iFixit - Answers With Device "Household"

LED Christmas Lights: Half of the string of LED Christmas lights doesn't light up.

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:00:44 -0700

A bit of a low-tech, although seasonal, question for you:

I have a bunch of Noma LED Christmas light strings, each with 70 LEDs. With one string, exactly half of the LEDs don't light up when plugged into the AC. The whole string used to work, and it's only about a year or two old.

My understanding is that Christmas light strings like these are often two independent circuits, with fuses built into the plugs at either end. I notice that most of the way through the string there are three wires—but at the middle-point of the string, there are only two wires joining the 2 halves. So, this idea that there are actually two independent circuits seems to make sense to me. There must be a fault in the 2nd half of the string, or the fuse in that half must have blown.

My question is this:

Has anybody ever tried repairing this kind of LED Christmas light string? Is it worth it to try replacing the fuse? (Of course, it would only make sense doing so if there wasn't some other more serious fault in the circuit—but how would you debug the cause of the failure?)

The plug at the end with the problem looks like it has a small catch you could push in with a small screwdriver, but it appears almost impossible to pry open the plug without damaging it. Even if I did get the plug open and find the fuse, I'm wondering if the fuse is even some standard size or type that can be readily replaced. Is this just a one-shot type of fuse?

Failing repairing the 2nd half, I might cut the string in two and just insulate and seal the cut end with heat shrink. Has anybody done this to a broken string of LED lights?

⟐ Commented December 29, 2024 at 15:00 MST

Furby: Furby Boom not speaking

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:07:57 -0700

Bought a 2x Furby Boom for my two kids 3 days ago. one of them does not speak any more, just moves. Any ideas on how to fix it?

⟐ Commented August 21, 2023 at 11:07 MST

Ionic Breeze: Why won't my Ionic Breeze Air Purifier turn on?

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 03:23:45 -0700

Sharper Image model# SI830. Pushing power button does nothing. Tried taking it apart but cannon see any obvious thing to do, no blown fuse or anything I can identify by taking bottom cover off.

⟐ Commented June 12, 2024 at 3:23 MST

Furby: How can I fix for my furby does not speak?

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 20:35:56 -0700

My Furby doesn't not speak and only does the movement.

I thought that it is because of low battery.

Then I changed with new batteries.

But it still doesn't speak.

⟐ Commented February 14, 2026 at 20:35 MST

Incandescent Light: I can't change the lightbulb by myself!

Fri, 24 Jul 2015 12:11:09 -0700

I have a bulb out in one of my lamps. Can someone come over and change it, please. Please be sure the wattage is consistent with what the lamp can handle. I prefer soft white and am a GE fan, but any manufacturer will do. Also, I don't really like the energy saving flourescent as they cast a ghastly green shadow on my otherwise ghostly complexion.

⟐ Commented July 24, 2015 at 12:11 MST

Bicycle: How do I straighten a bent wheel rim?

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 10:18:30 -0700

One of the rims on my bike is very bent; it stops after 1/2 a revolution because the bent part hits the brake pads.

I've heard that I need a spoke key, and also read that the best way to get a rim straight is to just take it to a pro, since it is somewhat of an art. Is this something I can tackle on my own?

⟐ Commented June 05, 2020 at 10:18 MST

Fan: Fan blades turn slowly on Electric Window Fan-- how to fix?

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 19:58:51 -0700

The W B Marvin Mfg Company (of Urbana, Ohio) made wonderful window fans flanked by screens. The frame could expand sideways, so these fans fit into any window with a width of 22" or more (up to about 37"). Circulated the air, but kept the bugs outside!

I really like these fans, and I have several. One is not working well: the fan-blade assembly turns very slowly -- a single go-round takes about 3 seconds. I'm guessing that the motor needs to be oiled or to have some gunk cleaned out. Or maybe the problem is a bearing gone bad. Or...? Ideas? suggestions? instructions on how to fix this? I'm handy, but I've never done any repairs on small motors.

Too bad that Marvin Mfg went out of business.

⟐ Commented August 18, 2021 at 19:58 MST

Mr. Christmas Musical Carousel: Why is the carousel not turning?

