Can anyone provide a solution for wiring a light fixture without a switch or controlling it with a remote in an old apartment?
Asked by Angela Ramos 
6 months ago
Last Updated: June 10, 2024
I recently bought an older apartment and I’ve got this room with a space for a light fixture, but no switch to turn it on.
I managed to connect the light fixture and it turned on, but the switch I thought controlled it actually doesn’t.
I’m thinking about getting a wired light fixture that I can control with a remote instead. Any suggestions?
Old-fashioned closet light controlled by a pull string
Do you see a capped wire in the switch box?
You should figure out what the switch is connected to. I had a similar situation where kids would constantly play with the switch, turning it on and off. One day, my neighbor informed me that their lights were flickering randomly.
When I had that, it was the jail located right next door. They kept mentioning how their jail cells would randomly unlock and lock. #thingsthatneverhappenedalex
It seems like it might have originally been set up for a ceiling fan with a light that was remote-controlled. In our living room, we had a similar setup, but we ended up running a wire to a light switch for manual control.
We’ve got this cool “fandalier” that you can control the light and fan with using a remote. The switch works too, but once you’ve got the fixture turned on, you should be able to use the remote to control it.
You have the option to purchase a remote kit, which includes a transceiver and a receiver, for around $40.
There are many options of this kind on the market. The switch operates on batteries.
Consider purchasing a light fixture or a fan/light fixture with a remote control. Alternatively, you could add a remote kit to your existing light fixture.
It’s possible that the switch operates the outlets in the room…in certain bedrooms, the switch manages the lower portion of the outlets for nightstands..one part of the outlet will always have power and the other part is for lamps next to the bed..it is indeed feasible to have some outlets always on and others controlled by the switch
Is the light switch connected to any of the outlets? That’s one possibility.
This is a wifi bulb that can be easily controlled using a phone app.
Thanks to for doing that
Ceiling fan
I’m thinking would also be my guess. Sounds like a similar situation.
I think a light fixture with a pull chain could be a good option. Some even come with fans and lights that have pull chains included. There are also light sockets that can be controlled with remotes. It seems like they are compatible with standard light bulbs and can be screwed in between the bulb and the light fixture.