Five minute fix for a broken lamp

May 04, 2018

Hey there and happy weekend! I'm back with a quick post to share how to fix a broken lamp cord. You can actually use this on other electronics but this particular tutorial is for an ungrounded, two-prong cord for a lamp. 

One of my favorite lamps was damaged in the move and I've held onto it all this time. We had a reimbursement plan for the broken items but I just never got to them to get the money -- the moving process took over and I ran out of time. (They only offered reimbursement based on weight anyway.)

The cord was missing from the lamp when they unloaded it -- it looked like it was cut off by the door of the truck. I'm so glad I kept it in the garage all this time though because the other day I remembered I could fix it myself!

I had forgotten about this little trick and it took all of five minutes to get it working again. Here's how the cord looked: 
How to repair a broken lamp cord

I ended up making a clean cut to the end before starting. Usually this is where I'd warn you to make sure nothing is plugged in...but that's kind of impossible with this one anyway. ;) 

You'll need a (affiliate) replacement plug from the hardware store. They're bulkier than regular plugs, but only $2: 
Replacement plug for broken lamp cord

Unscrew the screw on the front and open the plug all the way up: 
How to replace a broken lamp plug

Take your Phillips screwdriver and loosen the two screws inside: 
How to repair a broken lamp plug

Then separate the end of the cord -- I use scissors to do this. Just take care not to cut into the cords:
How to replace a plug on a lamp

You'll need a wire stripper to strip the ends of the wires: 
Wire cutters for replacing a plug

You just kind of twist the cutter around the wire and then pull off the casing to expose the wires. Twist them together like so:
Simple fix to repair a broken lamp plug

Then shape them into a hook and wrap around the screws inside the plug and tighten: 
Replacing lamp plug tutorial

Make sure there are no stray wires sticking out, then you can close up the plug and you're done!:
Replacement lamp plug tutorial

That's it! You have a working light again! I completely forgot about this solution or I would've done this a long time ago. It was daylight when I did this so I closed the blinds just to show you that it does work!: 
How to replace a broken lamp plug

It's a simple fix that will save you some money for sure! You can also get them in white for clear or white cords. 

I got this lamp at Target years ago and they don't carry it anymore, but this is a very similar version. (That one is more than I spent, but either way I would have been tossing a lot of money away!)

Hope this helps some of you at one point or another! You could also use this to shorten cords as well. Again, this is just for a lamp, be sure to ask a professional for the process for anything larger or three-pronged. 

Affiliate links included for your convenience!
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Comments

  1. This is so handy to know! I don't even have a table lamp but this would save my life if I had one.

    Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
    http://charmainenyw.com

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  2. Thank you for this tutorial!

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  3. Great tip! I never knew these parts existed. Question: would you mind sharing the source of your spindle back chair? Is it comfortable? Thanks!

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  4. Another great and simple-to-do tip. I've repaired many plugs this way when my kids were teenagers and everything seemed to get broken on a regular basis. I love that you can buy lamp kits in order to make a lamp out of pretty much anything.

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  5. This one I did not know, thank you so much! I can imagine me sharing this tip with someone who needs it sometime, and lookin' all smart. haha Chrissy

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  6. Great tutorial. I have used your home ideas and tutorials as we built and decorate our own home. You've been pinned so many times! Thank you. I have an empty corner in my living room that needs a spool chair like yours. Care to share your source?

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If you have a specific question I will do my best to answer you back here!

You can find our paint colors and links to items at the "Our Home" tab at the top of my site.

THANKS so much for reading!