LED Floodlight Flashing On and Off? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

LED floodlights are an energy-efficient and affordable alternative to traditional bulbs. You can get over 30,000 hours out of them before you have to replace them, that is if they work as intended. So what does an LED floodlight flashing on and off mean?

An LED floodlight flashing on and off can indicate a power surge or power connection. Never run too many electrical appliances on the same circuit as your LED floodlight or it will experience current changes. Unscrew the LED bulb and remove debris with a rag, brush, or pressurized air if it continues flashing on and off.

Things get more complicated when it comes to electrical problems throughout the house. In that case, you’ll need to contact a professional electrician for possible rewiring. Let’s take a look at the most common causes and fixes for your LED floodlight flashing on and off.

The most common reason for LED lights flashing on and off is high energy surges and faulty connections. High energy surges occur when too many appliances are in use, and they can cause LED lights to flash sporadically. You can fix this if you limit how many appliances you plug into the same circuit that your LED lights are on.

LED lights flashing on and off can also indicate that your dimmer switch is not compatible or ideal for floodlights. Your LED lights may experience a drop in voltage if you use the wrong dimmer switch. Flickering that occurs only when you use other appliances typically indicates a power surge, however.

One of the most common causes of an LED flood light flashing is an improper connection. Disconnect the power to your LED lights so that you can safely work with them. Inspect the bulb and tighten it by hand to ensure a strong connection.

That alone can generally fix LED lights that are flashing on and off. Look at the wiring in your LED light fixture if it continues to flash when you tighten the bulb. Make sure that the wires are in place and tighten them if not so that your LED lights stay consistent.

Your LED lights can flash on and off if there is a change in the electrical current. Pay attention to what other appliances you have plugged in when your LED lights flash. It is easy to cause a drop in electrical current or power surge if you run too many appliances on one circuit.

However, an inconsistent electrical current that affects your LED lights can also indicate a larger problem. Unplug electrical devices on the same circuit as your LED lights to see if they continue to flash on and off. Call an electrician if the flashing continues because it likely indicates more complicated electrical problems.

Dirty bulbs can make it nearly impossible for your LED lights to retain a strong connection. This can cause LED lights to flash on and off, and you’ll need to clean the socket to fix this. It is easy for dirt and debris to accumulate within the socket of LED lights.

Unplug the LED bulbs and carefully clean the socket with a dry rag or brush. Remove stubborn debris with a can of pressurized air. Aim the pressurized air at stubborn debris, screw the bulb back in, and see if the LED lights continue flashing on and off.

If your LED flood light flashing on and off coincides with other electrical problems, it could be due to your service provider. Sometimes, problems with an LED floodlight can point to problems with your home’s electrical supply in general. If you have many faulty electrical appliances, it’s time to call your service provider.

Unfortunately, it could also point to a problem with the electrical wiring in your house. If your service provider determines that it’s a matter of poor wiring, it could get expensive. Rewiring your home can cost between $1,500 and $10,000 depending on the severity of the problem.

More than likely, your and your neighbors are part of a shared electrical grid. That means that even if you mind your consumption, your neighbor’s energy usage could affect you. If none of the above solutions solve your LED flood light problem, it could very well be due to your neighbors.

Sometimes, you can’t ignore bad neighbors, and you may need to contact them directly. If you’d rather not do that, you could contact an electrician to get their professional opinion. If you do share electricity with your neighbors, you may simply have to contact the utility company in question.

If you’re on the same grid as your neighbors, their energy usage can lead to a decrease in voltage to your home. This is the hardest problem to solve and is ultimately between you, your neighbors, and the utility company. With that said, it never hurts to politely bring it up to your neighbors so that you may not even need to bring in professionals.

Related Questions

Do LED floodlights use a lot of energy?

No, LED floodlights do not use a lot of energy, especially when compared to an incandescent floodlight. For example, incandescent bulbs can use up to 5 times more watts than an LED bulb leading to an increase in energy bills. Using an LED flood light for a month costs less than $2, but an incandescent bulb costs $10 or more to run.

Do LED floodlights work in cold weather?

Yes, and in fact, LED floodlights can thrive in cold weather, unlike incandescent bulbs. They can work at temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but they have slight trouble when temperatures drop below that. With that said, LED lights have a reputation for working in temperatures 10 times colder than other bulbs.

How long do LED floodlights last?

LED floodlights can last up to 30,000 hours before you’ll need to replace them as they don’t contain halogen. This can save you a fortune in bulb replacements, and more importantly, in your monthly energy bills.

When your LED floodlight is flashing on and off, it is often due to a faulty connection. Much like dusk to dawn light, it’s easy for the connection to come loose and the bulb may need to be screwed back in. Otherwise, check to see that the wiring is properly connected, and if not, carefully tighten it.

Anytime that you work with the LED flood light, you need to shut off the power to the circuit. If your LED flood light only flashes when other appliances kick on, you may need to give them their circuit. However, if the whole house experiences electrical problems, contact your electrical service provider to see if the problem is on their end, or with your home’s wiring.

Sometimes, you can experience flashing LED floodlights if you’re on the same electrical grid as your neighbor. In that case, mention it to them, an electrician, or your utility provider. Fixing your flashing LED floodlights is often easy and rarely requires you to spend money.