How To Make LED Strip Lights Brighter?

Are you facing the brightness issue with your LEDs? And have no idea how to increase? No worries, let me help you.

LED strips often come with a certain brightness. So if you want more brightness, choose brighter lights. Also, you can use a controller, multiple strips, and select the proper beam angle.

Here, I have mentioned a details guide about how to make your strips brighter. Check them out–

Why LED Strips Lose Brightness? 

There are many reasons why LED strips lose brightness, for instance–

Poor Maintenance

Neglecting regular cleaning and maintenance can significantly reduce the brightness of your LED strips. Otherwise, dust or dirt will build up and cover the lights. This can make the brightness less and shorten the lifespan of the light. 

Therefore, you have to clean the fixtures frequently to keep them as fresh as new and get proper brightness. 

Exposure To Elements

You should know that using the same LED strip for both indoor and outdoor areas won’t give the same brightness. For instance, strip lights for indoors will be bright enough, but they look dim outside. The brightness also depends on the surrounding lights and the size of the area. Besides, your outdoor strips can collect dust and reduce brightness.

Bad Wire Connections

Bad wire connections, such as loose wires, can disrupt the power supply. As a result, you will get flickering, dim sections, or even complete failure of the strips. 

At the same time, poor contact or incorrect polarity can also lead to voltage drops and reduced brightness. Therefore, you must ensure that properly aligned connections and the use of quality connectors are essential for consistent performance.

Power Supply

Often, an inadequate or failing power supply is a common reason for LED strips losing brightness. For instance, when the voltage or current supply is below the strips’ requirements, the LEDs will dim or not function properly. Therefore, you have to match the power supply to the strip’s specifications and replace the damaged adapter to achieve proper performance. 

Humidity System

In humid environments, moisture can accumulate on the strips, leading to rust or corrosion of the components. This way, it can reduce the brightness and reliability of the strips. To prevent moisture, you can use fully sealed, waterproof LED strips for protection. 

Heat 

Excessive heat buildup can cause LED strips to overheat. This leads to reduced brightness, color shifts, and a significantly shorter lifespan. And bad heat dissipation, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, exacerbates this issue. Hence, you can ensure to install LED strips with aluminum channels or heat sinks. This will help dissipate heat and maintain optimal performance.

Color Temperature

The color of an LED strip can change how bright it looks. Even if two lights have the same brightness, cooler-colored light often seems brighter than warmer light. The reason for this is that warm light has a lower color temperature and gives off a soft, cozy glow. In contrast, cooler light looks brighter because of its higher color temperature.

Common Signs Of Dimming Or Low Brightness Of The Strips

Let’s explore the common signs of the dimming or low brightness of the strips. This way, you can understand the issue and fix the problem–

• Flickering Or uneven lighting

Flickering or uneven lighting in LED strips is often a sign of underlying electrical issues. When connections are not secure, resistance increases, which leads to intermittent power delivery and visible flicker. For this, you have to ensure all connections are tight, and using adequately rated components is essential for even illumination.

• Color fading over time

There are many reasons why LED strips experience color fading over time, which means a lower brightness. For instance, overheating, poor-quality strips, and a failing power supply. 

Overheating damages the diodes and the protective epoxy coating. Therefore, the white LEDs may turn yellow, and other colors may appear dull. On the other hand, low-quality strips often have less robust coatings and components.

Additionally, insufficient or failing power supplies can underpower the LEDs, which results in faded colors. 

• Brightness drops at the end of long strips

A noticeable drop in brightness at the end of long LED strips is a classic symptom of voltage drop. As electricity travels through the strip, resistance in the conductors causes a gradual loss of voltage. 

So, LEDs farther from the power source receive less power and appear dimmer. And you can notice this problem is more pronounced in longer runs and with thinner wires. To minimize voltage drop, keep wire lengths as short as possible and use thicker wires. 

• Reduced visual clarity in lit areas

When strips do not provide adequate or consistent brightness, the illuminated space can appear dull. This can hinder tasks requiring visual precision and diminish the aesthetic appeal of the environment. For instance, aging LEDs, poor-quality strips, insufficient power, or improper installation. For this, you can use high-quality products and ensure proper power delivery.

