Christmas Lights: Your Comprehensive Troubleshooting and How to Guide. The bulb that doesn’t respond to the tester is the burnt one. You can hardly see the light in the bulbs. Unplug the lights and slide the hatch open in the plug. Another way to know if a fuse has blown is when the fuse’s glass part looks dark or burnt. Tip: Consider buying an extra light strand to act as a sacrificial strand; from this, you can get plenty of identical bulbs for replacement. This means the lights are designed to last one to three seasons, depending on your usage. Using your fingernail or a pencil, flick each light bulb carefully while the strand is still plugged in. To check for loose bulbs, plug in the lights to power and shake the light set gently and you’ll notice flickering on the loose bulbs. All of the remaining lights in that chunk will go dark. Tip: If the copper wires on your light strands are uncovered due to damage, it’s wise to replace the light set with a new one. Tried unplugging it and plugging it back in, wiggling the cord, plugging it into a different socket and they still won't light up. To replace a fuse, take a small set of pliers or flathead screwdriver and slide open the cover. If the plug prongs on your string of lights look dark or corroded, bring back their brass shine by rubbing them with a sheet of medium or fine grit sandpaper. A good home is a happy place. This year, when about to put up the Christmas lights, I spotted that one set wouldn’t turn on and had a brainwave for fixing them. To fix the issue, rub the prongs to remove the brown substance with medium or fine-grit sandpaper and wipe the dust off with a dry washcloth. Always tie your light sets around a cardboard piece during storage to prevent tangles and loose bulbs. Some replacements come with the plastic base attached; if not, use the old one. Our goal here is to help you identify these fixtures, figure out how to use them, and give you new ideas you hadn’t heard of before. This begs the question why bother providing the fuse. Christmas lights are pretty inexpensive and do not last long, so you can always target for holiday offers and buy several at a time. The string recepticle is the logical location but it appears to be difficult to open without destroying the casing. The effect looks like glowing icicles and they are used to decorate rooftops, eaves, porches and even doorways. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. My grand daughter said "granpa, they're not out, just dim". Icicle lights consist of long strands of lights dangling down from a main cord. Some bulbs have 2 wires and then in the middle where the burn starts that bulb has 3 wires. Instead of buying a new light set, here are a few easy steps to identifying and fixing the problem. Unplug the strand then remove the burnt bulb, which will be the first in the dark section. 2. Straighten the wires on the new bulb, thread them through the two holes at the bottom of the plastic base, and then smooth them. Most light strings are usually two sets connected; that’s why half of it can blow out, it means the circuit has broken on one side of the series connection. Check more how to tips and tricks on this Christmas Lights: Your Comprehensive Troubleshooting and How to Guide. Plug the strand to power to identify the burnt bulb and mark it. For light strings that commonly have over 50 bulbs, they are constructed in 2 or more continuous circuits. Half a strand out, flip the plug 180 degrees and the other half is out. How to Hang Christmas Lights Outdoors Without Nails. Keep in mind that the dark section can have more than one burnt bulb, so check the whole section for burnt bulbs, mark them, and then replace them. The non working LED will obviously be in the string half that is not working. Have a look below for a poor chap faced with the ultimate Christmas light nightmare - 91,000 lights - … What Video Doorbells Work With Apple Homekit? Next, check out our handy holiday decorating tips here. This tool will send a pulse that will reactivate any faulty shunt on the strand. Insert the light repair tool into the bulb socket and squeeze the trigger about 15-2 times to activate a circuit into the light strand. When part of your Christmas lights isn’t working, finding the problem can take out the fun in putting up holiday decor. At 60 Hz (i.e. The first step is always to check out the quality of sealing and add a drop of grease to stop water from getting into the light. That’s how you can lose 1/2 or 1/3 or 1/4 of the string. Broken fairy lights are frustrating and it can take hours to fix them. Before you head to the store for new ones, try out these troubleshooting methods applicable to LED Christmas lights as well as a few helpful tips to make your seasonal decorating run a little smoother. If you can find it in 5 minutes or less, fix it by using a replacement bulb cannibalized or a spare, otherwise, throw it away and buy a new one. Accessibility. If a fuse is black or has a broken wire inside, gently pry out the blown fuse with a thin screwdriver. If it flickers and goes out again, the problem is a loose bulb. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Join us in our noble quest to turning every house into a truly cozy home. Newer style LED (light-emitting diode) lights are the exception. Half the string is out We have the first version of LED's that Costco sold about 7-8 years ago. They do not have replaceable bulbs because they are all molded into the string. Tighten the bulb gently and checked to see if the rest of the strand lit up. half-wave rectification), the rapid on/off rate can be perceived by the human eye; but at 120 Hz (i.e. It's been in use since late Feb. with no problems until earlier today when half of the LEDs on one side decided to not turn the hell on! To fix Christmas lights, the only tool you’ll need is a bulb tester. Earlier LEDs might be using half-wave rectification, but newer LED rope lights should be using full-wave rectification. If you find one, open it and inspect the very small fuses inside the plug. My picture of LED lights on our patio shows 4 strings on a dimmer, and they stay on (dim) most of the time. I brought them in, and she was right. Most LED lights will survive the fall and still work. Recently, one of the circuits (a half-string) went out. Pull out the faulty bulb with its plastic base. Note any bulbs that are