The phenomenon which one or several lamps can not be illuminated during installation is called dead lamps. Although this might seem to indicate poor quality, it is actually quite common for a small percentage of LEDs to fail in the first 72 hours. That is why it is crucial to have a 72 hour burn test to find and replace the defective lamps.

Improper storage is the most frequent cause of damaged LEDs. If a lamp is exposed to humid conditions after being opened, it is likely to cause product failure. The silicon material used to encapsulate the lamp is water absorbent, making it very susceptible to humidity. Once mounted, a lamp that has been exposed to humidity will expand and contract, compromising its connection. And these would lead to the deformation of chip and brackets after high temperature welding. LED lamps should be stored in ventilated, dry condition to ensure a long life.

Many chemical liquids are not suitable for LED cleaning as it would damage the LED’s gel face or even cause the gel to crack. If necessary, it is better to clean the LED with alcohol cotton swab at room temperature in a ventilated environment.
If your dissipation structure, driver, or lamp plate is mismatched to the specific LED you are using, it is very likely to cause a lamp failure. This happens because improperly matched equipment can burn an LED at a temperature not suitability for it, causing it to burn out immediately or dramatically shortening its life span.

Static electricity can also cause a LED to malfunction. To prevent ESD damage to the LED, it is necessary for those who test and assemble LED to wear anti-static gloves, and go through a static free clean room before entering the factory.