, you will need to use a long stick or something similar to push down on the spring clip and release it.

That way, you can remove the old bulb and replace it with a new one.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Removing a no-screws bathroom ceiling light cover need not be complicated. While a few steps need to be followed, they are all relatively easy and can be completed in just a few minutes.

In case you do run into any problems, be sure to check the wiring to make sure everything is as it should be.

Following these simple steps will help keep your bathroom ceiling light looking nice and working properly for years to come.