LED flickers – what you can do about it

If your LED flickers, you can fix the problem after successful troubleshooting and ensure stable and pleasant lighting in your home.

When your LED flickers: common causes

LED lamps are an energy-efficient and long-lasting lighting solution. Nevertheless, it can sometimes happen that these lamps flicker. This flickering can not only be annoying, but can also indicate technical problems that should be rectified.

• Voltage fluctuations: Voltage fluctuations in the electricity grid can be a common cause of LED lamps flickering. These fluctuations are often caused by other electrical appliances in the household being switched on and off. In some cases, an unstable power supply from the grid operator can also be the cause.
• Incompatible dimmers: Not all dimmers are compatible with LED lamps. Traditional dimmers developed for incandescent lamps or halogen lamps can cause flickering with LED lamps. LED lamps require special LED dimmers that can handle the low power consumption of LEDs.
• The wrong LED: Some LEDs cannot be dimmed at all or only with side effects. Read the packaging to find out whether your LED can be dimmed.
• Bad connections: Loose or poor electrical connections can also cause flickering. Especially in older buildings, worn or corroded contacts can be a problem.
• The wrong transformer: Especially if you have switched from halogen lamps to LED, the wrong transformer can be the problem. This is usually installed in the lamp. With many transformers, short-term voltage peaks occur that can cause your LED to flicker or even damage it.

Solutions and preventive measures against flickering LED lamps

After we have discussed the most common causes of flickering LED lamps, we will look at the solutions and preventative measures you can take to fix or prevent this problem.

• Using a voltage stabilizer: A voltage stabilizer can help to compensate for voltage fluctuations in the power grid and thus reduce flickering. These devices ensure a constant voltage supply and protect your LED lamps from fluctuations.
• Replacing dimmers: If your LED lamps flicker even though they are dimmed, you should replace the existing dimmer with one that is specifically suitable for LEDs. Make sure that the new dimmer is compatible with the wattage and type of your LED lamps.
• Check and improve the wiring: Make sure that all electrical connections are tight and secure. In particular, check the connections in the lamp sockets and the switches. If necessary, you can call in an electrician to check and improve the wiring.
• Replacing defective lamps or drivers: If the flickering persists despite all measures, it may be necessary to replace the LED transformer, LED lamp or driver. When buying replacement lamps, make sure you buy high-quality products from reputable manufacturers to avoid future problems.