

The lifespan of outdoor solar lights can vary wildly depending on the build quality, environment, and other factors. įrequently Asked Questions How Long Do Outdoor Solar Lights Last? If your lights don’t allow for a battery change, then it may be time to purchase a new set of solar path lights. If possible, you can swap out a new battery to solve this problem. An old, dying battery will start to flicker as it loses its last bit of charge. This usually points to a problem with the battery, especially if you’ve already made sure that the solar cells are clean and receiving enough sunlight. If the methods above don’t fix the issue, check with your manufacturer to see if they offer replacement sensors, as this will prevent you from having to purchase new lights.įlickering or blinking lights are never a good sign. If you put your solar lights too close to home or street lights, they may not register the change from day to night. Also, make sure that your lights are located away from other artificial light sources. To solve this, start by cleaning off any dirt and grime from the sensor. If the light ends up working, you will just need to apply a new layer of sealant before subjecting them to the outdoors again.Īre your lights coming on at different times, or not turning on at all? This is often a problem with the solar light sensor that regulates the on-off cycle of your lights. Let the components dry completely and then reassemble. If you notice that your light has filled up with water, start by taking it apart. This often spells death for your lights, but you can take a few steps to attempt to fix them. If your lights are not working after heavy rain, the storm may have made its way into the internal components of your light. However, they are not water- proof, meaning that with enough time and harsh weather, the seals on the light may begin to degrade. Solar lights are made for the outdoors, as they are water and weather-resistant. Purchasing a new set of solar lights is the better option for most homeowners. Unless your manufacturer has panels readily available, this is usually not worth the cost or hassle, especially for low-quality lights. You may need to purchase replacement solar cells for garden lights. Similarly, extreme weather can also cause issues for the panel, as rain and snow often seep into the insides of your light. In especially hot locations, the sun and heat can degrade the panel and the barrier that separates the cells from the outdoors. If your lights are malfunctioning, your first step should For the panels to function properly, they need to stay clean, as well as positioned to gather the maximum amount of sun. The panel contains solar cells, which are responsible for gathering the sun’s energy and transferring it into battery power. Many issues that arise with solar lights can be traced back to the panel. Reach out to the manufacturer for further advice or a replacement. If these solutions don’t fix your new solar lights, then you may have received a defective device. Look for a small plastic tab near the battery compartment and make sure it is fully removed before moving on to other possible solutions. This is easily overlooked, causing many people to assume that they received a faulty light. If you have issues with your lights in the future, make sure curious children didn’t flip the switch off again.ĭepending on the light, there may also be a battery pull tab that needs to be removed before operation. Make sure that the switch is in the ‘on’ position. There are a few things to look out for if your new solar lights are not working. Many people experience issues with their solar lights before their first use. Let’s explore a few of the common issues found in solar garden lights.

Luckily, most issues can be solved with a simple fix. This leaves a few points that are prone to failure. Each solar garden light is its own miniature solar setup, complete with a panel, battery, light, and housing. Unfortunately, there are a multitude of things that can go wrong with solar power systems, both large and small. Your solar lights have one job: to illuminate your backyard and pathways at night. Troubleshooting Common Solar Light Problems This guide will help you fix your solar lights when problems inevitably arise. However, given that solar-powered lights have to capture, store, and use the power, they can be more finicky than traditional grid-powered lights. Whether you are fully off-grid or just using a few solar garden lights, solar power can help reduce energy usage and costs in the long run.
