Why Did My LED Lights Suddenly Stop Working- Fix Like A Pro

Last updated on October 17th, 2023 at 09:08 pm

LED lights are part of every home. They are durable and long-lasting. However, become annoying if Led Lights suddenly stop working.

Obviously, there is a strong reason behind this behavior. A few common factors can lead to the failure of LED lights.

What I Did When My LED Lights Stopped Working

Last month, 10 of the LEDs in my home stopped working without any apparent reason. The rest continue working fine. I contacted the seller and he replaced the lights as they were under warranty.

But, the problem worsened when the new lights also refused to work. This led me to the point that my electric wiring is defective.

So, I checked the whole system and connection. Finally, I figured out the cause and solved the problem.

Solution #1. Check Voltage Compatibility

The power supply and LED voltage should be the same. It means the input power from your electric outlet should be enough for the lights.

For instance, a 24V LED will not work when plugged into a 12V DC power supply. You can check the voltage written on the back of the power supply unit. Also, check the voltage value on your lights.

Solution #2. Test the Power Supply

It is quite possible that the power supply outlet is faulty. It has burnt out due to a short circuit or power surge. A simple test is to plug an electronic device into the same outlet.

Alternately, plug your LED light into a different power supply unit. This will determine whether the lights are faulty or the supply outlet. Further, you should test the outlet with a multimeter.

Solution #3. Check the Circuit

Heavy electronic appliances on the same circuit can also cause this issue. Because the high voltage devices need more power. While the LED strips or lights use very low power.

The solution is to connect your lights to a different circuit that is not overloaded. Moreover, remove the extra wires, controllers, or dimmers. If you have plugged into the extension, check its functioning.

Solution #4. Secure the Connections

People plug the charger into their phone but forget to turn ON the power supply. It might have happened to you at least once. Honestly speaking, I often commit this mistake while multitasking.

The same can be the reason behind suddenly stopped lights. The power supply is OFF or the connection is loose. So, check all the contact points and tighten the screws on the DC adapters.

Further, test the voltage difference of the circuit with a multimeter. Zero difference between the positive and negative ends indicates the power supply has a problem.

Solution #5. Inspect the Controller

LED strips come with a controller. While most controllers come with a plug-in-power supply. Either of the components can become defective.

So, the lights stop working all of a sudden. Use a different power supply but with the same voltage. Generally, a 12V supply is needed for testing.

If the lights do not respond then you should replace the controller. But, first, examine it carefully to confirm it has failed.

Solution #6. Stabilize Power Fluctuations

This reason is not common. However, power fluctuations can occur in some conditions. For example, heavy electrical machinery such as boilers or fan heaters is on the same circuit.

The electrical wiring of your home is old, incorrectly dimensioned, or weak. Therefore, heavy appliances cause voltage fluctuations. Moreover, large industrial machines in the neighborhood can also cause power problems.

In this case, some other electronic gadgets at your home also stop working. The solution is to call an expert electrician who should do a complete checkup of your home electric system.

Solution #7. Detect the Short Circuit

A short circuit can happen due to a sudden power surge or blackout. It can also occur accidentally when the positive and negative wires touch each other.

The soldering of wires leads to such issues. Quickly review your connections and lights for any visible signs of a short circuit. Invisible signs can be detected through a multimeter.

Touch the multimeter probes with the positive and negative ends of the strips. Check the value of resistance, it should be infinite. A defined value indicates a short circuit.

Solution #8. Reinstall the Lights

If your LED bulbs have stopped working, reinstall them. The bulbs are fitted in a wall holder. Maybe the bulb is not fitted tightly. So, take the light out of the holder.

Now, check the connection points in the holder. They should not be bent too far. Otherwise, the contact points will not touch the bulb and fail to deliver the current.

Hence, you have to replace the holder. Otherwise, simply reinstalling the lights can help.

Solution #9. Damaged LED Strips

LED strips have clear marking to cut them off. However, if you do not cut properly, the strips are damaged. Because they have an insulation layer between two layers of copper.

Your scissors have cut along the wrong line thus harming the insulation layer. This leads to a short circuit and LED lights suddenly stop working.

This problem can be solved by cutting the ends about 1-2 inches. But, be sure to use sharp scissors to cut finely.

FAQs About LED Lights

Let us know something more to help you fix the bad lights.

Do LED lights burn out easily?

Incandescent bulbs produce light using heat. However, LEDs do not use heat and are more efficient. But, their internal components are sensitive to overheating. So, they can burn out if too much heat.

Can LED lights be repaired?

The LED light bulbs can be repaired. If the chip fails, it can be replaced. Moreover, other components are also replaceable. However, you have to diagnose the problem correctly.

Why do my LEDs burn out?

LEDs usually burn out due to high voltage or overheating. Further, bad contacts, incompatible dimmer switches, or recessed lightning can also damage the lights. A power surge or short circuit are other reasons that can burn out the bulbs or strips.

Also Read: Fluorescent Light power up suddenly? 

Final Words

If your new LEDs have stopped working, it is a matter of concern. You must try all the troubleshooting hacks I explained. If nothing works, contact the manufacturer of your lights.

However, the failure of older lights may be due to their expiry. So, you have to install the new lights in your home.

Personally, I found reinstalling very helpful in fixing some of my LED lights that stopped working suddenly. You can be benefited from other solutions. Let us know in the comment section.