• Trustpilot
  • Delivery Delivery
    Free Standard GB Delivery Over £75
70% OFF Connectable Bayonet Festoons While stock lasts
SHOP NOW
Phone
+44 (0)1257 792111
Phone
My Account
My Cart
Festive Lights
New
Water Features
Solar Lights
Solar Animals
Solar Decking Lights
Solar Fairy Lights
Solar Fence Lights
Solar Lamp Posts
Solar Lanterns HOT!
Solar Memorial Lights
Solar Path Lights
Solar Security Lights
Solar Wall Lights
Solar Water Features HOT!
Solar Wind Chimes & Wind Spinners
Solar Animals
Solar Decking Lights
Solar Fairy Lights
Solar Fence Lights
Solar Lamp Posts
Solar Lanterns
Solar Memorial Lights
Solar Path Lights
Solar Security Lights
Solar Wall Lights
Solar Water Features
Solar Wind Chimes & Wind Spinners

Shop All Solar Lights

Festoon Lights
Fairy Lights
Indoor Fairy Lights
Battery Fairy Lights
Bedroom Fairy Lights
Firefly Wire Fairy Lights
Outdoor Fairy Lights
Solar Fairy Lights
INDOOR FAIRY LIGHTS
Battery Fairy Lights
Bedroom Fairy Lights
Firefly Wire Fairy Lights
OUTDOOR FAIRY LIGHTS
Solar Fairy Lights
Lanterns
Battery Lanterns
Garden Lanterns HOT!
Solar Lanterns
Battery Lanterns
Garden Lanterns
Solar Lanterns
LED Candles
Connectable
Accessories
Cluster Lights
Curtain Lights
Fairy Lights
Festoon Lights HOT!
Figures
Garlands & Wreaths
Icicle Lights
Net Lights
Silhouettes
Trees
Shop All ConnectGo®
Accessories
Cluster Lights
Curtain Lights
Downlights
Fairy Lights
Festoon Lights HOT!
Garlands
Icicle Lights
Net Lights
Rope Light
Silhouettes
Trees
Shop All ConnectPro®
Accessories
B22 Belts & Bulbs 70% OFF
E27 Belts & Bulbs
Shop All FestoonPro®
Accessories COMING SOON
Cluster Lights COMING SOON
Curtain Lights COMING SOON
Fairy Lights COMING SOON
Icicle Lights COMING SOON
Net Lights COMING SOON
Shop All ColourConnect® COMING SOON
Other

INDOOR

Battery Operated Lights
Indoor Festoon Lights
LED Trees
Light up Letters
Nanoleaf™ Smart Lighting
Twig Lights

OUTDOOR

Curtain Lights
Net Lights
Outdoor Battery Lights
Rope Light
Security Lights
Shed Lights
Spring Wreaths HOT!
String Lights
Wall Lights
Water Features
Wedding Lights
Christmas
Indoor Christmas Lights
Christmas Candles
Christmas Cluster Lights
Christmas Candle Bridges
Christmas Fairy Lights
Christmas Tree Lights
Christmas Window Lights
Hanging Christmas Lights
Twinkly Smart App Controlled Lights
Shop All Indoor Christmas Lights
Outdoor Christmas Lights
Christmas Curtain Lights
Christmas Festoon Lights
Christmas Figures & Sculptures
Christmas Icicle Lights
Christmas Net Lights
Christmas Silhouettes
Outdoor Christmas Cluster Lights
Outdoor Christmas Fairy Lights
Outdoor Christmas Tree Lights
Twinkly Smart App Controlled Lights
Shop All Outdoor Christmas Lights
Christmas Decorations
Christmas Figures & Sculptures
Christmas Garlands
Christmas Gonks
Christmas LED Infinity Mirrors
Christmas Stockings & Sacks
Christmas Table Decorations
Christmas Tinsel
Christmas Tree Decorations & Baubles
Christmas Tree Skirts
Christmas Tree Toppers
Christmas Village Scenes
Christmas Wreaths
Outdoor Christmas Decorations
Shop All Christmas Decorations
Artificial Christmas Trees
Fibre Optic Christmas Trees
LED Christmas Trees
Outdoor Christmas Trees
Potted Christmas Trees
Pre-Lit Christmas Trees
'Real-Feel' PE Christmas Trees
Tabletop Christmas Trees
Shop All Christmas Trees
Shop All Christmas
INDOOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Christmas Candles
Christmas Cluster Lights
Christmas Candle Bridges
Christmas Fairy Lights
Christmas Tree Lights
Christmas Window Lights
Hanging Christmas Lights
Twinkly™ App Controlled Lights
Shop All Indoor Christmas Lights
OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Christmas Curtain Lights
Christmas Festoon Lights
Christmas Figures & Sculptures
Christmas Icicle Lights
Christmas Light Stakes
Christmas Net Lights
Christmas Silhouettes
Light up Reindeer
Outdoor Christmas Cluster Lights
Outdoor Christmas Fairy Lights
Outdoor Christmas Tree Lights
Twinkly™ App Controlled Lights
Shop All Outdoor Christmas Lights
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
Christmas Figures & Sculptures
Christmas Garlands
Christmas Gonks
Christmas LED Infinity Mirrors
Christmas Table Decorations
Christmas Tree Decorations & Baubles
Christmas Tree Skirts
Christmas Tree Toppers
Christmas Wreaths
Outdoor Christmas Decorations
Shop All Christmas Decorations
ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREES
Fibre Optic Christmas Trees
LED Christmas Trees
Outdoor Christmas Trees
Potted Christmas Trees
Pre-Lit Christmas Trees
'Real-Feel' PE Christmas Trees
Tabletop Christmas Trees
Shop All Christmas Trees
CHRISTMAS
Shop All Christmas
ACCESSORIES
Batteries
Disklok
Hooks & Clips
Plug Timers & Extension Leads
Storage Bags & Reels
Shop All Accessories
Sale

