Trying to change a recessed ceiling light bulb.. and messed up a bit.. help!

MrCheeseman

I've been trying to change the light bulb on a recessed kitchen light but had no joy. I bought one of those GU10 sucker things, and all I've succeeded in doing is pulling the plastic cover off the LED light bulb. I should be able to get it out with a pair of pliers, but I can't do that until I know how to remove these bulbs. 

I'm assuming they're GU10, I could be wrong, but they're LED ones. I've not had one out to double check. I've changed GU10s before but that time they were on a horizontal stalk and there was a small metal circle you'd remove before removing the bulb. Here, there's just the metal circle, no inner circle, just the bulb. It seems like there's not enough clearance to get the bulb out but I could be wrong.

The ceiling fittings are plastered around but aren't glued to the ceiling, they're on some sort of spring so you can pull them down slightly but they spring back up. But I don't want to pull on them in case I break something. I'm trying to get in contact with the people who fitted them, not sure if it was the rewirers or the kitchen team, but in the mean time can anyone help?

Here's what the bulbs looked like, along with how it looks now the plastic cover for the bulb has come off. 

grumbler

If they are GU10, you have to rotate the bulb before pulling it.

Try extracting the whole light fitting or the metal surround (with a knife, scrapper or similar)

Its_not_paranoia

grumbler said:

Try extracting the whole light fitting or the metal surround (with a knife, scrapper or similar)

This. Replaceable bulb or sealed unit, get it down and you'll see what you're dealing with,

It's held in by spring loaded arms, so you just need to pull/pry/wiggle it down. 

MrCheeseman

grumbler said:

If they are GU10, you have to rotate the bulb before pulling it.

Try extracting the whole light fitting or the metal surround (with a knife, scrapper or similar)

I tried rotating, also pulling and pushing but no joy. 

Rosa_Damascena

Its_not_paranoia said:

grumbler said:

Try extracting the whole light fitting or the metal surround (with a knife, scrapper or similar)

This. Replaceable bulb or sealed unit, get it down and you'll see what you're dealing with,

It's held in by spring loaded arms, so you just need to pull/pry/wiggle it down. 

Should it really be that hard to change a recessed spotlight bulb? I'm going to give it a go and report my findings.

Rdwill

The ones I've just had fitted if the bulb goes you change the whole unit. They are leds. 

Grenage

Slide something under the collar and pull down. There will be springs but they might be a little tight.

I'm guessing it's not a sealed unit as the bulb came out.

Money_Grabber13579

To me, that looks like a sealed unit, unless the metal cover twists off. Are these in a bathroom, where they might have a higher degree of water protection?

You might need to pull the whole fitting out of the ceiling (it will take a fair amount of effort as the clips are spring loaded, but take care not to damage the plaster and keep your fingers out of the way as the clips will snap back at you) and then try and dissemble from there.

fenwick458

hard to tell if its a GU10 or not the pictures are quite small.

OP if yo have a new GU10 bulb offer it up to it and see if it's the same size, if it's a different size then you know it's not a GU10

or just pull the whole fitting down and see what type it is, post up the make & model

FreeBear

fenwick458 said:  or just pull the whole fitting down and see what type it is, post up the make & model

Just watch your fingers when you pull the fitting out - Those springs can be quite strong and will hurt when they whack a digit or two.

greyteam1959

If I was the OP I would be turning off the power at the consumer unit before doing any more poking or prising.