If you find this blog, you must have the question ——why do my lights keep flickering?
LED lights have significantly influenced the lighting industry with their energy-efficient, cost-effective, and durable features. However, despite these benefits, LED lights are also prone to have issues, such as flickering or strobing, which can quickly diminish their utility and cause interruptions in daily activities.
LED light flickering or flashing can be annoying since they degrade the quality of the light and may even make your eyes and head hurt.
This article covers seven tips to fix LED light flickering or strobing. We’ll address common causes and the solutions.
- Part 1. Why LED Lights Keep Flickering and How to Resolve the Issue
- Part 2. Can Flickering Lights Cause a Fire?
Why LED Lights Keep Flickering and How to Resolve the Issue
There are several common causes to consider when you are analyzing why your LED lights keep flashing. Voltage fluctuation, loose connections, wrong bulbs or dimmers, low-quality LEDs, faulty switches or plugs, and improper component configurations can all contribute to light flickering. Fortunately, most of these issues can be resolved with simple solutions. Keep reading.
1. Loose Connection
One of the common causes of LED light flickering is a loose connection. A loose bulb or wiring within the light fixture can generate an unstable power supply, resulting in intermittent light output.
Fortunately, fixing this issue is simple and doesn’t require any expertise; all you need to do is tighten the bulbs manually. Check for any loose connections between your light fixture and the electric box or junction box.
If tightening doesn’t fix the issue, consider replacing old fixtures with new ones to avoid causing damage from short circuits. If not dealt with accordingly, it may disrupt the current flow even further, intensifying existing tensions within other components.
Tightening screw terminals, which includes adding spade lugs where cables and switches are exposed, also helps keep everything secure.
2. Wrong Bulb
LED light flickering can be caused by using the wrong bulb. For example, you might have installed a non-dimmable LED light on your dimmable light fixture or placed an incompatible LED in a lighting fixture that wasn’t meant to support it.
To prevent this, verify the bulb type required by the fixture and only use compatible bulbs. Also, confirm the compatibility of LED bulbs with any dimming switches before installing them in those locations.
While replacing or upgrading LED bulbs, you should be cautious because they differ from conventional incandescent bulbs. Ensure that you select an appropriate type of bulb that is compatible with your specific fixtures and dimming systems.
3. Incompatible Dimmer
In addition to using the incorrect bulb, LED light flickering may occur when an incompatible dimmer switch is used. Older dimmers were not intended for use with modern LED technology due to the reduced power consumption compared to conventional incandescent bulbs.
The solution to this problem would be to upgrade to a newer type of dimmer switch, specifically one that’s compatible with LED bulbs. You could consult an electrician who can help replace your old dimmers with new ones and at the same time make sure other lights in your house get upgraded.
4. Low-quality LED Bulbs
Another reason why you might be experiencing LED light flickering is due to the use of low-quality LED bulbs. Cheap or lower-quality LEDs can cause a number of issues such as brightness inconsistencies, color temperature variations and even flickering.
Replacing poor-quality LEDs with high-quality ones should help reduce any flicker problems that occur within the fixture. Don’t make the mistake of compromising on the quality just to get cheaper price tags because there might be greater consequences down the line if these bulbs start malfunctioning putting both your home’s occupants and assets at risk when fires spring up out of nowhere due to cheap faulty bulbs.
5. Faulty Switch or Loose Light Plug
In the event that your LED lights flicker intermittently, it could possibly be attributed to a faulty switch or a loose light plug. Electrical issues like this can sometimes occur if there are old wiring connections in place.
The best way to deal with these problems is by looking for any damaged switches and outlet plugs within the circuit. If anything looks frayed or broken make sure you replace them as soon as possible.
You may consider calling an electrician because repairs involving electricity should only be handled by qualified personnel.
6. Faulty Components
Another possible reason why your LED light might be flickering is due to faulty components such as a malfunctioning LED driver. The driver regulates the amount of power that goes into the fixture which allows for consistent performance.
If the LED driver fails, it may cause inconsistent voltage and current flow resulting in an unstable light output leading to flickering.
Replacing a defective LED driver isn’t something you should attempt yourself unless you’re qualified because it requires specialized knowledge and tools. You can consider purchasing a new LED bulb.
7. Voltage Fluctuation
Voltage fluctuation is a common reason for LED light flickering. Suppose you experience flickering when a high-power-consuming appliance turns on, like an air conditioner or refrigerator, or work with heavy machinery. In that case, it might be an indication that your electrical system is unable to distribute sufficient voltage consistently throughout your house. This issue results in the leading cause of voltage drops and eventual light flicker.
To resolve this issue, make adjustments by reducing the load on your electric service panel by removing some appliances temporarily before rewiring your home (depending on local approvals). Upgrade to high-grade wiring solutions which can significantly diminish voltage drop and enhance lighting quality. You will need an electrician to do that.
Can Flickering Lights Cause a Fire?
Although flickering lights may not directly cause a fire, they can serve as an initial indication of electrical issues that could potentially result in hazardous circumstances such as electrical fires.
For instance, flashing or flickering may result from loose connections that produce excess heat or damaged fixtures with open circuits that generate sparks. These conditions create an ideal environment for potential combustion and put everyone in the house at risk.
It is therefore essential to have flickering lights checked promptly by qualified electricians who can diagnose root causes. They will conduct appropriate testing and repairs keeping your lighting system safe and effective thereby preventing any risks it poses over time.