15 Methods To Make LED Strip Lights Brighter  

Let’s see the common methods for making the strips brighter–

01. Choose High-brightness LED Light Strip

The brightness of an LED light depends on its lumen rating. A higher lumen means a brighter light. If your light appears dim, consider one with a higher lumen rating. But don’t choose a light that’s too bright, as it can hurt your eyes. Let’s see which location requires the lumen rates–

Locations	Recommended Lumen Ratings
Living Room	230 – 440 lumen
Kitchen	1000 – 1600 lumen
Bedroom	230 or 270-lumen
Dining Room	440  – 800 lumen
Bathroom	330 – 400 lumen

02. Increase LED Density

LED density refers to the number of LEDs per meter or foot on the strip. As the LEDs come with different densities, you can choose one based on your needs. For instance, 60, 120, 180, and 240 LEDs per meter. Therefore, the higher the density of the LEDs, the brighter the LEDs. 

03. Mounting The LED Strip On The Reflective Surface

You can make your LED strip lights brighter by placing them on a reflective surface. For instance, materials like aluminum foil, whiteboards, or mirrors work well. These surfaces bounce the light back, making it appear brighter. 

If you stick lights on a plain wall, it can make the lights look dim. However,  you can use aluminum foil to increase the brightness of the light. Also, it is a cheap and simple option; just tape it where you install the lights.

04. Enhanced Power Supply

When your power source doesn’t give enough energy, your LED strips won’t shine brightly. You can also see them flicker. However, you can run the LED strips on regular plugs, USB ports, batteries, or even solar panels. 

If the light isn’t bright enough, try using a stronger power source. Plus, you have to ensure it meets the voltage and current needs of the strips. 

05. Use The Brightness Controller

By using a controller, you can adjust the brightness of the fixtures. There are several types of controllers available, including DMX, DALI RGB, IR, RF, 0/1-10V, and more. So you can choose the one that matches your strips. With them, you can control the brightness as well as adjust the lighting pattern, light color, etc.

06. Choosing High-Quality LED Strip Lights

The high-quality LED strips offer proper brightness. As many brands now produce strip lights, you have to ensure you choose the best one. You can do this by considering different company and their features. 

So if you are thinking of selecting strip lights, you can visit Mylikeled. We produce different types of strips based on color, size, and more.

07. Use Of Radiators

LED strips can become too hot for various reasons, which can reduce their brightness and even cause permanent damage. To stop this from happening, you can use a heat sink. This way, you can keep the strip cool and functioning properly. 

08. Choose Bright White Fixtures

If you choose warm-colored lights like orange or yellow, your room can appear dark. That’s why it’s best to select bright white lights such as 4000K and 6500K. These fixtures emit higher lumen output compared to warm white variants. This way, you can make spaces more vibrant and illuminated.

09. Pay Attention To The Beam Angle

The beam angle of the LED strip lights decides how light will be distributed. So when you use a narrow beam angle, it offers focused illumination. This makes the light appear brighter. On the other hand, a wider angle spreads light over a larger space. 

10. Using Multiple Strips

An easy way to make your LED strips brighter is by using more than one strip. If it’s hard to increase the power or try other methods, this is a simple option. Placing LED strips side by side gives a stronger and brighter light. It also spreads light evenly across the ceiling.

11. Increase The Distance Between The Surface And The Fixture

If the LED strip is placed too close to the surface, the light won’t spread well. So, it’s important to leave enough space between the strip and the surface. This helps the light shine evenly and brightly.

12. Check The Voltage Drop

LED light strips need the right voltage to work properly. If the power is too low, the lights will not be bright enough. For example, a 24V LED strip won’t shine well with just 12V. Also, longer strips can cause the voltage to drop. So, use the correct voltage for full brightness.

13. Keep Fixtures Clean

Dust and debris can make the LED light strips dirty and reduce brightness. Therefore, you have to clean the fixtures regularly. For this, you can use a cloth and wipe off the lights. However, you have to turn the power off before cleaning.

14. Replacing Faulty LEDs

As the LED strips come with many LED chips for proper brightness, a few of them can get damaged or malfunction. And defective LEDs can affect the overall lighting output. Hence, you can change the faulty LEDs to ensure proper brightness.

15. Check For Wiring Problems

Loose connections, damaged wires, or poor-quality solder joints can restrict the flow of electricity. This leads to a reduction in the brightness of your LED strip lights. So, carefully inspect all wiring and connectors, tightening or replacing as necessary. Proper wiring ensures efficient power delivery and maximizes the brightness and lifespan of your LED strips.

