Common Problems of LED Street Lights and Solutions – Complete Guide

LED street lights are widely used in municipal roads, highways, residential areas, and industrial zones due to their high efficiency, long lifespan, and low maintenance costs. However, like any electrical equipment, LED street lights may encounter technical problems over time.

This professional guide explains the most common LED street light problems and solutions, helping municipalities and contractors maintain reliable outdoor lighting systems. 

1. LED Street Light Flickering

Problem

Street lights flicker intermittently or flash at night.

Causes

· Poor-quality LED driver

· Voltage fluctuation

· Loose wiring connections

· High Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)

Solutions

✔ Use low-THD LED drivers (<15%)
✔ Ensure stable power supply
✔ Tighten wiring connections
✔ Use surge protection devices (SPD)

Tip: Flickering is one of the earliest signs of driver failure in LED street lighting systems.

2. LED Street Lights Not Turning On

Problem

Street light remains completely off after installation or after a period of operation.

Causes

· Driver failure

· Power supply interruption

· Photocell malfunction

· Wiring damage

Solutions

✔ Test driver output voltage
✔ Replace defective photocell sensor
✔ Inspect underground cables
✔ Replace damaged driver

Maintenance Tip: Most street light failures are caused by driver or power supply issues rather than LED chips.

3. LED Street Light Overheating

Problem

Street light housing becomes extremely hot and brightness drops.

Causes

· Poor heat sink design

· Dust accumulation

· High ambient temperature

· Incorrect installation angle

Solutions

✔ Use die-cast aluminum heat sink housing
✔ Ensure airflow around luminaire
✔ Clean fixtures periodically
✔ Install lights at correct angles

Engineering Tip: Good thermal design allows LED street lights to reach 50,000–100,000 hours lifespan.

4. Reduced Brightness or Lumen Loss

Problem

Street lighting becomes dimmer after months or years.

Causes

· LED lumen depreciation

· Dirty lenses

· Driver degradation

· Voltage drop in long cables

Solutions

✔ Clean lenses regularly
✔ Use high-lumen-efficiency LEDs
✔ Upgrade drivers
✔ Use proper cable size

Recommendation: Choose LED street lights with LM80 and TM21 tested LEDs.

5. Water Leakage Inside Street Lights

Problem

Moisture or water appears inside the street light housing.

Causes

· Damaged gasket

· Poor sealing design

· Incorrect installation

· Cable entry leakage

Solutions

✔ Use IP66 or IP67 LED street lights
✔ Replace silicone gaskets
✔ Seal cable entry points
✔ Ensure proper installation

Important: Water ingress is the main cause of premature LED driver failure.

6. LED Driver Failure

Problem

Street lights stop working after a short period.

Causes

· Power surges

· Lightning strikes

· High temperature

· Low-quality components

Solutions

✔ Install 10kV–20kV surge protection
✔ Use branded drivers
✔ Ensure good ventilation
✔ Use waterproof drivers

Professional Advice: Drivers should last at least 5–7 years in outdoor environments.

7. Uneven Road Illumination

Problem

Road has bright and dark areas.

Causes

· Incorrect optic design

· Wrong pole spacing

· Improper mounting height

· Wrong beam angle

Solutions

✔ Use professional lighting design software
✔ Select correct optics (Type II / Type III / Type IV)
✔ Adjust pole spacing
✔ Choose proper mounting height

Lighting Tip: Proper optical distribution improves road safety and energy efficiency.

Advantages of Proper LED Street Light Maintenance

Regular maintenance helps:

✔ Extend lifespan to 50,000+ hours
✔ Reduce maintenance costs
✔ Improve road safety 
✔ Maintain consistent brightness
✔ Prevent unexpected failures

Author introduction

   Author

G'day My friends,

My name is Royce O'young, I’m the sales manager of Oleder Lighting. I have been in the LED lights industry for more than 17 years. Good at lighting design, track light & street light system configuration, and bidding technology support,and architecture inner decorating lighting advice . Feel free to contact us. I am happy to provide you with the best service and products.

Email: r.oyoung@oleder-lighting.com | Wechat/WhatsApp: +86159 2057 0517.