LED light stopped working - advice please?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

During a bathroom remodel, we had all the recessed can ceiling lights changed to LED type, and a dimmer switch was also installed. One of the ceiling lights no longer works and we are past the one-year contractor guarantee. My question is which to try to replace first: The wall dimmer switch or the LED light in the ceiling? I expected an LED light to last more than 15 months, but we have no clue where to begin with this and don't want the expense of bringing in an electrician if we can DIY.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

jimct01

5 years ago

I would just remove the led bulb and replace it. It it is a self contained led lamp, then you can try it with a regular incandescent lamp, I found that some LED lamps die before their time. This is more likely a failure of the electronics that power the lamb rather than the LED itself

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Comments (10)

greg_2015
5 years ago
Does the switch control more than one light? If so, and the other lights work then the issue isn't the switch.
HU-178658043
5 years ago
Is this an LED fixture, or a fixture with a replaceable LED bulb?

If the former, I'd first check all of the connections to the switch and light, also verifying good incoming power to the switch and to the fixture. Testing the voltage at the fixture connections will tell you if the problem is there.
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Cavimum
Original Author
5 years ago
The switch only controls the one light. There is a wall electrical outlet in that area and it still functions.

It is an LED fixture that replaced a canned recessed fixture, Looks a lot like this type --> link
kudzu9
5 years ago
Testing a dimmer switch
User
5 years ago
I agree with the advice given. I’m no pro but have 10 of those types of LED can lights in my kitchen. Not one of them has lasted more than about 15 months, some less than a year. We had electricians install them and called them out again to troubleshoot. It’s very annoying because they’ve not found any problems (2 different electricians). So I chalk it up to crap and just replace as needed. I’m no help but just thought I’d share my experiences.
Cavimum
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Thank you all for the input.
jimct01
5 years ago
If buy a new LED make it is dimmable. Many are not
Cavimum
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you jimct01, that is what we plan to do first. And thanks for the reminder to make sure it is dimmable. We don't have the equipment to measure volts, nor are we knowledgeable about those things. We do appreciate that input earlier, but we leave that to people who know what they're doing, and we do not. Hubby does not mess around with electricity and has great respect for it.

I'll go to Home Depot and buy one of the Halo 4'' retro-fit type LEDs, which is probably what this is since there was already a can/baffle style light we wanted to get rid of. I found a video on youtube how to install those, so it seems easy enough if we don't fall off the ladder. LOL If that doesn't work, we will look into the dimmer switch and keep the light as a backup, in case one of the other six in the master bath/bedroom area should fail.
Cavimum
Original Author
5 years ago
Update - last week was too busy to get to Home Depot. It was on the to-do list for this week. Two days ago, the light started working again. My best guess is the dimmer switch. There was always a split second lag for that particular light to come on.