Factors That Influence LED Brightness

From chip quality to LED density, there are many features that affect your LED brightness–

• LED Chip Type And Brand: The type and brand of the LED affect the brightness. Typically, high-quality chips from reputed brands offer higher lumens, better efficiency, and a longer lifespan. Otherwise, inferior or generic chips can produce uneven lighting or dim output.
• Strip Voltage (12V vs. 24V): Since strips commonly operate at either 12V or 24V, choose 24V strip lights for increased brightness. This voltage reduces voltage drops, runs longer, and provides a more uniform brightness than 12V. 
• Power Supply Capacity: A power supply must match the LED strip’s voltage and current needs. If underpowered, LEDs will dim or flicker. Additionally, a high-quality power supply with at least 20% higher capacity than the total LED load is essential for stable operation. 
• LED Density (per meter): LED density refers to the number of LEDs per meter on a strip. Hence, the higher the density of the LEDs, the brighter the lights will be. For example, 120 LEDs per meter will appear much more colorful than 60 LEDs per meter.
• Heat Management: LEDs produce heat, and without proper heat management, performance drops. Mainly, excess heat reduces brightness and shortens lifespan. For this, you can use aluminum channels or heat sinks to help dissipate heat effectively. And good airflow and mounting on metal surfaces can improve thermal regulation as well.
• Installation Environment: The surrounding environment influences LED performance. At the same time, ambient temperature, humidity, and exposure to dust or water can affect brightness. Also, brightness can drop in cold or very hot conditions. Therefore, you have to choose suitable IP-rated strips for harsh environments to protect performance.

How Does Installation Affect Brightness?

Proper installation is necessary to achieve the desired level of brightness. Therefore, you have to ensure these while installing your LED strips–

Correct Mounting Position

With the right mounting, you can get the light directed where needed. When you install strips at the wrong angle, it can reduce perceived brightness and create uneven lighting. For example, mounting under cabinets or along coves must follow the correct orientation to prevent glare or dark spots. 

Surface Material And Color

Bright or glossy surfaces, like white walls or mirrors, enhance LED brightness by reflecting more light. On the other hand, dark or matte surfaces absorb light. This makes the area appear dimmer. So, you can install LEDs near light-colored or reflective surfaces to amplify brightness naturally.

Environmental Factors (indoor vs. outdoor)

As the indoor installations are more controlled, the brightness is consistent. Outdoor setups face sunlight, weather, and dirt factors that reduce visibility and dim lighting. Additionally, diffusers or waterproof covers can slightly block light. Therefore, opt for higher brightness levels and weather-resistant designs for outdoor use to ensure strong visibility.

Avoiding Obstructions or Shadows

Often, obstructions like furniture, architectural features, or foliage can block or scatter light. This creates shadows and reduces brightness. Therefore, you have to clear the lighting path and strategically place fixtures to prevent unwanted shadows. 

Conclusion

So, you can make LED strip lights brighter after reading the techniques given above. From choosing high-brightness LEDs to using multiple strips, there are several ways to make the LEDs brighter.

Therefore, if you want the brighter LED strips, contact Mylikeled. We produce various voltages of LEDs, allowing you to select the one that suits your needs. 

FAQs

What tools do I need to increase the brightness of an LED?

There are many tools that can be used to increase the brightness of the LEDs. For instance, you can use a variable resistor like a potentiometer to adjust current flow. Also, pulse-width modulation (PWM) controllers or microcontrollers can be used to rapidly switch the LED on and off. This can effectively increase brightness without extra energy use. 

Can more light be harmful to my LEDs?

Yes, pushing an LED beyond its recommended current or voltage can cause overheating and reduce its lifespan. Excessive brightness often means higher current, which risks damaging the LED’s internal structure. So you have to maintain proper electrical limits, and ensuring good heat dissipation is essential to prevent harm.

Does changing bulb type affect my lighting fixture’s brightness level?

Yes, changing the bulb type can significantly affect brightness. And different LED bulbs have varying luminous efficacy (lumens per watt) and color temperatures. This influences perceived brightness. So, using bulbs with higher lumen ratings or better efficiency will increase brightness without changing the fixture