This is my 2nd electrical ceiling box that holds up a 2 lightbulb circular light since November.
3rd one that broke this year.

The holes in the electrical box that you screw your light fixture in broke off and I cannot rescrew the light fixture back in. Both lights are now hanging on by the wires.

The house is only about 9 years old, what is the life span of these boxes breaking? Are they more prone to break in “winter” (even though it’s hot as balls today).

Any easy way to replace the box or is it just easier to get an electrician? From quick glance I think it’s the old school ones that is nailed in from the attic

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Posted by Fraid Knot

Lafayette, LA

Member since Jul 2019

171 posts

Posted on 12/27/25 at 4:36 pm to The Dunder Mifflin

It may be more than the box failing. If you have a fan, the box may not be correctly supported or you may have vibration in your fan. I had those blue plastic boxes on every ceiling fixture and were starting to fail. We updated the fans, etc and I changed them out to the deep metal boxes and supported the box with a 2x6 between the joists. Problem solved. As to calling someone, I don't know your skill level but if you are uncomfortable with electricity, definitely call an electrician.

This post was edited on 12/27/25 at 4:37 pm

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Posted by The Dunder Mifflin

Member since Mar 2018

885 posts

Posted on 12/27/25 at 5:11 pm to Fraid Knot

It’s not fans. It small two light bulb ceiling light that goes in a closet.

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Posted by weadjust

Member since Aug 2012

15664 posts

Posted on 12/27/25 at 6:07 pm to The Dunder Mifflin

post a pic of the electrical box

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Posted by The Dunder Mifflin

Member since Mar 2018

885 posts

Posted on 12/27/25 at 6:44 pm to weadjust

Something like this. The two screw holes keep snapping off that hold the light fixture

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Posted by weadjust

Member since Aug 2012

15664 posts

Posted on 12/27/25 at 7:30 pm to The Dunder Mifflin

Not much help without a pic of the actual box. Are the plastic holes stripped out and the screws don't grab or the plastic holes broke off the box. If the holes are stripped you could fill them w JB Weld then drill a new hole after the JB Weld cures.

If the tabs with the screw holes are broken. Replace the box w an old work box. The one in your pic is a new work box.

New work boxes (nail-on) attach directly to studs/joists before drywall for new construction, featuring built-in nails/screws; Old work boxes (remodel/retrofit) install into existing drywall with adjustable wings or clamps that grip the drywall when screws are tightened, ideal for adding fixtures to finished ceilings without accessing studs

This post was edited on 12/27/25 at 8:20 pm

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Posted by boudy30

Hammond, La

Member since Mar 2012

12 posts

Posted on 12/27/25 at 7:42 pm to The Dunder Mifflin

Had this issue in a house once. The contractor had used drywall screws that were to long and wider then the correct screws intended for these boxes and the box ears were cracked during initial install. Took several years but had several light fixtures fall down and only hanging by the wires.

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