Why Do LED Lights Flicker? Causes And Solutions To Prevent It

Have you ever replaced old incandescent bulbs with LED light bulbs only to find them flickering on and off? It's frustrating when your lights behave this unexpectedly but at least, you’re not the only one who has had issues like this. A lot of people have faced it as well.

So, why do LED lights flicker? Most times, the flickering isn't due to the bulb itself but can be linked to other factors like issues with ballasts, electrical filaments, or even incompatible switches.

We’ve explained these reasons in this article, and we also provide some tips on how to prevent your LED light from flickering in the future. Read on!

Why Are My LED Lights Flickering?

To answer the question - why is my LED light bulb flashing? Well, it could be for reasons such as loose connections, incompatible dimmer switches, power issues, and using poor drivers.

1. Loose Connections: Loose connections in LED lights can cause flickering, often due to poor handling during the installation. This may occur where the bulb screws in or within the wiring itself. Sometimes, the wire inside the fixture is too short which makes it quite unstable.
2. Incompatible Dimmer Switch: This is another reason for flickering LED lights. Ordinarily, dimmer switches control brightness by quickly turning the light’s power on and off. This mechanism works for incandescent bulbs but not for LEDs since LED bulbs are designed to operate in either a fully on or off state. So, if you’re using older dimmers that alter current levels for incandescent bulbs, you’ll experience flickering in your LED bulbs.
3. Power Issues: LED light bulb flickering could be due to wattage surges and power issues. It’s even more problematic if you're using cheap drivers. Let’s say you have high-power devices on the same circuit, surges can happen, and with better drivers, the LED output will be stabilized. Also, mixing incandescent and LED bulbs on the same circuit can lead to flickering, as incandescent bulbs use all the available energy, leaving little for the LEDs. Using several incandescent bulbs at once can consume too much power and affect the performance of the LEDs too.
4. Poor Drivers: Having a faulty driver component is one of the common reasons for LED light bulbs flickering. LED drivers not only control the current for the lights but also protect them. If the drivers are defective or not of high quality, they can cause flickering because they absorb more heat over time, affecting their performance.

How to Fix Flickering LED Lights?

Is your LED light currently flickering? Here’s how to fix it:

Step 1. Start by turning off the power to your lights. Don’t forget, safety first!

Step 2. Now, unscrew the bulb and clean up the connection points. Dust or blow into the socket and the bulb base to remove any debris.

Step 3. After cleaning, screw the bulb back in securely. Make sure it’s tight enough to avoid any future flickering before turning the power back on.

Step 4. If flickering persists, it’s time to check the wiring for loose connections. But if proves complicated to you or you’re not comfortable getting involved, consider hiring a professional to take a look.

Step 5. In case you’re using devices that consume lots of voltage, consider moving them to their own circuits. This can reduce electrical stress and flickering, helping to protect your bulbs in the long run.

Step 6. Alternatively, reduce the number of electrical appliances you run at the same time. For example, if you’re running your dishwasher while using several other devices, it can cause voltage fluctuations, leading to LED lights flickering.

Step 7. If your dimmer switch is incompatible with your LEDs, you have two options: switch to older LED bulbs or upgrade your dimmer.

If any of these solutions don’t work, you should seek the assistance of a professional electrician.

Alternatively, you can contact the manufacturer.  If your bulb is under warranty, they should repair or replace it. Even if it’s out of warranty, they can often help you find a suitable replacement.

How to Prevent LED Lights from Flickering in the Future?

LED lights are worthy investments that can change the overall feel and mood of your space. How you handle it matters, so rather than wait until it starts flickering to fix it, why not take the necessary preventive measures to ensure it doesn’t happen at all? Here’s how you can do that:

1. Check Your Power Supply: First, ensure that your home or office has enough power to support all your appliances. Avoid using too many devices at once or better still, get separate circuits for them.
2. Identify Faulty Components: Again, make it a duty to inspect your LED lights frequently for any defective parts. If you find any issues, reach out to the manufacturer, especially if the warranty is still valid.
3. Invest In Your Light Bulbs: LED lights are great investments and to avoid facing flickering issues in the future, it’s best to get high-quality bulbs like eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights. These lights feature a triple-LED design that includes RGB, warm, and cool white LEDs. They offer up to 90 lumens of brightness per bulb and can adjust from 1500K to 9000K in color temperature. The best part is that it is AI-powered, color-changing and can last 55,000 hours, which makes it perfect for stylishly lighting up your gardens, yards, or other outdoor spaces.

4. Invest in Better Drivers: Again, cheap isn’t always cheerful when it comes to LED lights. Low-quality drivers can cause flickering issues, especially if high-power appliances are on the same circuit. Choose LED bulbs with high-quality drivers to minimize problems.
5. Use Constant Drivers: To further prevent future flickering, consider using constant drivers. These help stabilize the power and eliminate current peaks, ensuring your LED lights operate smoothly.

Conclusion

We hope this article has cleared your confusion on why do LED lights flicker. Concurrences alike can be frustrating, especially when it happens in the middle of an important event. However, the good news is that it’s often easy to fix and even easier to prevent.

Sometimes the problem could be loose connections, incompatible dimmer switches, power surges, or faulty drivers - whatever it is, there are practical solutions for them.

Also, taking simple steps like checking your power supply, using high-quality bulbs and drivers, and regularly inspecting your lights can help you avoid flickering issues in the future.

FAQs on Why Do LED Lights Flicker

Do LED lights flicker before they burn out?

No, LED lights don't flicker before they burn out. Instead, they gradually become dimmer over time. If your LED light is flickering, the problem is likely with the dimmer switch, especially if it's an older one. Flickering is a common issue when using older dimmers that aren't compatible with LED bulbs.

Can a flickering LED light bulb be dangerous?

Flickering LED light bulbs can be dangerous. In some industrial environments, they can cause problems and even accidents. Children are especially at risk. Spending long hours studying under flickering LED lights can lead to eye strain and vision issues for kids.