How to Fix LED Strip Lights That Don’t Turn On

LED Strip Lights are great lighting solutions for most purposes and applications, as they offer many advantages over other lighting solutions, such as fluorescent lightbulbs. 

However, as wonderful as they are, they can sometimes stop working or refuse to turn on. 

There are many reasons why this can happen, so if you’re looking for some solid answers, you’ve come to the right place. We’re experts in all things LED lighting related, so keep reading to get your LED Strip Lights back to normal quickly.

Common LED Strip Light Issues and How to Solve Them

LED Strip Lights are not too complex when it comes to their design or the technology that makes them work. However, they can manifest different symptoms when not working properly that can leave people confused. When our customers reach out for answers regarding an LED Strip Light acting funny, we usually focus on the following issues. 

Failure to Turn On

Starting with the issue at the title, let’s talk about the reasons why your LED Strip Light might not be turning on. Typically, when an LED Strip Light isn’t turning on, it can be either due to a bad power outlet, a bad driver, or even an issue with your circuit board. 

Any of these could be responsible for the current malfunction in your LED Strip Light, so it’s important to address them individually. 

Let’s start simple. First, test the wall outlet the LED Strip Light is connected to by unplugging it and plugging something else in. If the device you plugged in works normally, the outlet is likely not to blame. If you want to investigate further and own a multimeter, you can use it to test the outlet and get full confirmation on its status. 

Once you’ve ruled out a faulty outlet, you should check your home’s circuit board. Sometimes, either due to a variation in voltage or another electrical issue, circuit board switches can flip without warning, leading to confusion. Make sure that the switch linked to the area where your LED Strip Light is installed is turned on and working properly. 

It’s also possible for your circuit board to be failing, but if every other electrical appliance in your home is working normally, this is highly unlikely. 

The last possible culprit for this issue is a bad LED Driver. If you’re not sure what that is, don’t worry, it’s pretty simple. In a nutshell, LED Drivers help protect your LED Strip Lights by regulating the incoming voltage and guaranteeing proper AC/DC conversion.

If you’re already using one, it might be failing, and you’ll want to get a replacement. Products like our Mean Well 12V 100W LED Driver are an ideal option for replacement, as it offers IP67 protection that makes it suitable for outdoor applications, and a 2-year warranty to help you shop with confidence. 

Dim Lighting

If your LED Strip Light is working, but it seems to have a very low Lumen output and is dimmer than you’d like, don’t worry—the causes and solution around this issue are fairly simple. 

Typically, dim lighting in LED Strip Lights is the result of choosing the wrong voltage for the application you need the light for. 

For most purposes, LED Strip Lights are divided into main categories: 12-volt and 24-volt. The former is ideal for running them across shorter distances, whereas the latter should be preferred if you’re planning to install them in a larger area that requires more coverage. 

If you’re using a 12-volt LED Strip Light and running it across a patio or a large hall, you’re likely to encounter dimming due to voltage limitations. 

Overheating

One of the main advantages that LED lighting has over fluorescent lighting and other methods is that they do not get as hot, considerably reducing the chances of accidental burns and unwanted heat generation in a tight space. 

However, if your LED Strip Light is getting more voltage than it requires due to a power surge or unregulated electrical current, it can overheat, dramatically reducing its lifespan. 

The best way to prevent overheating is to get an LED Driver and pair it with your LED Strip Light. This way, you can rest easy knowing that your LED Strip Light is always getting the right voltage. 

Unresponsive Remote Control

One of the greatest advantages of LED lights is that you can control them remotely, which can be very useful if they’re installed in high ceilings and other inaccessible areas. However, when your LED Strip Light is not listening to your remote control, convenience can quickly turn into a chore. 

If you’re certain that your LED Strip Light’s remote batteries are okay, then it’s very likely that there’s another electronic device interfering with the signal sent from the controller to the LED lights. In such cases, you’ll want to try unplugging nearby TVs, radios, and other electronic devices and test your remote control again to see if the issue is resolved.  

Is Your LED Strip Light Still Not Turning On?

If you’ve already tried all the solutions on this list and your LED Strip Light is still not working, then you might have a faulty product that you’ll want to replace. Here at LEDSAVE, we have all the LED lighting products you need to light your home and business, so if you’re in the market for a new LED Strip Light, be sure to check out our catalogue.  

If you have any questions regarding our products, please do not hesitate to email us at enquiries@ledsave.co.uk, or give us a ring at 01652 638840. We’re open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Please check out our contact page for more information.