Troubleshooting LED Light Strips Why Is Only One Of My LED Light Strips Working?

 LED strips come in an extensive array of sizes, densities, and color qualities. Yet, a shared experience among users is the occasional challenge in getting them to operate seamlessly. 

Drawing from our extensive years of engagement with LED strips, we have compiled a roster of prevalent issues that hinder their functionality, along with effective troubleshooting measures.

Keep in mind that in certain diagnostic steps outlined below, maintaining the power supply's connection and activation is necessary to carry out the test. Approach these tasks cautiously, and seek guidance from a qualified professional if uncertainty arises regarding the safe execution of these procedures.

>>> See more LED Lights and Beyond: The Next Frontier in Lighting

When the LED strip remains completely unlit

Despite connecting the power supply to the LED strip and flipping the switch, you're met with silence. What's causing this hiccup?

To diagnose the issue, undertake the following measures:

Validate the compatibility of your power supply's voltage

For instance, if your power supply outputs 12V DC, it won't be compatible with a 24V LED strip. Inspect the rear of the power supply unit; it should bear the marked output voltage. Correspondingly, examine the LED strip itself, where the input voltage will be indicated at the connection points.

Ensure the proper functioning of your power supply

Employ a multimeter for a swift test to assess the voltage disparity across the two output wires or between the inner pin and outer barrel of the DC plug. If the displayed voltage falls below the rated value, it's plausible that the power supply is experiencing a malfunction.

Keep in mind that the power supply must be operational during this testing phase.

Examine and isolate other components sharing the same circuit

Detach any optional dimmers and controllers from the setup, and attempt to illuminate the LED strip without these supplementary devices. If the LED strip responds, it signifies an issue with the dimmer, controller, or the connection leading to or from those accessories.

Please note that the power supply should remain active during this examination.

It should be an obvious caution, but never directly connect a low voltage DC LED strip (e.g., 12V/24V) to a high mains voltage (e.g., 120V/240V) wall outlet!

Inspect for any evident loose connections

Ensure that all connectors and wires are securely in place and have not become dislodged. Consider tightening screws on DC adapters and re-inserting LED strips into solderless connectors, which are common sources of contact failure.

For those equipped with a multimeter, assess the voltage disparity between the positive and negative (ground) wires/terminals at each juncture along the circuit. Initiate from the power supply's DC output and progress towards the LED strip. 

If there's no voltage differential between the LED strip's positive and negative copper pads, it suggests a malfunction upstream in the circuit, preventing power from reaching the LED strip segment.

Scan for Indications of Apparent Short Circuits

Particularly when soldering your own wires instead of using solderless accessories, inadvertent short circuits can arise from the inadvertent contact between positive and negative wires.

Conduct a swift visual sweep of your entire LED strip setup, ensuring proper separation of these wires.

These types of short circuits are notably more prone when dealing with multi-channel strip lights, such as 5-color LED strips, which comprise 6 connection points.

Examine for Concealed Short Circuit Signals

In the event that no visible short circuits are detected through the initial visual inspection, the next step involves assessing hidden short circuits. Utilizing a multimeter is the swiftest method for this task.

Position the multimeter probes on the positive (+) and negative (-) copper pads on the LED strip, then gauge the resistance level. If no short circuit exists, the multimeter should indicate infinite resistance. Any displayed resistance value signifies the presence of a short circuit.

Should a short circuit be indicated, detach accessories and wires, and assess whether the short circuit on the LED strip persists. If it endures, this hints at an issue with the LED strip.

A common site for short circuits is the point where an LED strip has been cut using scissors. Typically, LED strips consist of two copper layers separated by a thin insulation layer. In certain instances, an imperfect scissor cut might breach the insulation layer, resulting in a short circuit.

Identifying a short circuit on a segment of the LED strip while lacking visible indicators necessitates cutting off the final 1-2 inches from both ends of the strip. This eliminates the potentially compromised cut-line section. 

For a clean cut, we recommend employing sharp scissors, as dull ones could inadvertently compress the copper and insulation layers, instigating a short circuit.

Uneven Dimness along the LED Strip

Is your LED strip performing well but displaying a noticeable discrepancy in brightness at one end? This common issue, often seen in lower quality LED strips, typically stems from voltage drop.

Voltage drop materializes due to either an excessive electrical current for a given circuit design, elevated resistance within the circuitry, or a combination of both factors.

