Why do LED bulbs flicker?
This is one question we get asked a lot. So we decided to dedicate an entire blog post to it.
LED bulbs mainly flicker because of a non-compatible or a poor-quality dimmer or because of a fault in the bulb, in the wiring, or in the current regulation.
Let’s look at these causes—and their solutions—in detail.
- Loose wiring or loose bulb
Another common cause of LED bulb flickering is loose connections or circuits. Screwing the LED bulb tighter may help fix the issue, so do give it a try. In case you see a lot of dust in the fixture, first remove the dust by blowing out the connection points. Only after you’ve removed dust put the bulb back in.
Sometimes, an LED bulb may flicker because of a short wire length in the fixture. Make sure all wires are at least 6 inches long.
Loose wiring at the fixture point can also be a culprit. In that case, you’ll need to send for your local electrician, who’ll re-tighten the wiring. This, in turn, will solve the flickering of LED bulbs.
- Inrush current from appliances
Certain appliances require more power when you turn them on. The voltage can drop because of the inrush current of motors within such appliances. In case the lights and appliances using a high-power load are connected on the same circuit, a surge in wattage will affect your LED.
- Dimmer compatibility
Not all existing dimmers are compatible with LED bulbs. Having a non-dimmable light in a dimmable fixture can also cause problems. We recommend you to only use high-quality dimmers. Also, don’t use a non-dimmable light in a dimmable fixture.
All LED lights on our website are dimmable. We also provide high-quality dimmers which can help fix the problem of LED flickering.
- A bad capacitor
If the capacitor is of poor quality, it may not be able to withstand the sustained heat coming from the internal components.
For this reason, it’s always advisable to invest in high-quality LED bulbs. While purchasing an LED bulb, look for a flicker-free sign against it. If the product has it, you can rest assured knowing it won’t flicker.
Here’s the sign you need to watch out for:
Final Words
LED bulbs flicker for a number of reasons. As often as not, the cause is not the LED bulb itself but rather a non-compatible dimmer or loose wiring. If your LED bulbs are flickering, the solutions listed in this post can help you resolve the issue once and for all.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I stop my LED lights from flickering?
The first thing you must do is ensure your dimmer is compatible with your LED bulb. Also make sure you are not using a non-dimmer bulb in a dimmable fixture. Another thing worth checking for is loose wirings within the bulb. If none of these solutions work, ask your local electrician to have a look at the wiring at the fixture. If there are any loose connections, it may affect your LED lights.
- Are flickering LED lights dangerous?
Flickering LED lights can be annoying for sure, but they are not dangerous. That said, if the flickering is occurring because of a loose connection in the house, then that should be addressed as soon as possible.
- What causes LED downlights to flicker?
More often than not, the reason is a poorly matched LED driver. Therefore, make sure your LED driver is right for the LED downlights.