Do you find that you are running out of ideas to get your solar lights to work? Solar lights are top-rated products; however, that does not mean they come without their problems. There are various tips to apply if you want to fix your solar lights.

Solar lights are considered beneficial as they are cost-effective, do not cause pollution, and are often reliable. They are regarded as one of the best energy sources in today’s world. Therefore, it makes sense why it would be frustrating if they decided not to work. What could cause this, though?

Reasons Why the Solar Light Stop Working

Solar lights are designed to be resilient and resistant products. This belief is so because they are meant to stay outside and withstand all the various weather conditions. A few common reasons include:

The Lights Are in a Covered Area or the Shade

They are not receiving enough sunlight and thus cannot charge.

The Batteries Are Dead

The battery’s lifespan has ended – They may be dead, worn out, or are simply too old.

Faulty Sensors

If there is a faulty sensor, the sensor may not be able to differentiate between darkness and light; therefore, it does not produce light at night.

Dirty Panels

Layers of dirt or dust on the panels result in no light – This prevents any sunlight from reaching the panels causing the battery not to charge.

There Is Water Inside the Panels

A build-up of water inside the panels may result in damage to the internal circuit or wiring.

Other Lights Are Surrounding the Solar Lights

Solar lights do not work if other lights are situated too close to them. The sensors pick up on light, whether artificial or not, which affects the solar light’s performance.

How to Fix Solar Lights That Stopped Working

The following are things you can attempt to get your solar lights to work again:

Turn the Light On

Ensure that the lights are switched on – This may seem obvious, but you would be surprised at how many people actually forget to turn them on.

Remove the Pull Tab on the Battery

Make sure that there is no pull tab on the light’s battery – New lights often have a pull tab on the battery. This needs to be removed; otherwise, the battery is not going to operate. However, this is only a solution for newly purchased solar lights.

Test the Light by Covering the Panels

In general, solar lights only work at night. They charge during the day. You need to stimulate a dark environment to test whether the light is working.

Clean the Solar Panels

Believe it or not, cleaning your panel is essential because this impacts the amount of light the panel receives during the day. The panel needs to receive sufficient light so that it can charge effectively. Dirty panels do not allow the light to charge properly; hence, not enabling the product to perform correctly.

Position the Solar Light Correctly

Another reason you might not be able to get your light to work is that it is located in an area that does not receive sufficient sunlight. Place the light in an area with a great deal of sunlight during the day so that it can fully charge before night.

Switch the Light Off and Leave it to Charge for 72 Hours

Your lights may simply require a thorough charge. Most solar lights do charge even when switched off. Turning the light off is going to give it an ample opportunity to charge entirely over the next few days, as long as it is left in sunlight.

This is actually a tip that everyone should regularly apply with their solar lights. It is a good maintenance technique.

Alternative Options

Use Regular Batteries to Test the Lights

A common problem with most solar lights relates to batteries. They often do not hold the charge or receive it; therefore, you should try to use ordinary batteries to test out the light. If the light works this way, it is evident that you need to look at the rechargeable batteries in the light or the solar panel itself.

Contact the Manufacturer or Retailer

If you have tried everything and nothing seems to be working, go back to or contact the person or store you bought the lights from. It is helpful to note whether your lights have a warranty or not and a return policy when purchasing them. Make sure to always keep receipts in these instances.

The Bottom Line

Nobody wants to purchase something only to find out that it does not work. Luckily, most of the time, there are simple things that can be done to resolve the issue. This is why it is vital to ensure that you purchase high-quality items.

If your solar lights do not want to work at night, you often have to look at what occurs during the day to figure out the solution. You may find that most of the time, fixing solar lights requires a simple task or action.