General

Do outdoor lights use a lot of electricity?
Fairy lights FAQs
A Guide to Water Features
IP rating for lights

Festoon Lights

Festoon Lights FAQs
How to Hang Festoon Lights Guide
How to use catenary wire and festoon poles

Solar Lights

Solar lights FAQs
Solar lights installation guide
Solar lights troubleshooting
Solar water fountain FAQs
Ultimate Solar Lights Guide

ConnectGo®

ConnectGo® System Overview
ConnectGo® Accessories Overview
What's the difference between ConnectGo® and ConnectPro®?

Christmas

Are Christmas lights expensive to run?
Christmas lights FAQs
How many lights do you need for your tree?
How to install outdoor Christmas lights

ConnectPro®

ConnectPro® System Overview
ConnectPro® Accessories Overview
What's the difference between ConnectGo® and ConnectPro®?

Twinkly

Basic setup
Mapping
Grouping
Resetting

FestoonPro®

FestoonPro® System Overview
  • Delivery
  • Returns
  • Login/Account
  • Business
  • Help
  • Blog
  • Register
  • Contact

Inspiration Blog!

  • All Articles
  • Featured Inspiration
  • Christmas
  • Wedding
  • Interior Décor
  • Garden Inspiration
  • DIY & Fun Stuff
  • Technical Advice
  • News & Media

All Articles

Everything you could possibly need or want to know about lighting - we’re the experts

8 things to do if your solar powered lights aren’t working

Garden Inspiration
Published: 28th May 2014

Written by: Leah Winstanley

Are your solar lights not working ? If they’re not staying on, or aren’t turning on at all, there are a few checks you can do to figure out the problem. Sometimes, customers struggle to get their brand-new lights set up properly, and other times, they can falter over a period.

But why do solar lights stop working suddenly? There are causes that you can investigate. In this guide, we provide quick and easy troubleshooting if your solar lights are not working, with simple steps for both new and used lights.

How do solar lights work?

Before we troubleshoot why your solar light does not work, it’s important to understand the mechanism of garden lights. Getting to grips with settings and controls will help you know how to test solar lights or check for broken solar lights.

So, how do solar lights work and what components do they come with? Solar lights absorb energy from the sun through a solar panel, which is made up of photovoltaic (PV) cells. These cells convert light into energy, powering the battery that keeps your lights on. This means the battery will charge during daylight, ready for use at night.

Depending on the product, there may be a number of light functions to choose from, including various light sequences, colour change settings, or a timer that turns lights on and off. These types of lights will have a power box. Many solar products come with a light sensor too, which means they will automatically turn on when it gets dark. This is the case with many of our solar light products.

If your lights are brand new, make sure you’ve checked our instructions for optimum solar light setup.

1. Check that they’re turned on

Have you just received your lights and are struggling to get them to work? It’s not uncommon for people to ask, “Why are my brand-new solar lights not working?” because they haven’t figured out the settings.

If the issue isn’t individual solar bulbs not working, but the whole set of lights, the first step is to make sure the power is on! While not all solar lights come with a power switch, some do. If your product comes with a switch, it needs to be pushed into the ‘on’ position for any light sensors to take effect.

If your lights have suddenly stopped working after a certain period, it may be worth doing a quick reset. To reset your lights, turn them off at the switch. Wait for a few minutes, then turn them back on. Or for a full reset, turn them off and let them fully charge for 36-48 hours before testing them again.

8things1

2. Check the battery

For brand-new lights, you’ll need to check if there’s a pull tab attached to the battery. Pull tabs are little pieces of plastic, inserted into the battery pack to prevent the batteries from working before the product is delivered to you.

They are usually clear (and not always easy to spot if you have poor eyesight or impaired vision). Look for a little red arrow on the plastic tab, as this indicates where to pull the tab out. Once the tab has been removed, you’ll be able to turn your lights on.

pull-tab

3. Replace the batteries

A common issue with solar lights not working is a dead battery. Solar lights tend to come with long-lasting rechargeable batteries, but these will need to be occasionally replaced. Typically, this may be once every few years, or sooner, depending on your level of usage.

As a guide, rechargeable batteries have an approximate lifespan of somewhere between 300 and 500 charges. If you’re seeing a significant drop in your light’s runtime, this could be a sign that the batteries are due for replacement. If your lights stop working altogether, the battery may be completely depleted.