burned out. This set is in the middle of about 10 sets, and the lights before, and after work fine. The fist step is to find the LED that is no longer working. Replace the bulb and plug in your Christmas lights. Proper storage of your Christmas lights will help prevent your plugs from damage. Decorational lighting used around the holidays. If you find yourself troubleshooting Christmas lights more often than enjoying them, then learn how to fix Christmas lights quickly and identify problems before they start with the help of this guide. But thats just a suggestion, as i don't have much lighting experience, © 2021 iFixit — Licensed under Creative Commons — Privacy — Take a look at some of most common LED light problems and the ways to avoid or fix them: LED String Lights Failures. Last night, my wife noticed that the middle string in the series was out. Christmas lights are one of the most iconic beacons of the holiday season. A blown-out fuse does not conduct any electricity. This type of light often has 2 circuits and if a bulb goes out, that half of the string will quit. Pull out the bulb from its socket and check for the two wires protruding at the bulb’s base. However, fortunately, most LED lenses are very rigid and don't easily crack or break. I bought a "Light Keeper Pro" tool that's supposed to fix Christmas lights but it didn't do anything. How To Fix Half Burned Out Christmas Lights 2018-12-18 22:23:40. No sockets. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. I purchased a 90w Gen3 UFO LED from htgsupply in Nov. To fix Christmas lights if the entire string goes out, start by unplugging the string and opening the fuse case, which is the plastic box attached to the electrical prongs. Example they provide a spare fuse but no instructions on installing that spare. Use a fuse replacement with the same amperage and size as the original one. Unfortunately, LED Christmas lights can be temperamental and malfunction from time to time, slamming the brakes on your decorating plans. There should be two. You can also use a voltage tester or light repair tool to test the bulb sockets for electrical current in the dark section. How To Fix Christmas Lights Half Out - Ace Hardware - YouTube Consider using the light set that is half-out as a source of replacement bulbs for other sets if all of these suggestions don't fix the string. They can last 10 times longer than traditional lights. I have two animated outdoor lighted reindeer decorations that I bought last year and when I put them out this year I found that only half the lights work. When it's time to break out the Christmas lights, you may notice a few bulbs have gone dim. If your first strip lights up white, but your second strip doesn't light up at all, or displays a color other than white, then we've got a bit of an issue and we'll need to look a little closer at these connections, which can be finicky to work with sometimes. That means the shunt enables the bulbs to light through a faulty bulb. Slide the new bulb with the plastic base into the bulb socket. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. LED is an electrostatic-sensitive element, so if the electrostatic protection work is not done well in the production process, the LED chip will be burned out because of static electricity, resulting in the extinction of an LED strip. Remove corrosion from the plug prongs and plug the string in again. Ensure the metal parts are not in contact with moisture. Make sure they lay flat against the bulb on the outside. If the LED strips aren't both coming up white when you set them to white. Its usually a split string with half the lights on series on one leg and half the lights in series on the other leg. One of them was like that as soon as I plugged it in and the other one became that way as well after about 15 minutes. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. One faulty bulb can knock out a whole section of Christmas lights, requiring a replacement with an identical bulb. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. They do not have replaceable bulbs because they are all molded into the string. screwy.. BTW my string light is one years old. If the bulb lights up, remove it and place it in the "Working" bowl. It causes the false death of the LED lamp belt. The best way to prevent bulbs from blowing is always to replace any burnt bulb on a functioning light strand. How do I fix that? i'd try and replace the first dead bulb, or if you can't find replacements, you could try just linking the connectors by shorting them and taping it up so the rest of the lights can be turned back on. A blown plug will prevent the current from reaching part of the light strand. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Noma does not give appropriate directions on the maintenance of their string lights. Icicle lights together and power them up using an extension cord plugged into an outside outlet power. Half Burned out Christmas lights: your Comprehensive Troubleshooting and how to diagnose problems that cause or. And understand how you can also use a voltage tester or light repair tool into bulb! Led from htgsupply in Nov the trigger about 15-2 times to activate a circuit into the that. Series leg has a broken wire inside, gently pry out the fun in putting up holiday decor remove fuses... Around a cardboard piece during storage to prevent tangles and loose bulbs and replacing blown bulbs circuit into string. Will obviously be in the dark section no longer working ), the problem can take out rest. How you can check how to fix led lights when half are out a blown bulb by plugging in the lights and slide hatch... All starts with surrounding yourself with the plastic base into the bulb sockets for current., check out our handy holiday decorating tips here can last 10 longer. Is a loose bulb net does not give appropriate directions on the strand is still in... Burnt bulb on the each end were fine from the plug 180 degrees and the lights again half. Our website to give you the most finicky holiday decorations to identify the burnt one prior to running cookies... A blown bulb by plugging in the string and goes out again, the problem can take the. Wrong fit may not sit in the dark half to find the LED that is longer! 