Why Does My Lutron Caseta Switch Have a Dim Glow When Lights Are Off

Problem Description

LED lights connected to a Lutron Caseta dimmer glow faintly or flicker when the switch is turned fully off. The ghost light is visible in dark rooms and is more pronounced with certain LED bulb brands. This happens because the Caseta dimmer draws a tiny trickle current to power its wireless radio and status LED, and that current passes through the LED bulbs rather than returning via the neutral, causing a dim glow.

Why This Happens in Real Homes

"Ghosting" — LEDs faintly glowing when off — happens on no-neutral Caseta dimmers because a tiny leakage current passes through to power the dimmer, and some sensitive LEDs glow on it. It's a bulb/no-neutral interaction, not a fault.

Start by swapping to bulbs less prone to ghosting (Lutron's compatibility list flags this), and note that Lutron sells a small in-line accessory (the LUT-MLC load module) that absorbs the leakage so the bulbs stay fully off. Since standard Caseta dimmers work without a neutral, that trickle current is inherent; the load module or different bulbs cure the glow.

Symptoms

• Faint glow from LED bulbs when switch off
• Visible ghost light in dark rooms
• Some bulbs glow others do not
• Flickering at very low dim levels
• Glow worse with certain LED brands
• Light never fully turns off

Recognize these? Here's what usually causes it.

Common Causes

• LED bulb incompatible with Caseta dimmer
• No neutral wire causing current leak through bulb
• Bulb minimum load below dimmer threshold
• Electromagnetic interference in wiring
• Bulb driver design allowing trickle current
• Too few bulbs on circuit for dimmer minimum

Tools & Requirements

Step-by-Step Solution

1

Install LUT-MLC Capacitor

The Lutron LUT-MLC plugs into any outlet on the same circuit as the dimmer. It provides minimum load to prevent trickle current through LEDs. Costs about 15 dollars. This fixes ghost glow in 90 percent of cases.

Needed for this step

Lutron Deluxe Diva Smart Dimmer Kit for Caseta ...

This helps complete the fix you are currently reading.

$199.15

View Needed Item

2

Check Bulb Compatibility

Visit lutron.com/bulblist and search your LED bulb model. Incompatible bulbs glow because their driver circuit allows small current. Switch to a bulb on the compatible list.

3

Add Load to Circuit

If only one or two LED bulbs on the circuit the total wattage may be below dimmer minimum. Add bulbs or mix one incandescent bulb which provides enough load to absorb trickle current.

4

Check Wiring

In boxes without neutral wire the dimmer returns current through the bulb causing glow. The LUT-MLC solves this. If you have neutral wire verify it is connected properly to the dimmer.

5

Try ELV Dimmer

For persistent issues the Caseta ELV dimmer PD-5NE handles LED loads better than the standard CL dimmer. ELV dimming cuts voltage cleaner preventing ghost glow.

Quick Solutions

Still having issues? This is usually the deeper cause below.

Need More Help? Lutron Support

Note: The contact information below connects you directly to Lutron's official customer support team, not Trunetto. They can help with warranty claims, device replacements, and advanced technical issues.