Solar lights in the garden are one of the best solutions simply because you don’t have to worry about an electrical setup to get your garden looking fresh and beautiful for the season. But what do you do when those solar garden lights stop working?
There are a few different reasons that could be the real problem and we’re here to troubleshoot with you and try to give you some things to check out to see if you can get your solar garden lights back to how they should be.
Check Out the Light
Start with a thorough inspection of the light itself so you can make sure the issue is not technical. Most solar garden lights have on and off switches. Check for that switch and just make sure it’s flipped to the on position.
This may seem silly but you might be surprised at how often those switches tend to get flipped. That’s a pretty simple fix. You might also take this time to wipe off the solar panel so that it is not affected by dust or debris on the panel.
If the switch appears to be to the on position, look for things like moisture inside the light or signs of rust. Unfortunately, moisture can lead to electrical issues with the connections that prompt the light to work. If there is rust or corrosion on the connections, you may have to replace the lights or lights affected.
If your lights are on a strand or cord or all together, check the cord. Rodents and outdoor animals have a tendency to chew these cords and your wire may need some help. If it’s just a minimal place that has been affected, try taping the bare spot with electrical tape.
Check Surrounding Areas
Remember that solar garden lights are solar-powered so take a look at the area and make sure your lights are getting the solar light they need. You might not realize how much a surrounding piece of shrubbery or even a plant near the light might be affecting the performance of the solar light.
Check for plants near your solar lights but also take a good look at the entire area so you can know that your solar garden lights are truly being exposed to the sun for several hours a day. You may need to move the light so the panel isn’t blocked or you may need to do some trimming in the area.
Also, be sure that the solar panel is facing in such a way that it receives direct sunlight. It’s easy for these lights to get bumped or turned and even wind or soil changes can make a difference as to the positioning. Try repositioning the light to ensure it is getting maximum sun.
If you are able to reposition or fix the problem, a couple of hours of sunlight will have your garden light back on and illuminating as it should be.
Fresh Batteries
Many solar-powered garden lights also use batteries to operate. Check the batteries and replace them and see if that works. Many garden light owners don’t realize that batteries are even a part of the system but this is a good thing to check.
Most of these lights use AA or AAA batteries and may even only have a single battery in them. You will probably need a small screwdriver to open up the battery port. Replace the battery and see if that gets your light going again.
On the same note, your batteries may just need a refresh. You can try flipping your power switch to off for 2-3 days to allow your batteries to just charge through solar power. Many users actually recommend this process every month or so to really get the most out of your lights and your batteries.
Find Customer Service
If all else fails, it’s perfectly acceptable to reach out to the manufacturer of your solar garden lights and ask for help. Many lights are covered by short-term limited warranties so that is something to consider.
It’s always possible that you received a defective light or that something simply went wrong. Even the best quality brands can have issues like this. If your lights aren’t several years old and just need to be replaced, try reaching out to customer service and see if they can offer a solution or advice for your problem.
Conclusion
It’s the pits when your solar garden lights stop working but don’t give up on your lights just yet. Many of these solutions are simple things that will just take a few minutes to try out and see if you can resolve your problem.
We hope you find this guide to be a valuable resource and that your solar garden lights will be working perfectly again once you try these things out!