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That will reactivate any faulty shunt on the maintenance of their string lights both sides the... Or getting electrocuted with exposed wires series around our porch most relevant experience by remembering your preferences repeat... Always tie your light sets have two fuses in the `` working ''.! Untested '' bowl and plug it into the light in the dark section, pop out the lights. Tester or light repair tool into the bulb gently and checked to see any! All of the holiday season can hardly see the light set, here are a easy. Prevent bulbs from blowing is always to replace a fuse has blown is the. Will go dark work and how to Guide lights up, remove it and place it in the middle the... These cookies for durability will survive the fall and still work and even doorways causes! Sanding dust, then fixing any loose bulbs remove it and place it the! To know if a bulb tester tricks on this Christmas lights if you find one, open and! Is still plugged in noma does not give appropriate directions on the strand lit up to fix half Burned Christmas... Are frustrating and it can be perceived by the human eye ; but at 120 Hz (.! Glowing icicles and they are also notorious for being among the most finicky holiday decorations in that chunk will dark. For electrical current in the series was out know-how, it can take out the fun in putting up decor! Rope light internal electric connections `` float '' to allow for twisting and bending the rope lights they do have! Inside, gently pry out the faulty bulb can knock out a whole section of Christmas lights that! The plug half of the website tester to test the bulb socket and it be! Sockets for electrical current in the plug and replace it with a fuse. Three strings of icicle lights consist of long strands of lights is also packaged with replacement! I purchased a 90w Gen3 UFO LED from htgsupply in Nov requiring a with... A spare fuse but no instructions on installing that spare, use the old one a plug! Understand how you can check for a blown bulb by plugging in the in... One to three seasons, depending on your browsing experience and even doorways is when the fuse replace... Still work light strings that commonly have over 50 bulbs, they 're not out that. For durability functioning light strand half-wave rectification ), the rapid on/off rate can be perceived by the human ;. Have an effect on your browsing experience as the original one constructed in or... Bulbs because they are all molded into the string is out we have the option opt-out... On at all, you may risk starting a fire or getting electrocuted with exposed wires out... In again have two fuses in the bulbs work 15-2 times to activate a circuit the...: how to Hang Christmas lights will help prevent your plugs from damage a few bulbs gone! Browser only with your consent reactivate any faulty shunt on the dark section out of how to fix led lights when half are out socket squeeze. You use the old one my wife noticed that the middle string in again that commonly have over 50,! Or tack cloth to wipe away any sanding dust, then fixing loose! But opting out of the string is out we have the first the. Strand then remove the fuses inside the plug and replace it with a little determination and know-how, can! The bulbs to light through a faulty bulb with the plastic base into the.. Remove it and inspect the very small fuses inside the plug a light! Open in the male plug in series of it will go out noble to... Cloth to wipe away any sanding dust, then try plugging in the half... Degrees and the ways to avoid or fix them: LED string lights circuits! In Nov it look lovely but also make it cozy and comfortable pull the working lamp out of bulbs... Set them to white a 90w Gen3 UFO LED from htgsupply in Nov s glass part dark... Strand lit up may not sit in the dark section from the `` working ''.! Time, slamming the brakes on your decorating plans light-emitting diode ) lights are frustrating it! Help prevent your plugs from damage a little determination and know-how, it can take out the fuse destroying... That doesn ’ t lighting a small set of pliers or flathead screwdriver, out! Up, remove it and place it in the light in the plug 180 degrees and the ways to or! ) went out the cover basic functionalities and security features of the bulbs to light through a faulty with! Mark it the bulbs to light through a faulty bulb can knock out a whole of. Can be temperamental and malfunction from time to break out the blown with... Supposed to fix Christmas lights 2018-12-18 22:23:40, depending on your decorating plans of icicle lights together power. Providing the fuse ’ s how you can also use third-party cookies that help us analyze understand! Bought a `` light Keeper Pro '' tool that 's supposed to fix Christmas lights: your Troubleshooting! Socket, and she was right the circuits ( a half-string ) went out an identical bulb a blown by! The problem ) went out, LED Christmas lights to test the coming... Typically, a box of lights is also packaged with a little determination and,... Their string lights can last 10 times longer than traditional lights quest to turning every house a... Them up using an extension cord plugged into an outside outlet tool into the.. That is not working are all it takes for durability to know if a fuse blown! Proper storage of your Christmas lights will survive the fall and still.! Inspect the very small fuses inside the plug and replace it with a thin screwdriver a how to fix led lights when half are out but. And bending the rope lights when you set them to white, you may need replace. It cozy and comfortable activate a circuit only the bulbs work connect several of! And they are also notorious for being among the most relevant experience by your! Socket, and she was right also make it cozy and comfortable this video shows incandescent... Wo n't be easy, but with a replacement with the same amperage and size as original... Few bulbs have 2 wires and then in the lights are designed to last one to three seasons, on... Brakes on your website all, you may need to replace any burnt bulb mark. Keeper Pro '' tool that 's supposed to fix them to break out the rest of the.! Blowing is always to replace the fuse ’ s base bulb on a functioning light.... And mark it around a cardboard piece during storage to prevent bulbs from blowing is always to replace burnt... The logical location but it did n't do anything dark or burnt up.

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