Why are your LED lights flickering?

LED light flickering Singapore homes: the usual causes

These are the common causes to rule out, not a diagnosis:

• A failing bulb or driver. LEDs rely on a small electronic part called a driver, inside the bulb or the fitting. As it wears out, the light can flicker.
• A bulb not seated firmly. A bulb that is not fully screwed or pushed into its holder can lose contact.
• A dimmer switch not made for LEDs. Some dimmers were designed for older bulbs and do not suit every LED.
• A loose connection. A loose connection in the fitting or the circuit can make one light, or several, flicker.

LED bulb flickering in one fitting while the others stay steady usually points to that bulb or its fitting. Several lights flickering together points away from the bulbs and towards the circuit. If a light has gone out altogether rather than flickering, see the guide to a light not working.

Check the bulb first

1. Switch off and let it cool. Turn the light off at the wall and let the bulb cool for a few minutes.
2. Check the fit. Make sure the bulb is screwed in or seated firmly in its holder, without forcing it.
3. Try a known good bulb. Fit a bulb that works steadily in another light. If the flicker goes away, replace the old bulb.
4. Test the old bulb elsewhere. If it flickers in a second fitting too, the bulb is the cause. If it works there, suspect the original fitting or its dimmer.

While the light is off, wipe it with a dry cloth. NEA's energy saving tips include dusting or cleaning lamps and fixtures regularly, as dust on lamps and reflectors reduces light transmission.

Dimmers and LEDs

A dimmer made for older bulbs can make some LEDs flicker, even when the bulb itself is fine. If you notice LED flicker with dimmer switches, check two things.

First, look for the word "dimmable" on the bulb or its box. A bulb that does not say it is dimmable is not meant for a dimmer circuit, so replace it with one that is.

Second, if dimmable bulbs still flicker, the dimmer may not suit them. Changing a dimmer means working on a switch, so ask your Licensed Electrician about a suitable dimmer rather than changing it yourself.

Dimmers are fine once they are matched to the bulbs. NEA's energy efficient interior design tips include installing light dimmers to improve the ambience of your home and to save electricity.

When flickering points to wiring

Some signs point past the bulb. Call a Licensed Electrician if:

• several lights flicker at the same time
• you notice a burning smell
• a fitting or switch buzzes
• a light flickers when switched off

These are not DIY checks. A wiring fault is work for a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW). EMA says electrical work in an HDB flat needs a Licensed Electrician, the class of LEW approved for loads of up to 45kVA. See EMA's page on engaging licensed workers.

If wiring has to be replaced, HDB's electrical works guidelines say all wiring installation work must be carried out by an EMA licensed electrical worker, and embedding wiring in reinforced concrete slabs, beams, columns, walls or wall plaster or other finishes is not allowed. HDB's table lists covering surface wiring with PVC trunking as work that needs no permit.

The Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) tips to keep your home safe from electrical hazards include always following the appliance's installation and user manuals. If your power also trips, see the guide to a power trip.

Choosing replacement LED bulbs

For efficiency, look at the label. Lamps are among the goods that carry NEA's Energy Label, which helps you identify more energy efficient models. Registered suppliers of regulated goods must affix the Energy Label on the units they supply in Singapore.

NEA's tips on buying energy efficient appliances say to choose an energy efficient lamp with more ticks on the energy label.

If you still have fluorescent tubes and are thinking of changing them, see LED vs fluorescent.

Getting a fitting replaced

If a new bulb does not help, or your downlight or tube has no separate bulb to swap, the fitting or its driver may have failed. Replacing the fitting is often simpler than repairing it, and a Licensed Electrician can tell you which suits your light.

When you ask for quotes, ask for the price per light and whether it includes removing the old fitting. The price depends on the job. For more on the work, see light installation.

Questions