A 3-way lamp, also known as a tri-light, is a lamp that uses a 3-way light bulb to produce three levels of light in a low-medium-high configuration. A 3-way lamp requires a 3-way bulb and socket, and a 3-way switch.Click to see full answer. Keeping this in view, can you put a LED bulb in a 3 way lamp?The 3-way fixture is plugged into a dimmer switch that is plugged into the outlet. It works just fine. In my slightly frightening experiences, No you can’t put a regular Or dimmable LED bulb in a 3 way lamp socket. I’ve tried it with two different bulbs from Osram Sylvania that claim they are dimmable.Secondly, why is my 3 way lamp not working? With a 3-way bulb, if it isn’t working at all, it’s probably dead. If both elements don’t come on there, replace the bulb. If you have a 3-way bulb that works as it should in a good 3-way socket, and only one of the two elements works in a different socket, the problem is with the socket. One may also ask, how does a 3 way LED bulb work? A 3-way lamp requires a 3-way bulb and socket, and a 3-way 2-circuit switch. Unlike a lamp controlled by a dimmer, each of the filaments operates at full voltage and the normal temperature for an incandescent bulb, so the color of the light does not change over the three steps of light available.Do you have to use a 3 way bulb in a 3 way lamp?A 3-way lamp requires a 3-way bulb and socket, and a 3-way switch. Unlike an incandescent lamp controlled by a dimmer, each of the filaments operates at full voltage, so the color of the light does not change between the three steps of light available. In recent years, LED three way bulbs have become available as well.