>>> See more Overheating Concerns - LED Strip Excessively Hot to the Touch

Assess Your Circuit Design

Most LED strips come with a recommended maximum run length, based on power consumption per foot and internal circuitry layout. As each section of the LED strip must carry current for all downstream LED segments, connecting an excessively lengthy LED strip can surpass the power capacity for the sections closest to the power source.

The immediate consequence of overburdening an LED strip with excessive power is voltage drop, leading to diminishing voltage supply as you move farther from the power source. This voltage reduction occurs due to the inherent resistance in the copper traces of the PCB.

Remember, wires linking LED strips or interconnecting them also possess internal resistance. Inadequately thick wires can exacerbate voltage drop. Utilize our online wire gauge calculator to ascertain whether your wire specification aligns with the requirements of your setup.

Inspecting Electrical Resistance

Elevated electrical resistance can stem from inadequate electrical connections and corroded copper components. Thoroughly scrutinize the wiring of your LED strip, ensuring all points of contact are clean and robust.

In extreme instances, inadequate contact spots can generate heat, escalating the risk of fire. Thus, identifying and rectifying such scenarios serves as a crucial safety precaution.

Analyzing Voltage Drop

The most conclusive approach to pinpoint if voltage drop is affecting your LED strip entails measuring the voltage amid the copper pads at various junctures along the strip. A gradual decrease in voltage as you move away from the power source signals the presence of voltage drop.

Nearly all LED strips manifest some degree of voltage drop. Whether it metamorphoses into a substantial issue hinges on the extent of the drop. For instance, a 12V LED strip might diminish to 11.5V at the remote end from the power supply, typically not posing a major concern. 

Conversely, a drop below 10V suggests a significant voltage drop that is highly likely to cause a conspicuous reduction in brightness, warranting attention.

Dimming of LED Strip Over Time

Observing a gradual decline in brightness across your LED strips could trace back to two potential causes:

Decreased Input Voltage to the LED Strip

In investigating the root cause between these two possibilities, initiate by gauging the input voltage at the junction where the LED strip connects to the power supply (marked by the initial set of copper pads).

Should the input voltage at this point fall beneath the anticipated level (e.g., 10V for a 12V LED strip), it's likely that the issue stems from the power supply or a loose/corroded connection linking the LED strip and the power supply.

On a positive note, your LED strip is likely in satisfactory condition, and rectifying your wiring or replacing the power supply should effectively resolve the matter.

Deterioration in LED Brightness

If during the initial evaluation, you ascertain that the LED strips are receiving the designated input voltage as intended (e.g., 12V for a 12V system), yet the decline in brightness persists, it might signify a significant issue with the LED strip itself.

Ordinarily, LEDs are engineered to endure over 36,000 hours, but subpar products might compromise design and manufacturing, resulting in premature malfunctions. In such cases, the sole recourse might be a comprehensive replacement of the LED strip.

LED Strip Adhesive Erosion

If segments of your LED strip are detaching from their affixed surface, it's possible that the LED strip was equipped with inadequate double-sided tape. You might contemplate reapplying a fresh layer of double-sided tape, or opting for mounting brackets and screws to establish a sturdier and enduring installation.

We advocate for favoring superior quality LED strip lights that are more prone to incorporate higher adhesion double-sided tape, like the renowned 3M VHB tape, for a steadfast and reliable adherence solution.

Partial LED Strip Darkening

If your LED strip exhibits a fully illuminated stretch but unveils a segment of 3 LEDs (or 6 LEDs for 24V) that remains unlit, you might be encountering an "open circuit" within that particular section.

This occurrence suggests that either a manufacturing imperfection or mechanical damage during shipping or installation has caused a detachment of one of the LEDs or components within that specific section. This detachment results in a complete electrical disconnection limited to that section of LEDs.

If you possess soldering skills, attempting to reheat the solder joints for each LED and component along the non-functional segment could be worthwhile. 

Otherwise, your optimal course of action would be to seek a replacement from your supplier (if a warranty is in place) or to eliminate the faulty section by cutting along the designated cut-lines. Subsequently, reconnect the two segments employing connector clips.

Conclude

At LBBS, we meticulously craft LED strips to meet stringent standards of quality and dependability, aiming to circumvent prevalent problems akin to those elucidated earlier. Regrettably, this level of assurance is not consistently mirrored in numerous "budget" LED strip lights accessible on the market.

Should you encounter any predicaments with an LED strip light procured from us, we urge you to reach out to us without delay. Moreover, if you're grappling with challenges concerning an LED strip light obtained elsewhere, we extend a warm invitation to seek our assistance. 

>>> See more Best Led Light Strip - BLLS