Why Do Solar String Lights Stop Working?

In recent years, solar string lights have surged in popularity. Their economical nature, versatility, and durability make them suitable for any household, during any time of the year. They are a great way to save on energy costs and help the environment. They can make your backyard a cozy gathering place for family and friends. But, like any piece of technology, at some point you may start having some problems, for example - why do solar lights stop working?

In general, solar lights will stop working at night if the built in battery isn’t fully charged. This will usually happen if the solar panels are dirty. Another issue might be the solar panel is damaged and can’t detect when in darkness.

There are a few things you can do to clean or replace the solar panel and get your solar lights working again:

1). Clean the solar panel with a soft cloth.
2). If the solar panel is damaged, you will need to replace it.
3). Make sure the solar lights are getting enough sunlight during the day. If they’re not, they won’t have enough power to last through the night.

Here are several common reasons why your solar lights stop working at night.

In addition to dirty solar panels or damaged solar panel, there are other issue that can cause your solar powered lights to stop working:

1). Water inflow
2). Lights Are Not Actually Turned On
3). Incorrectly Installed Solar Lights
4). Loose Wires
5). Dead Battery
6). Damaged Light Bulbs
7). Ended Life Span

Water Inflow

Solar lights are designed to withstand some weather, but they are not waterproof. After years of use, waterproof function decreased. If your solar lights have been damaged by water, it’s possible that the wiring has become corroded and needs to be replaced. Even though most solar lighting products come with Ingress Protection (IP) to protect against water and weather-related damage, some may still suffer from water intrusion.

Lights Are Not Actually Turned On

Most solar lights have on/off switches located on the underside of the solar panel. It’s worth checking if your solar lights have an on/off switch and that they are in fact turned on.

Incorrectly Installed Solar Lights

Quality sunlight is your solar lights bread and butter. Without it, they won’t work. Make sure to install your solar lights in an area that gets direct sunlight for most of the day. If your solar lights are in a shady spot, they won’t be able to absorb enough energy during the day to power themselves at night. Again, winter months usually have longer hours of darkness, so it’s possible the battery on your lighting won’t have adequate capacity to work through the night.

Loose Wires

Most solar lights will have solar panels located on their tops, with wires hanging or wired up to a fence or other sun rich area. If the wire becomes loose or broken (wear and tear over time, animals chewing on them, etc.) then the batteries won’t receive a charge.

Even solar panel’s with built in solar cell’s have internal wiring that can become damaged, leading to solar lights stop working properly.

Dead Battery

Solar lights rely on batteries to store power during the day, so they can work at night. Over time, batteries will lose their charge, a phenomenon known as “self-discharge.” This is normal and expected, but if you find that your solar lights are not working as well as they used to, it might be time to replace the batteries.

Damaged Light Bulbs

Just like any other type of light bulb, solar light bulbs can break or burn out over time. Most solar lights use LED bulbs, which last much longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. However, they can still break and will need to be replaced eventually.

Ended Lifespan of Your Solar Lights

Like anything else, solar lights will eventually wear out. If your lights are more than a few years old, it’s possible that they just need to be replaced. The good news is, solar lights are relatively inexpensive and easy to find. You can usually find them at your local home improvement store or online.

Solar lights are a great way to add light to your yard or garden without having to worry about running extension cords or increasing your electric bill. Although solar lights may get some problems after a period of use, luckily they are inexpensive and easy to fix. Huizhou Zhongxin Lighting co., Ltd. as a decorative light manufacturer and supplier, always offering best services and qualified products as well as competitive prices to the valued customers or wholesalers. Welcome contact now.