Do you have LED light bulb stays on even when the power switch is off?
Well, you are not alone.
This is a pretty common problem (especially with cheap, low-quality LEDs). The good part is you can fix the problem easily—and by the end of this post you will know exactly what you need to do.
So let’s get rolling.
Why Do LED Bulbs Glow When Off?
LED bulbs may continue to glow faintly even when turned off due to their built-in power supply unit, which has a much higher resistance compared to halogen or incandescent bulbs. When a glow lamp is connected in series, it keeps the circuit partially active even when the switch is off. This causes a small voltage drop, allowing a low current to reach the LED driver, resulting in a dim glow. This is a common occurrence in LED lighting and can often be resolved by ensuring proper wiring or using a bypass capacitor.
Apart from this, there are three other reasons because of which LED bulbs may glow even when off. These are:
- Poor quality
LED bulbs vary a lot in quality. A low-quality LED may glow, buzz, or flicker even when switched off
- A problem with electricity circuit
At times the problem lies not with the bulbs but with the electricity circuit. What happens in such cases is that the light switch lets through electricity residue even when you turn off the switch.
This, in turn, can happen because of any of the following two reasons:
The earth wire is at an extremely high resistance or the neutral wire is not bonded properly to the earth.
An electromagnetic induction may be causing a small pick-up of electricity from cables running along each other.
- Light switches are leaking
Fine switches with advanced features such as motion sensors, indicator lights, and timers are widely available today. They have become very popular because they offer more features compared to standard switches.
These versatile switches require very little power in standby mode. LED light bulbs might draw some electricity from fine switches when you turn them off and in turn emit a low buzz or dim glow.
The same is true in the case of electronic dimmers. These dimmers require adequate power to work efficiently. Even when the electricity is turned off, the LED light bulb might continue to emit a light glow by drawing electricity from its dimmer.
How to Stop Your LED Bulb From Glowing When Switched Off?
- Replace the LED bulb
Have you recently replaced incandescent bulbs with LEDs only to find them glowing when off?
If yes, we recommend you buy a replacement from a recognized and reputable brand, like ours.
- Make sure there’s no problem with the wiring
Ask your electrician to look at the wiring in your home. He or she will be in the best position to advise if the “LED bulb glowing when off problem” is occurring because of cabling packed too close or some other wiring problem.
- Install zenzer diodes
A zenzer diode can help adjust the voltage of a circuit. The zenzer diode prevents the lamp from glowing when the lights are turned off. Contact your local electrician, who can recommend the correct size of zenzer diode you need.
- Use the bypass capacitor
If the issue still persists, consider installing a bypass capacitor, which prevents current leakage.