How To Fix A Floor Lamp Base?

A floor lamp is one of the convenient resources to add light in specific dark areas. Most of its problems occur when power is interrupted by the light fixture or defective socket.

Another reason when a floor lamp stops working is due to some sort of uncertainty with the base. Either you move to a new house or it has completed its life expectancy.

One major reason why the standing lamp gets unstable is due to repeated touching from on/off.

In this article, we will discuss the best possible ways on how to fix a floor lamp base easily. And what measures you can take to maintain it for a longer duration.

how to fix a floor lamp base

How to Fix Wobbly Floor Lamp Base?

Step 1: First, you need to examine the lamp keenly to determine the source of limpness. Touch and wobble its various parts slightly beneath the socket and down. Balance the foot on the base and gently grip the pole or tube to see whether any of the sections is unsteady.

Step 2: Unplug the lamp from the vent and allow it to cool down first if it is being used at that time.

Step 3: Put a pillow on the floor and gently lean the lamp downward while resting on the top. Remove the shade with your hands if it is not sturdy enough. To do this, you need to remove the thumbscrew or finial that secures the shade to harp enclosing the blub.

Step 4: To tighten, twist the top of the light tube clockwise while holding the bottom section stable. Repeat the same process for other parts.

Step 5: Inspect the underside of the lamp base to see the nut or screw. If it is lost then tighten it with a Phillips head screwdriver or any other adjustable wrench.

Step 6: Replace the lampshade if needed and set it upright. Wobble it again to ensure that all the parts are tight.

Step 7: If the lamp still does not get the optimal stability, repeat the tightening process.

Ways to Keep a Floor Lamp from Leaning and Tipping over

The main reason why a pole fails to maintain a tight grip is that the threading becomes stripped.

LED lighting is the best way to give your floor lamp in a stabilized position and as they are not expensive they won’t contribute to your electricity bill.

Other than that you can also use Museum wax. It helps in holding the bases of the lamp and prevents them from tipping over.

How to Repair a Broken Floor Lamp Base?

If your lamp starts flickering due to a loose socket, then you can replace it to give it a new life. It is very easy to replace the socket just by following a few simple steps given below:

Step 1: Unplug the lamp.

Step 2: Remove the shade, harp, and bulb.

Step 3: Separate the socket shell from the shell cap. Squeeze the shell at those points to pull up and remove it.

Step 4: Pull the socket switch up out of the base to uncover the switch in order to reveal the wires.


If the screw is loose, then tighten them up and rejoin the lamp. It can be one of the reasons the lamp is not working properly.

However, if it starts working by this then you are good to go, if not then proceed to the further steps:

Step 1: Unscrew the wires. There are two wires in the brass screw (hot black wire) and the silver screw (neutral white). So before you remove the wires don’t forget to note which color screw each has.

Step 2: Unhook the socket cap set screw and unscrew it to discard it along with the old one.

Step 3: Secure the wire leads to the new socket.

Step 4: Place the new shell over the socket shove the cover down until it breaks into the new socket shell cap.

Step 5: Re-fix the shade, harp and bulb.

Things to Consider When Buying a High-Quality Base for Floor Lamp

how to fix wobbly floor lamp base

1. For Different Space, What Base Materials Should Be Used?

Material is one of the important things to consider when buying anything as it ensures the durability of the product.

Choosing a floor lamp made of high-quality material will help in reducing the risk of the lamp breaking or falling if accidentally struck.

Choose a sturdy material like metal and wood as they are durable instead of plastic or glass.

2. What Base Size Should Be Considered?

You can look for shade with a diameter that is no more than two inches larger than the length of the lamp’s base.

For example, a 12-inch base length is ideal for a shade diameter that falls within the 10 to 14 inches range.

3. What Does An Exceptional Base Weigh For A Floor Lamp?

Weight is another important thing to consider especially if you are planning to move it frequently.

Floor lamps are too heavy which makes it difficult to move them and it can damage the floor as well.

However, a 10″ floor lamp base should have a diameter of 18″ bottom shade.

4. For Different Types Of Floor Lamps, What Is The Right Base To Choose From?

The material of the base is something that determines its overall style and price.

  • However, if you’re choosing a contemporary style lamp then sanded and carved wood is the right base.
  • If you’re choosing an arcing lamp then a metal base lamp is perfect for this style.

5. Add-Ons

Here are a few additional things you can consider when looking for a high-quality base for the floor lamp:

  • Warranty
  • Cost
  • Safety features like ELT or UL certification
  • Type of light
  • Adjustable height

How to DIY a Floor Lamp Base?

Things needed

  • 1 x 1 square dowel
  • 3/8 ” carriage bolts and nuts
  • Light socket and cord
  • Drill
  • Forstner bits
  • Handsaw

Steps You Need To Follow

Step 1: Cut three 18″ pieces for the base using the hand saw (pole saw or Japanese saw). Then cut 10 pieces of 2 inches each for spacers.

Step 2: Clean up the edges using 220 grit sandpaper.

Step 3: Then you need two 36 inches dowels to be attached vertically and mark the location for the carriage bolt as well.

Step 4: Drill a quarter-inch deep hole with a 5/8 inch bit to allow the bolt to sit. Then drill 3/8 inch all the way through to match the diameter of the bolt.

Step 5: Then lay the location of the upper light support dowel and mark the location for the hole of 3/8 before drilling using a Forstner bit.

Step 6: Start assembling the base by marking out the center on all 18-inch base sections.

Step 7: Place the center base in position using the holes you drilled earlier.

Step 8: The Center of the section of the base is flanked by two of 2 inches blocks and the remaining 8 pieces will get a hole drilled on one end.

Step 9: Put together the verticals and upper lamp support with a three and a half-inch bolt, a lock washer, and a wing nut. Once the structure is assembled mark the locations for the light board.

Step 10: Use the 220 grit sandpaper to finish and once dried, thread the light cord through the holes.

Step 11: Wired up the light socket and lastly screwed a 40y LED bulb.

Check the video to get a straightforward instruction:

How To Stop Floor Lamp Base From Damage?

To stop the floor lamp base from damage, simply twirl the upper part of the lamp tube in a clockwise direction.

Whilst, you need to steadily hold the bottom to tighten the loose tube in the lamp’s middle body. Perform the steps to tighten other attached parts.