LED strip lights have been an incredible advancement in lighting technology, with an incredible range of industrial and residential applications. Whether you are adding light to a shop floor, warehouse or hospital corridor, or trying to create a unique atmosphere in your bedroom, LED strip lights are effective, affordable, easy to set up and look great in various colours.
However, no new technology is perfect. This article will explore some simple troubleshooting steps to help you diagnose issues and learn what to do when your LED strip lights are not working.
Troubleshooting Strip Lights That Don’t Turn On
How To Identify an Issue With LED Strip Lights
Identifying an issue with LED strip lighting is usually straightforward.
The most common symptom is that they simply won’t turn on. However, there are a variety of different issues that could be caused by a power failure, including:
- Not Powering On
- Flickering LEDs
- Inconsistent Colours
- Dead LEDs
Common Causes for LED Failure
The most common reason for an LED failure is an interruption or a breakdown in the power supply.
If you have only recently purchased LED strip lights and they have stopped working immediately or soon after purchase, this failure could be caused by a manufacturing defect.
Next, issues with heat dissipation could cause any adhesives used with the LED strip to become loose, causing poor connections over time and interrupting the power flow to your lights.
Software issues could also cause problems with LEDs, primarily if any software being used limits the duration of LEDs through a system like night mode, or if the software encounters an error.
Finally, physical damage like impact, bending, snapping, or corrosion will damage the internal wiring of your LEDs, meaning that they may no longer function.
How To Troubleshoot LEDs That Are Not Powering On
Below, we have put together a simple step-by-step guide on how to troubleshoot the most common issues that could occur with your LED strip lighting:
Step 1 – Check the Power Supply
LEDs themselves are more robust than most forms of lighting, so the most likely reason your LEDs are not turning on may be the power source.
Check that the power socket you are using has power (including checking for a power switch on the socket itself) and ensure that you are using the power supply provided with the LEDs.
If this connection has become loose or if the power isolator switch has been turned off, this would explain why your LED strip lighting is not working.
Step 2 – Check the Connections
If the power supply appears in working order, the next step is to check the LEDs and their connections.
After disconnecting the power, look through your LED strip lights to try and identify any gaps that could indicate that an LED has become displaced, or try to identify any apparent damage or corrosion to the connectors. In particular, a break, gap, visible damage or significant corrosion could explain why your LED light is not working when it has power.
Step 3 – Check Your App or LED Controller
If you are using an LED controller or controlling your LED strip lights via an app, it’s essential to check that the settings on either are correct. If you have a day and night mode, or any other variable setting, this could be the reason your LEDs are not displaying correctly.
If none of these settings are enabled, but you cannot find another reason for the failure, try changing the setting to something else. If the fault persists when switched to a different setting, the problem will likely be your hardware, not your software.
Step 4 – Check The Warranty Or Consider A Replacement
If you have completed the above steps and your LED strip lights still are not powering on, they will likely not be repaired, or repairing them would be prohibitively expensive.
If you bought your LEDs from a trusted supplier, they will likely come with a warranty covering several years. If this is the case, contact your supplier and check if they would be willing to accept a warranty return and replace your LED strip lights for free.
Consider purchasing a replacement if you do not have a warranty. Luckily, advances in LED development mean that LED strip lights are more affordable than ever and are available in a wide range of colours and designs.
At LED & Power, we choose our stock carefully and are proud to offer hassle-free returns and a 5-Year warranty on many of our products.
Browse Our Selection of LED Strip Lights at LED & Power
At LED & Power, we provide a range of LED strip lights and controllers perfect for commercial, industrial, retail, and sports venues.
If you are working on a new building project or considering upgrading your existing lighting system, browse our range of LED lighting options.
Alternatively, contact one of our friendly team members, who can answer any of your LED lighting questions and provide information on warranties and discounts for bulk purchases.
