diff --git a/esphome/components/light/addressable_light.cpp b/esphome/components/light/addressable_light.cpp
index 1b1bc88a6f..a8fa2cd7ac 100644
--- a/esphome/components/light/addressable_light.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/light/addressable_light.cpp
@@ -45,9 +45,14 @@ void AddressableLight::update_state(LightState *state) {
 
   // don't use LightState helper, gamma correction+brightness is handled by ESPColorView
   this->all() = esp_color_from_light_color_values(val);
+  this->schedule_show();
 }
 
 void AddressableLightTransformer::start() {
+  // don't try to transition over running effects.
+  if (this->light_.is_effect_active())
+    return;
+
   auto end_values = this->target_values_;
   this->target_color_ = esp_color_from_light_color_values(end_values);