Common Reasons for LED Strip Lights Flashing

There are five common reasons why LED strip lights may be flashing or blinking:

1. Incorrect or Defective Power Supply: The power supply for your strip lights may be too weak to properly light them up. Make sure to check the specifications of your transformer and ensure compatibility with your lights. Sometimes, strip lights may come with the wrong LED driver (power supply), which can cause damage to the lighting components inside.
   • How to Fix: Refer to the product information to find the required power consumption for your best LED strip lights. Compare this to the power distribution number of the current LED driver. If they don’t match, get an LED driver that is compatible with your specific strip lights.
2. Poor Connection: If your LED strip lights have a weak connection due to faulty cables, they may flicker. The circuit inside the strip lights could be malfunctioning, causing the flickering.
   • How to Fix: Ensure that the power supply is properly connected to the LED strip lights and not loose. If the connections keep moving as you try to turn on the lights, consider soldering them in place to improve the poor connection.
3. Fluctuation in Electrical Current: Consistent voltage supply is essential for powering your lights. If the voltage decreases in your LED strip lights, you’ll notice annoying flickering and reduced brightness throughout the strip.
   • How to Fix: Place the power supply in the middle of the strip to help moderate the fluctuation in electrical current. Alternatively, reducing the length of the wire used to power the lights is the best way to fix this issue.
4. Continual Use and Wear: Leaving your LED lights on for long periods without a break can lead to flickering and other issues, including overheating.
   • How to Fix: Minimize the amount of time your LED strip lights are continuously on. Practice energy-saving habits, such as turning off the lights when you’re not in the room, switching them off at bedtime, and giving the lights a 1-2-hour break before using them again if needed.
5. Damaged LED Strip: Several factors, like exposure to water or dust, or twisting the strip lights the wrong way, can damage them. A compromised circuit can cause the lights to flicker.
   • How to Fix: Look for signs of damage, such as moisture build-up or dust inside the bulbs, or loose connections. If the damage is beyond repair, it’s time to invest in a new LED strip light. Remember to keep the lights away from water, dust, and avoid twisting them to prolong their lifespan.

Fixing LED Lights That Have Stopped Working

If your LED lights have completely stopped working, here are three ways to troubleshoot and fix the problem:

1. Replace the LED Driver and/or Bulbs: If your LED lights have stopped working entirely, it could be due to a blown-out LED driver. You can replace the LED driver yourself, or seek assistance from a local electrician. In some cases, you may only need to replace one or more LED bulbs without replacing the driver.
2. Get New Light Accessories: If the accessories for your LED strip lights are incompatible or the electrical current is unstable, it’s best to replace all the light accessories at once. This will improve the uniformity in brightness and overall performance, leading to better light efficiency and reduced radiant heat.
3. Fix Tightened Bulbs: Sometimes, bulbs that are screwed on too tightly can cause issues. To fix this problem:
   • Check if the copper vortex in your LED strip light is bent.
   • Disconnect the light from the power source if it’s bent.
   • Use needle nose pliers to move the copper vortex 20 degrees away from the bottom of its socket.

   To prevent this issue, twist the bulbs only until the light comes on, without overtightening. The light coming on is a sign that the bulb is securely in place.

Conclusion: Why Are My LED Strip Lights Flickering?

In summary, Edgar M Downs – LED light specialist discussed the five common reasons why LED strip lights flicker: poor connection, damaged LED strip, incorrect or defective power supply, continual use and wear, and fluctuation in electrical current. If your LED strip lights have stopped working entirely, consider replacing the LED driver, getting new light accessories, or adjusting tightly screwed bulbs.

No matter the reason for using LED strip lights, we hope you’re now ready to decorate your home for any occasion, or simply enjoy their ambiance. If you have any more questions about LED lights, check out our other articles for installation tips, maintenance guides, and troubleshooting advice.