How to Troubleshoot Your Christmas Tree

When you take your tree out of its box or bag, it may not look the way you remember. Maybe it’s thinner or a little squished. To restore it to its full glory, you can fluff out the branches.

• Select one of the main branches to start with.
• Reach into the tree to the base of the branch, where it connects to the pole or “trunk” of the tree.
• Bend each one of the smaller branches or “needles” of the tree into various directions.
• Work from the base to the tip of each main branch, layer by layer.
• You may want to work from the bottom of the tree to the top. You could also fluff the branches on each section of the tree before you even put it together.
• Depending on the size of your tree, this task could take a while. Get family members or friends to help you fluff out the tree.

As you put your tree together, you may notice some of its branches aren’t going in the right direction.

• Identify the bent branch.
• Place one hand at the base of the branch. Use your other hand to lift the tip of the branch. Carefully move the branch back to where it should be.
• If your tree comes with replacement latches and pins, refer to the owner’s manual for details on how to replace them. If you add a branch to the tree, fluff it so that it looks full.

Once your prelit tree is together, you may realize that some or all of the lights aren’t working.

• First, check to make sure the tree is plugged in. If it’s plugged in and still not working, check the outlet. Unplug the tree and plug in a lamp or a string of lights to see if it comes on. If not, you know the issue is with the outlet and not the tree.
• If the outlet is the problem, go to your breaker box. Check to see if the switch controlling the outlet's circuit may have been switched off by accident. If so, turn it back on. If the outlet still doesn’t work, you may need to find another place to plug in your tree.
• If the outlet isn’t causing the problem, check the connection in the cords and in the tree pole.
  Unplug the tree from the wall. Double check all the connections. See if all the prongs and plugs are attached to each other properly.
  All connections should be snug and tight.
• If your tree is still not lighting up, take a look at the tree’s control box or foot pedal. Try bypassing the control box or foot pedal. Plug the tree directly into the power adapter. If the lights come on, then you’ll need to get a new foot pedal or control box.

What if a whole section of lights on your tree isn’t working?

• First, check to see if the tree is plugged in. Test the outlet and check the breaker for tripped fuses.
• On a quick connect tree, all of the sections need to be put together properly. Check to make sure the section without lights is securely connected to the other parts of the tree.
• Try putting different sections together to see which section is the problem area.
• If the lights still don’t come on, examine the tree carefully for pulled or cut wires.

Prelit trees come with a variety of light modes. Your tree may be quickly cycling through every mode. Check the owner’s manual to find out how to disable this demonstration mode and get the lights to stick to a single pattern.

A plug-in tree topper is an ideal way to enhance the look of your tree.

• Some trees come with tree-topper plugs to make adding a lit tree topper easy. Just place the topper and plug it in.
• If your tree doesn’t have a tree-topper plug, run a green extension cord up the center pole of the tree. Use a cord that’s rated for indoor use. As you go from the bottom of the tree to the top, wrap the cord around the pole several times to secure it.
• Attach the tree topper to the top of the tree and plug it into the the extension cord.