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 22:28:42 -0700

I have a Mr. Christmas Carousel, and it stopped turning. Now it just plays music. I tried to open it up, but the bottom wouldn't come off. I have a soldering iron and any other tool that would need. I took the screws out of the bottom and I tried prying it off, but that didn't do anything. If I can get the bottom off, I can fix the problem. I am guessing that it is a disconnected wire. Any ideas on getting the bottom off or an alternate method is greatly appreciated.

⟐ Commented December 24, 2025 at 22:28 MST

Nerf Rival Zeus MXV-1200 Blaster: Not Firing Or Turing On.

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 03:45:25 -0700

I have one of the Zeus Rival guns and for some reason its not firing at all. I have the ridiculous 6 C batteries in right but still nothing. I have also made sure to turn off the safety. I am going to have to open her up soon if I am unable to find a resolution. If anybody has any ideas feel free to help.

⟐ Answered July 16, 2024 at 3:45 MST

Ceramic Knife: How do you keep Ceramic Knives sharp

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 00:50:20 -0700

I bought some ceramic knives when I had my steel one sharpened. Loved them—for say 6 months. Then—well, steel knives I sharpen with the steel, and then have them ground. With ceramics—sharpening professionally is $$$$.

⟐ Commented October 03, 2023 at 0:50 MST

WowWee MiP Robot: MIP bluetooth won't discover

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 07:10:25 -0700

Trying to use bluetooth with my iphone 6 and it never FINDS the MIP---just says discovering over and over...Thoughts?

⟐ Commented September 03, 2025 at 7:10 MST

Electronic Keyboard: keyboard won't power with adaptor - yamaha ac power adaptor class 2 12

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 08:01:46 -0700

my yamaha keyboard has worked fine until now. when i went to turn it on, there was a brief light & then dark again. sometimes i don't even get a blip. does the same thing on other outlets. how can i tell if it's the adaptor or keyboard & how can i fix it? thanks

⟐ Commented March 29, 2023 at 8:01 MST

Dyson AM07 Tower Fan: Dyson fan developed a low whining sound from the lower section (motor

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 10:57:22 -0700

low whining sound from the lower, motor area of our otherwise wonderful fan. Please give info as to what we should do here. open and repair ourselves or send somewhere to have it fixed.

⟐ Commented July 19, 2024 at 10:57 MST

Hasbro furby 2012: Where can I find the Furby 2012 App?

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 20:40:23 -0700

I'm looking for an app to interact with my Furby through my smartphone or tablet.

⟐ Commented August 25, 2025 at 20:40 MST

Yamaha YPG-225: keys on the keyboard stop working

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 08:14:54 -0700

Hello some of the keys on my keyboard stop sounding. Does it means i´ve got a broken key? I am sure the keyboard hasn´t been hitted by no means.

⟐ Commented December 29, 2024 at 8:14 MST

Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb: Repairing energy saving Lamps

Fri, 04 May 2018 23:20:53 -0700

Hi All,

With over use of energy saving light bulbs,we are left with thousands of non functioning bulbs around us.I have heard that 80% of them are malfunctioning due to faulty electronic parts inside the starter circuit.Any clues on repairing them?Any guides etc....

Thanks

⟐ Commented May 04, 2018 at 23:20 MST

Dyson AM07 Tower Fan: How to Fix the Clicking Noise While Oscillating

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 14:52:19 -0700

A lot of the Dyson fans nowadays have the ability to oscillate. Throughout multiple versions, there have been some reports of a clicking noise developing at different amounts of use time. Unfortunately at this time, there doesn't seem to be a clear solution to the problem.

⟐ Commented January 04, 2024 at 14:52 MST

Ceiling fan: My ceiling fan speed has gone low currently.

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 06:28:50 -0700

The fan was rotating at its normal speed while it was still new. But now the speed has decreased. Air is still coming but not enough. Earlier i taught it was because of the dirt. But after cleaning it does not make any difference. Please advise me what to do.

⟐ Commented October 11, 2023 at 6:28 MST

Fan: Why fan is making loud noise when it rotates

Sun, 18 Aug 2024 01:08:18 -0700

when it starts rotating it gives loud noise as if something is struck inside.but nothing is actually there .

⟐ Commented August 18, 2024 at 1:08 MST

Duracraft DD-TEC10NE dehumidifier: Display show P1 message?

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 06:12:29 -0700

Duracraft DD-TEC10NE, after pressing power button display show PI ( P1) message that I can not clear to make it work. Any ideas ?

⟐ Commented June 19, 2023 at 6:12 MST