Why Are Your LED Lights Flickering? Common Causes and What to Do

LED lighting has become one of the most popular ways to improve a home’s lighting while reducing energy consumption. LEDs use less electricity, last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, and are available in virtually every color temperature and style.

But LED lights can have one frustrating problem: flickering.

Sometimes flickering is barely noticeable. Other times, the light repeatedly flashes, pulses, dims, or changes brightness. While an occasional flicker may be caused by a simple compatibility issue, persistent flickering can sometimes indicate a problem with the light, dimmer, wiring, or electrical system.

So, why are your LED lights flickering?

Let’s look at some of the most common causes and when it’s time to call an electrician.

1. The LED Bulb Isn’t Compatible With the Dimmer

One of the most common causes of LED flickering is dimmer compatibility.

Older dimmer switches were often designed for incandescent or halogen bulbs. Those lights operate differently from LEDs and require considerably more electricity.

When an LED bulb is connected to an older dimmer, the dimmer may not be able to control the lower electrical load properly.

The result can be:

• Flickering
• Flashing
• Buzzing
• Lights that won’t dim smoothly
• Lights that shut off at certain dimmer settings
• Lights that remain slightly illuminated when turned off

The solution may be as simple as replacing the existing dimmer with one specifically designed for LED lighting.

However, not every LED-compatible dimmer works with every LED fixture or bulb. Compatibility between the dimmer and the LED driver is important.

2. The LED Bulb or Fixture Is Failing

Sometimes the electrical system isn’t the problem at all.

The LED bulb or fixture itself may be defective or reaching the end of its useful life.

LEDs generally last much longer than incandescent bulbs, but the electronics inside an LED fixture can still fail.

LED lighting contains a driver that converts the home’s electrical power into the type of power the LEDs require. If that driver begins to fail, the light may flicker, dim, or shut off unexpectedly.

If only one light is flickering while the rest of the home’s lights operate normally, the fixture or bulb becomes one of the first things to investigate.

Replacing the bulb or fixture may solve the problem.

If the replacement also flickers, however, it’s time to look beyond the bulb.

3. Loose Electrical Connections

A loose electrical connection can cause intermittent electrical problems, including flickering lights.

Connections can become loose at various points, including:

• The light fixture
• Wire connections
• Switches
• Receptacles
• Junction boxes
• Electrical panels

A loose connection isn’t something homeowners should simply ignore.

If a light is flickering consistently or you notice other warning signs, such as buzzing, crackling, heat, discoloration, or a burning smell, turn the circuit off if you can safely do so and have the electrical system inspected.

Electrical connections need to be secure and properly installed.

4. An Overloaded Circuit

Another potential cause is a circuit carrying a significant electrical load.

When a large appliance or motor starts, it can temporarily draw additional current. Depending on the electrical system and the loads involved, that change can sometimes be noticeable as a momentary change in lighting.

For example, you might notice a light flicker when:

• An HVAC system starts
• A refrigerator compressor kicks on
• A sump pump starts
• A well pump starts
• Another large motor starts

A brief, occasional change may not necessarily indicate a dangerous condition, but repeated or significant voltage fluctuations should be investigated.

An electrician can evaluate the circuit, electrical connections, and overall system to determine what’s happening.

5. Multiple Lights Are Flickering

Pay attention to how many lights are affected.

If one LED fixture flickers, the problem may be isolated to that fixture, bulb, driver, switch, or connection.

If several lights throughout your home flicker at the same time, the problem could be more extensive.

For example, the issue could involve:

• A circuit connection
• Service equipment
• A neutral connection
• Voltage fluctuations
• Utility-related issues
• A larger electrical-system problem

When multiple lights are flickering, especially in different areas of the home, it’s worth having the system evaluated rather than simply replacing bulbs one at a time.

6. The Light Is Not Designed for the Application

LED bulbs and fixtures aren’t all designed for the same environments.

Certain applications require specific types of LED products.

For example, an LED fixture may need to be rated for:

• Enclosed fixtures
• Damp locations
• Wet locations
• High temperatures
• Outdoor applications

Installing an LED product in an environment it wasn’t designed for can shorten its life and contribute to performance problems.

The answer isn’t always “buy a brighter bulb.”

The right LED needs to be appropriate for the fixture and the environment.

7. Cheap or Poor-Quality LED Products

Not all LED products are created equally.

There are significant differences in the quality of LED drivers, components, thermal management, and overall construction.

A low-cost LED bulb may appear to be a great deal until it starts flickering, fails prematurely, or doesn’t work properly with the existing dimmer.

When installing LED lighting, look beyond the initial purchase price.

A quality product that performs reliably for years may provide much better value than repeatedly replacing inexpensive bulbs.

8. New LED Recessed Lights Can Flicker Too

Flickering isn’t limited to screw-in LED bulbs.

Integrated LED recessed lights can experience the same problems.

With an integrated LED fixture, the light source and driver are built into the fixture itself. That means replacing a standard bulb isn’t necessarily an option.

Potential causes can include:

• Driver problems
• Dimmer compatibility
• Wiring connections
• Voltage fluctuations
• Fixture defects
• Installation issues

If several new recessed lights are flickering, don’t assume that all of the fixtures are defective.

The electrical system and dimming controls should also be evaluated.

9. Utility Power

Flickering lights can also be caused directly from your utility company. Fluctuation in power delivery can lead to flickering lights. 

When Should You Be Concerned About Flickering Lights?

Not every flicker means there’s an emergency.

But some symptoms deserve immediate attention.

Call a licensed electrician if you notice flickering accompanied by:

• Burning smells
• Buzzing or crackling
• Sparks
• Hot switches or outlets
• Discoloration
• Scorch marks
• Breakers repeatedly tripping
• Multiple lights flickering throughout the house
• Significant changes in brightness
• Lights becoming brighter or dimmer unexpectedly

These symptoms can indicate a problem that goes beyond a simple LED bulb.

Don’t ignore an electrical warning sign just because the light still works.

What Can an Electrician Do?

Troubleshooting flickering lights requires figuring out why they’re flickering, not simply replacing the bulb and hoping for the best.

At Dynamo Electric, our electricians can evaluate the lighting system and determine whether the issue is related to the:

• LED bulb
• LED fixture
• Driver
• Dimmer
• Switch
• Wiring
• Circuit
• Electrical panel
• Service
• Connected electrical loads

We can also help determine whether the existing lighting and dimming equipment are compatible.

Sometimes the solution is simple.

It might be replacing a bulb or installing the correct LED-rated dimmer.

Other times, the problem requires more investigation.

That’s the difference between an electrical installation and an electrical troubleshooting service call. With troubleshooting, the problem isn’t always known when the electrician arrives. The first step is diagnosing the cause.

With LED lighting the key is safety and making sure everything is wired properly and compatible. LED lighting is sensitive and will pick up on fluctuations in the voltage. 

Dynamo Electric has been serving Baltimore County, Towson, and surrounding Maryland communities for more than 20 years. We can help troubleshoot flickering lights, upgrade outdated dimmers, install LED lighting, and identify electrical problems before they become bigger problems.

If your LED lights are flickering, don’t guess. Find out why.