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Causes and Troubleshooting for Flickering LED Fixtures

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As lighting technology becomes more advanced and LED lighting becomes more readily available, it’s important to be aware of new issues to tackle as the technology changes.

LED lighting is more energy efficient and has a much longer lifespan than traditional forms of lighting, but one common issue that can be experienced with LED lighting is flickering.

What is Flickering?

Flickering refers to quick, sudden changes in a light fixture’s output over a short span of time, and can either be visible or invisible.

  • Visible flickering is flickering that can be seen, and has been associated with seizures and other health hazards due to the rapid changes in light, in addition to safety issues on roadways and parking lots.

  • Invisible flickering is flickering that is not easily recognizable to the human eye, but can still cause issues such as dizziness and migraines.

Possible Causes for Visible Flickering

  • The driver acts as the main power supply for LED lights, and any issues such as heat over time may cause fluctuations in the DC voltage, which will lead to the light source flickering.

  • Another potential cause for LED light fixture flickering is loose wiring or a loose bulb. Any burnt or loose connectors and circuits can cause LED lights to flicker. This may be the result of improper installation, or if many fixtures are flickering at the same time, then there could be a problem at the panel or the junction point to be addressed.

  • Another major cause of flickering is having fixtures that are set up with incompatible dimmer switches. Some dimmer switches operate in such a way that the power to the bulb goes on and off several times per second, which are not compatible with LED lights, and would need to be replaced with a dimmer that is compatible with the light.

  • While LED lighting has come a long way and are generally more reliable over time compared to traditional forms of lighting, there will still be differences in quality between LED fixtures. Lower quality LED bulbs use lower quality drivers, and are more likely to be affected by flickering issues over time when compared to higher quality ones. While lower in cost in the short term, the maintenance required by a lower quality light may actually end up costing more in the long run.

  • This difference in quality will also influence how a higher power load will affect the driver over time. Better drivers will help to normalize the output better than a lower quality driver. Repeated surges can also wear down drivers over time and cause flickering and premature failure.

Possible Solutions for Flickering

With the different causes for LED light fixture flickering, there are also several solutions to fix flickering lights.

  • Using higher quality constant current LED drivers will help to eliminate power current peaks and flickering as a result.

  • Also being sure to address any changes during the wiring installation to your voltage and the power load will help to prevent overloading your fixtures and any resulting flickering.


    If there aren’t any issues with the driver or the voltage, then it is possible that a component in the fixture is malfunctioning prematurely. As with all potential warranty claims, please be sure to contact the original manufacturer for any product troubleshooting or warranty information. If the issue is with an HTM Lighting Solutions product, please feel free to check out our Warranty Information and reach out to us directly for further assistance.

Hopefully, this guide helps to better identify any possible causes of LED light fixture flickering and potential solutions to address them.

Questions or comments? We always have our ears open to new input and suggestions, as we enjoy learning from others and sharing knowledge. Please feel free to contact us today for a complimentary quote on your lighting project or simply to provide some additional input by giving a call at (813)-649-8899 or simply emailing us at sales@htm-lighting.com.

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  • Michael Tomas
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