Nowadays, many people choose LED strip lights and LED bulbs because of their durability. They can also face the problem of color changing. So, let’s try to understand “Why are my LED lights different colors” and find out how to fix it.
What is LED?
Light-Emitting Diode (LED) differs from other light sources like Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL) or incandescent light. After the current passing through a chip, LEDs, or in other words tiny light sources, disperse or dissipate into the surroundings and shine.
White, yellow, amber, red, blue, and green light colors are the most common.
The main advantage of LED lights and bulbs is their long lifespan. Even longer than traditional counterparts, incandescent or fluorescent lights. But with use and age, their color could fade away, turn yellow, or the LED lights could not work. Well, let’s figure out how to solve the problem.
The main causes of malfunctioning
Why do LED lights make colors look different? This is one of the most important issues regarding the functioning of LED lights. It can be caused by a variety of reasons. To use LED lights for a long time without experiencing any difficulties, you need to understand how they can be most efficient and find out what can help it.
Let’s highlight the main reasons why your LED strips are not working properly.
LED strip lights are overheating
This is the most common cause of LED lights’ malfunctioning. Pay attention to the causes and ways to fix them.
Current can significantly heat LED light strips because they draw a significant amount of power. To run multiple strips, the power supply needs to be big and powerful.
Poor air ventilation can also be a problem here. When there’s not enough space for warm air to carry away from the lighting setup and cooler air to circulate, the diodes can deteriorate and change color.
The place matters. And you should make the right choice. For example, tight and heated places, such as between a cabinet back panel and a wall, next to the stove and the TV, or behind the bed, will lead to a shorter lifespan of your LED light strips.
When the connections are set up wrong, LEDs will become yellow and overheated. The first ones to be damaged are the closest to the power supply. It can also cause flickering and uneven lightning. To prevent that, LED strips should be hooked up in parallel than in series.
The increased heat level influences the way LEDs emit light. The LED lights can even turn on and off randomly because of that. So, the heat sink should function correctly.
Low-quality lights
Cheap plastic packages of LED lights cause yellowing. Silicone can discolor and go yellow, and the diodes simply burn out. However, ones encapsulated in glass function longer and don’t lose color.
Sometimes LED strip lights are even designed to work for a short period of time. If all points of weakness are considered by the manufacturers, long-term functionality won’t be a problem.
Materials of LED light strips
Due to the metal’s conductive properties, aluminum channels and casings cool the strip. They make your LED lights last longer and prevent overheating.
The LED strip includes adhesive tape, which can carry heat away and dissipate it if it has ceramic particles in it.
Also, ceramic and metallic surfaces can make a big difference in heat dissipation. However, wood will retain the heat because it’s insulating.
No paint protection
Be careful if you suddenly start repairing because you can suddenly damage your LED strip. Sometimes people even decide to paint the room after installing their strip light setup.
Considering the fact that there is no paint protection, it can easily get over the strip light and cause color fading or even change it completely. Paint could also get inside the circuitry or wiring, which also causes color changing, flickering, or work interruption.
You should protect your light strips and use paint removers to clean any paint off of them. It’s worth thinking ahead about things like repairs if you have already LED light strips installed.
Technical section
There are some common technical problems:
- Power supply problem
- Wrong connections
- Poor soldering
- Electric wiring problem
If insufficient power is provided to the device, half of the LEDs could not work. And you should supply power from two opposite ends of the strip.
If LED strip lights stopped working unexpectedly, the issue could be a broken or damaged connection. In that case, you should find a damaged diode and replace it.
How do you fix different colored LED lights?
We have already learned about the possible causes of this problem. There are several ways of solving it. First of all, let’s look at the general measures that are taken in most cases.
What can you do first?
Make sure the connection of all the LED parts is correct. Check the supply of voltage and soldering.
How do I reset my LED light?
Turn off the system and press the “FADE7” button on the remote.
Turn it back on, and the LED lights back on.
Then one by one, press the red, green, and blue buttons.
If the LED lights won’t change back to their original color, you can replace them.
LED lights are a great choice
LEDs are more efficient than other light sources and last longer. LED strip lights also render the colors well. But for long-term use, you need to follow some recommendations for operation. Let’s repeat the most important steps you have to make, in order to make your LED lights function properly.
LED strip lights should get enough cooling. Think about the places and positions you put them in. Otherwise, LED strip lights will change color or even get discolored.
A good ventilation system not only prevents the LED light strips from overheating but also saves you money, so there is no need to repair or replace them.
Provide your LED strips with sufficient power. Use proper power supplies. Check if all the LED strips are connected correctly.
Remember to get high-quality LED strips to avoid a lot of problems, that could be caused by cheap materials.
LED lights are very simple and easy to use. They are safer as well. So, you only need to take care of your LED lights, and they will serve you for years to come.
FAQ
Can I repair a LED bulb?
You can repair a LED bulb or replace some damaged parts of it. However, an incandescent bulb doesn’t allow this option.
Do I have to replace my LED bulb?
With proper use, you can forget about replacing it for 10 years. The lifespan of most LED bulbs is up to 50,000 hours.
Can the LED strips burn out?
It happens rarely. But a circuit could get overloaded, and total resistance could be too high if too many strips are connected in series.
How can I fix a ripped LED strip?
If a LED strip is ripped you can fix it even without soldering! Use a Tape to Tape connector.
How to make my RGBW LED strip lights change color?
Choose the correct power source, which your lights require. You can flip the strip around and try to reconnect it.
How to reset the 24 Key RGB LED controller?
Press the “on” button together with turning the light on and hold it for some time.
A LED light strip remote is universal, isn’t it?
Yes, but you have to match the code with all the receivers you want to control.
What does the black button on the LED lights remote mean?
It’s to the left of the power button and means Pause/ Run.
Will the technology of LED lighting get hot?
Yes, but it’s much safer if compared to old incandescent lighting.
Why a LED bulb goes yellow?
Optical materials in the bulbs and luminaires tend to become yellow due to oxidation effects.
How can I make LED lights white?
Combine green, red, and blue LEDs or use a blue LEDs phosphor coating.
How to change white LEDs to yellow?
You can use color changing kit, yellow cellophane, or spray to paint the bulb. You can also get smart LED lights.
Can I change the color temperature on the LED?
An orange or red gel is needed to make LED bulbs warmer, warm white to be exact.
