LED Light Suddenly Dim? (Here’s Why)

LED lights are pretty great. They save energy and last forever. But sometimes they can act up, and one of the annoying things that can happen is when they suddenly get dim.

Believe it or not, this is a really common problem. But don’t worry – it’s often a simple issue that can be easily resolved.

In this post, We’ll break down all the reasons why your LED light is suddenly dim, and how to fix it.

#1 Voltage Drops

A voltage drop is the most common reason behind sudden LED dimming. This happens when the electricity coming to your lights isn’t quite enough. 

It could be because of power outages, issues with the electrical grid, or even problems in your home’s electrical system or it could even happen if you overload the circuit (more on this next).

When voltage drops, the current flowing through the LED decreases. And less current means less light emission.

Also Read: 10 Ways to Save On Power And Energy Costs

#2 Overloaded Circuit

Next on our list is an overloaded circuit.

This is what happens when you’ve got too many things plugged in and running on one circuit. 

Your poor circuit is trying its best, but it just can’t keep up and handle everything. So, the voltage gets spread thin, and your LED lights start to dim. This tends to happen more in older houses where the electrical system wasn’t designed for all our modern gadgets.

So if you’ve recently added some new appliances or electronics to your home, this is the reason.

#3 Loose Connections Or Damaged Wires

Now, onto connections and wires. These are super important for your LED lights. If something’s loose or damaged, your lights might not get a steady supply of power. 

This can make the led light suddenly dim or flicker. It could be a loose connection at the light fixture, the switch, or even inside your walls. 

And don’t forget about damaged wires – they can cause the same problem. Maybe they’re old, or perhaps a pesky rodent had a snack. 

Also Read: Keep Your Pets Safe Around Electricity

#4 Overheating

Did you know LEDs can get too hot? They’re sensitive to heat, and overheating will dim them.

When they get too hot, they don’t work as efficiently, so they produce less light. 
The heat can also wear down the materials inside the LED, making it harder for them to light up without needing more power.

Some LED drivers are built to protect against this by reducing the current when things get too hot, which also causes the light to dim.

If your LED keeps overheating, it might not last as long as it should.

#5 LED Will Dim Over Time

Here’s the thing about LED lights – they’re not immortal. Over time, every LED will naturally get a bit dimmer. This is called lumen depreciation, and it happens really slowly. 

Good quality LEDs should keep about 70% of their brightness even after 50,000 hours of use. 

But if they’re not made well, or if they’re dealing with too much heat or electrical stress (overdriving them), they might dim faster than that.

What To Do If Your LED Light Suddenly Dimmed

Okay, so your LED light has suddenly dimmed. What now? Here are some things you can try:

Check For Loose Connections And Overheating

First things first, take a good look at your light fixture. 

Does anything look loose or damaged? Make sure the bulb is screwed in properly and there are no frayed wires or corroded bits. If you are unsure about the light fitting do NOT attempt to fix it yourself and DO NOT touch wires or any damages areas in the light fitting.

If it feels like it could fry an egg, you might have an overheating problem and you will need to get an electrician in to replace that light fitting.

Electrx are Beacon Recommended Lighting Electricians and we installing LED lighting is what we are experts in.

Test Voltage

If you’ve got a multimeter, you can check the voltage at your LED fixture.  

Testing the voltage at your LED fixture can tell you if your lights are getting the right amount of power. Compare the measured voltage to the recommended voltage for your LED lights.

If the voltage is lower than it should be for this light, this could explain the dimming.
If the voltage is always low, you might have a bigger electrical issue on your hands and it is time to call in an electrician to see why this light is being affected.

Test The Dimmer Switch

Got a dimmer switch? Make sure you haven’t accidentally dimmed the lights.
Believe it or not this is one of the most common scenarios we get phone calls about and it is the first thing we ask – Is there a dimmer switch!

Try Turning Off Other Appliances

Now, let’s check if you’ve got an overloaded circuit.
Try turning off other stuff that’s on the same circuit as your LED lights. If your lights get brighter, you’re likely dealing with an overloaded circuit.

To prevent this from happening, you’ll have to redistribute the electrical load by moving some devices to different circuits.
If your home’s electrical system is older or has limited capacity, consider upgrading it.

Also Read: Electrical Upgrades For Your Office

Replace The LED

If none of that works, your LED might just be on its last legs.

Try swapping it out with another LED from your house. If this bulb restores the full brightness, it means the old one was likely just ready for retirement.
So go ahead and get a new LED bulb.

However, if swapping bulbs didn’t fix it, it’s probably one of the other causes.

Bottom Line

So there you have it! LED lights can dim suddenly for all these reasons.
And now you know what to look for and how to fix it yourself.

But remember, if you’re not sure about anything electrical, it’s always best to call in an electrician such as Electrx Electricians – Get in touch with us today