If you don’t have rechargeable batteries to hand, a good way to check is to test them with regular batteries. If the lights work using regular batteries, then it’s almost certainly a battery issue rather than broken solar lights.

Please be aware that dead batteries should be changed as soon as possible, as they can start to erode and leak acid, which can cause permanent damage to your lights.

8things6

4. Check the wiring

After ensuring it’s not a battery issue, if you still can’t get your solar lights to turn on, the next step is to look at the wiring.

For old lights, inspect the exterior of the wires to check for any visible damage. You’ll want to make sure the connections are secure and not corroded. You’ll also need to look out for any loose or broken wires, as well as any general wear and tear.

To access the internal wiring, you will need to carefully open the solar light. This may require the housing or solar panel to be unscrewed so you can inspect it. If any wires have come loose, these will need to be reattached. If repairs are required and you’re not sure how this could affect your warranty, please contact the retailer for guidance.

Always test the lights after any changes made to wiring, and make sure you put the solar panel back in the sunny spot to recharge, ready for testing at night.

8things7

5. Ensure the solar panel is clean

Another common issue for solar bulbs not working or turning on is the solar panel not absorbing enough light from the sun. This is often caused by dirt or debris, which can build up over time, particularly during autumn and winter. Heavy rain or wind can cause soil and dirt to splash or bounce onto the panel’s screen, so regular cleaning is recommended. You can do this with a soft cloth or a small brush.

solarwipe

6. Test the solar panel

Here’s how to test solar lights when you’ve ruled out battery and wiring issues. If testing in daylight, you will need to completely cover the solar panel/sensor area to simulate darkness. By covering the sensor, you can mimic nighttime conditions to see if your lights will turn on.

We also need to point out that there are certain limitations to solar-powered lights, particularly with the climate here in the UK! So, it’s not unusual to see lights working less effectively during the winter months. There are also lots of cheap garden lights being sold all over discount stores, supermarkets and online marketplaces. If you want lights that perform all year round, we recommend investing in quality lights from an outdoor light specialist, like us.

High-quality lights use an amorphous panel, as they work better in low lighting, as opposed to a cheaper crystalline one, and feature a larger battery for enhanced winter performance.

solar-panel

7. Consider the position of your solar panel

You may also want to think about repositioning your solar panel if it is completely clean, but you’re still having issues with your solar lights not working. Make sure your solar panel is in the best position to absorb energy from the sun and ensure there is nothing blocking it from receiving enough light.

Here are some tips for placement if your garden solar light does not work:

Don’t place your panel in shaded areas. Trim overhanging foliage as overgrown trees and bushes cast shadows which prevent solar panels from soaking up the sun’s rays.

Adjust the solar panel angle accordingly. In the Northern Hemisphere, angle them southward, and in the Southern Hemisphere, angle them northward. Careful positioning will maximise the amount of sunlight captured by the photovoltaic cells as the direction of the sun changes throughout the day.

Adapt placement to the seasons. The sun’s position will also change with the seasons, so you may need to tweak the position of the panel at different times of the year to account for this.

Avoid charging through glass. Charging through glass, such as in a greenhouse or conservatory, will greatly lessen the solar panel’s ability to charge. Double or triple-glazed windows can be especially tricky and may prevent your lights from working altogether due to a low charge.

Still not working? Time to get in touch

If all else fails and you’re still having issues with your solar lights not working, it could be the manufacturer’s fault. Contact the retailer from which you purchased your lights, and they should be able to help with a refund or replacement if you’re within the warranty period.

Find the perfect solar lights at Festive Lights

At Festive Lights, all our solar light products come with a 12-month warranty for peace of mind. Our friendly customer service team is on hand to help you troubleshoot should anything go wrong. They can advise you on how to test solar lights or help with a refund if you bought your lights from us. You can find out more about our refund policy here.

If you’re looking for a better quality replacement for broken solar lights purchased elsewhere, we can help you find the perfect product to transform your outdoor space.

For support, please contact us here. Or start browsing our huge range of beautiful solar-powered products for your garden – including solar fairy lights, solar path lights, solar lanterns, and much more.


Related articles

DIY & Fun Stuff
April 4th, 2019

DIY: Neon Sign Do-it-yourself tutorial to make your own neon cactus!

Read Now
Garden Inspiration
July 27th, 2018

How To: Garden Party, Boho Blogger Style!

Read Now
DIY & Fun Stuff
August 23rd, 2018

Staycation is the new vacation! Celebrate the bank holiday with a 'staycation' holiday!

Read Now
*First time subscribers only. Discount applies to full-priced items. By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy.
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pintrest Youtube LinkedIn TikTok
Amazon Pay American Express Apple Pay Google Pay
Klarna Master Card PayPal Visa

Customer Care

Support Contact Us Delivery Information Returns & Exchanges Product Knowledge Centre Product Manuals

About Us

About Inspiration Blog Lookbooks Sitemap

Information

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Site Security Cookie Policy Careers

Visit

© Festive Lights 2025