Shower pull cord switch stuck, light on. How to fix?

If you find that your shower pull cord switch is stuck, the best solution is to have it replaced with a new switch. An electric shower circuit is a powerful electrical circuit that can cause issues if there are faulty components installed. Shower switches are prone to failure on electric shower circuits and are not generally repairable. If the light is still on then it’s showing that there is power to the pull cord switch. There is NOT an easy fix and the switch will usually require replacement.

1) Why does a Shower Pull Cord Switch become Stuck?

Shower pull cord switches are a 'weak link' in an otherwise sound circuit. The terminal connections on the rear of the switch are often the place that failure seems to occur first and, when failure like this occurs, extreme heat can cause the cable to melt, burn, and catch fire. There are many reasons why a shower pull cord could fail which we will talk about below.

2) On and off continually

Turning the shower switch on and off repeatedly will definitely shorten the lifespan of the switch. These devices are actually designed as an isolator and NOT a switch. When we think of light switches, they turn the power on and off and the light comes on no problem, they are designed to SWITCH UNDER LOAD. A shower switch should not really be used as an on / off switch for a shower UNDER LOAD. The shower should be turned on from the shower unit itself rather than relying on the pull cord switch. 

3) Internal Contacts Worn

Inside the shower switch, there are moving metal parts that can become worn with constant operation. These parts join together to make an electrical contact when the switch is turned on and slide away from each other to break the circuit when the switch is turned off. As this occurs, and particularly under load, the metal contacts can suffer excessive wear and tear, corrosion and sooting from the electrical arc that occurs when a high load is waiting to be switched. 

4) Poor Installation of the Shower Pull Cord

Whilst swapping a shower switch can seem like an easy enough simple job, if the new pull switch is not installed correctly, terminals tightened a sufficient amount and cabling left in good condition without excessive mechanical strain, the new switch can fail prematurely. It’s best to have a qualified electrician to replace the shower isolator switch for you as they will ensure that everything is correct and that the earthing is also continuous and safe; something which can only be carried out by a professional with specialised test equipment. 

5) Cracks on the front of the switch

If you find that there are cracks on the front of your shower switch, these are often caused by excessive heat building up BEHIND the switch face on the cable and terminals. Where cracks develop on the front of the shower pull cord switch (the bit you can see) you can rest assured that the switch itself is dangerous and likely nearly completely destroyed!

6) Loose Connection Causing Failure

A loose connection on a shower switch is guaranteed to cause electrical problems in a short space of time. Loose connections in electrical circuits means a high resistance to current flow. Where electrical current struggles to flow correctly unimpeded, heat will build up rather quickly causing an even higher resistance as the heat itself impedes current flow. This vicious circle of heat generation causes wiring to melt and switches to fail. 

7) Faulty Switch

Less frequently, a shower pull cord can become jammed due to its original quality of manufacturing. This is not a common occurrence, especially in the UK, as we have stringent manufacturing processes and electrical system regulations that mean a minimum safe standard for products and wiring is achieved. If components like pull cord switches have been purchased in a place other than a respected electrical wholesaler or physical store, there are often less guarantees as to the quality, standard of manufacture and compliance elements of the product so it’s worth ensuring you are careful with purchasing new items such as shower pull cord switches. 

8) What else can fail on an Electric Shower Circuit?

8.0.1) Circuit Breaker

Under specific circumstances, the circuit breaker at the consumer unit can fail. A circuit breaker can weaken over time and begin to trip before it should as it 'thinks' there is an overload. This is seen as intermittent nuisance tripping of the circuit breaker. An electrician is the person to replace a circuit breaker as there are specific torque requirements and procedures that should be followed to prevent electrical shock and fire. 

8.0.2) Consumer Unit

The consumer unit can also suffer with melting, fire, and damage through loose connections at the circuit breaker, Main Switch or inside the consumer unit. An electric shower will tend to exacerbate any loose wiring or connections due to its significant powerful load compared with other household electrical demands. 

8.0.3) Electrical Cable

The electrical cable for showers can sometimes burn out under the right conditions (or wrong conditions if you will). Shower cables are designed to carry heavy loads but if external factors are applied such as thermal insulation covering the cable, loose connections, poor installation, more powerful shower added on or mechanical damage to the cable, then the cable can fail!

8.0.4) General Electrical Faults

Almost any number of electrical faults can occur on any wiring circuit. Electric shower circuits are more prone to issues due to the high power of the shower and heat generated during operation in the wiring and connections. 

9) ​Frequently Asked Questions

​If the shower pull cord breaks off, can it be replaced?

​If the string part of the cord snaps off but there is still some attached to the pull cord switch then the cord can be replaced or extended without issues in most cases, If the cord detaches from the switch unit entirely then this will require a new pull switch unit to be installed. In fairness, if the cord has come out entirely then it’s likely that the pull cord switch is very old anyway!

​Can a loose cable be tightened?

Yes, in many cases. A loose terminal or cable on a shower pull cord switch can be tightened but if there are signs of thermal damage, corrosion, or mechanical damage to wiring or switch then tightening the cable will not help. Where signs of damage are present on an electrical shower pull cord switch, wire, or circuit, these must be addressed immediately by a professional.

How much is a new pull cord installed?

An electrician will typically charge around £85-£100 to supply and install a replacement pull chord switch (2025). If wiring damage has occurred or cables require extending then this cost may increase to around £120-150. If you want the shower switch relocated to a different part of the room, outside the bathroom or elsewhere then these costs can vary and it’s best to ask your electrician.