Looking to add a bit of flair to your indoor or outdoor space? Lighting makes all the difference and fairy lights have become the go-to for both novice and professional decorators alike. The primary reason this type of lighting is preferred is due to its ultimate versatility. Essentially, fairy lights can be placed anywhere you would like to add a little extra lighting and ambiance. However, they can come with some problems.
For generations, depictions of fairy lights not working properly have brought audiences a lot of humor on movies and television, but it is no laughing matter when it happens to you. What do you do when this unfortunate issue occurs? Read on, and we will help you with your dilemma.
- The Entire Strand of Fairy Lights Won’t Turn On
- Part of Fairy Lights Not Working
- USB Fairy Lights Not Working
The Entire Strand of Fairy Lights Won’t Turn On
The anticipation of a stunning light experience is expected when the switch is turned on for your fairy lights. However, when you find your entire string of LED fairy lights not working, disappointment and subsequent frustration will be seen by everyone. Do not fret, try these tips for when the entire strand of fairy lights won’t turn on.
1. Inspect the Fuse
Every set of fairy lights has a fuse. It is located in the plug. When you purchase your fairy lights, most come with a small bag containing a replacement fuse. If you realize your lights are not turning on when powered, most often the culprit is the fuse. To replace the fuse, the plug has a small slot that will slide open or can be opened with a screwdriver. Some models have a replacement fuse in this location as well, so make sure you remove the fuse that is actually connected and not the replacement. Simply pull the blown fuse out and replace it with a new one.
2. Check the Appearance of the Cable
If you find the fuse is not the issue, inspecting the cable is the next step. Look over the cable carefully to see if there are any breaches obstructing the current flow of your lights. When stored, insects, rodents, and the occasional pet can chew the wires. Even the smallest bite into the wire can cause it to malfunction. Take special care to repair any exposed wiring by wrapping it in electrical tape. Should you notice the actual wire is cut, you will likely have to purchase a new set of lights as fixing the breach can sometimes become a fire hazard.
Check MAXvolador smart RGB fairy light. It comes with a mobile phone app and is sound-reactive to music or voices. DIY enthusiasts also love it because of its smart DIY features.
Instead of fairy lights, you can also try rope lights or string lights to decorate your Christmas tree or rooms.
3. Faulty Shunt
Current flow is what makes fairy lights possible. Electricity must be able to pass through the device freely and in a direct path for lighting to take place. Sometimes a breach can occur in the shunt of the light. The shunt is a set of wires located at the base of the filament. It directs the current to each light, but when it becomes broken, inactive, or obstructed, the lights will not function. The shunt can be fixed by reactivating the shunt’s electric current. Light Keeper Pro and similar tools can help you reconfigure a connection if the shunt is malfunctioning.
Part of Fairy Lights Not Working
One might think that fairy lights would be on a continuous circuit, but that is not the case of this type of lighting. Each set of fairy lights runs on the use of parallel circuits meaning that the input from the AC adapter sends electricity across the circuit from the output. Generally, each strand of lights maintains a separate circuit for a certain number of lights. For instance, if you have a strand of 100 lights, the strand might contain 5 circuits, 20 lights for each circuit. When one of these circuits neglects to work, it means a portion of the lights will go out while the others remain on. There are a few ways this can happen.
1. Check the Wires
The first culprit is the wiring itself. Fairy lights, when stored away, can be prone to pests getting into or chewing the wiring. Often, people simply look for the outside wiring. Of course, if you notice the wiring has been chewed, the device is not safe to use unless it is properly fixed and any exposed wiring is secured with electrical tape. However, fairy lights can be obstructed by interior debris from vermin and insects. This can be more involved to check out but make sure to open the fuse box and anywhere that allows for a quick look inside where wiring connections are located. Cleaning connections can often restore power to the circuit, provided the wires are intact.
2. Test Which Bulb is Out
The oldest and most trusted way to fix fairy lights not working is to check each, individual bulb. A volt taster can help if you have access to one, but it is just as easy to use a good bulb to check each and every light to make sure the issue is not simply a bad bulb. This can be time-consuming, but it is the reason most sets of fairy lights come with additional bulbs. If you are out of extra bulbs and have to purchase more, make sure your new lights match the voltage of your AC adapter.
USB Fairy Lights Not Working
Modern fairy lights can utilize a USB power source. This is excellent for those who want to use fairy lights without access to a traditional home electrical outlet. A USB connection can be plugged into virtually anything such as a computer or even your car. They work just like any other USB-charged device, so USB fairy lights are far more versatile than traditional varieties. However, if you find your USB fairy lights not working, there are a few things you need to check.
1. Check the Power Source
The first thing to check on your USB fairy lights is the actual power source. If the connection to the source is not strong enough, the lights cannot get power. Make sure your power source is adequate enough to supply the proper power. Often, you cannot power other devices with your computer or similar items without the original host being plugged in.
2. Check the USB Port
If the power source is adequate, the next option is to look at the USB port. Check for any obstructions that might be keeping power from the fairy lights. Broken USB ports are not always a death sentence for the fairy lights. If the connection is broken, you might be able to solder the connection back together, but please be careful when performing this task and do it at your own risk.
Final Word
Fairy lights can be very easy to diagnose and repair. Easy fixes do not require any additional tools, but more involved repair may require a voltage meter and soldering tools. However, when the fairy lights cannot be repaired, there are a variety of modern lights to choose from, so never neglect the need to upgrade your fairy lights to stunning new ones.
