Have you ever noticed that your LED lightbulbs, which used to be bright white, now give off a yellow light?
This is mainly because of the aging process of LED. LED lights can change color or temperature over time. This is called “color shifting” or “color temperature shift.” This shift happens because the phosphor layer inside the LED slowly wears away, changing the quality of the light it puts out.
The color temperature of the light is one reason. LED bulbs have different color temperatures, measured in Kelvin (K). Lower values give off warmer, yellower light, while higher values give off the cooler, bluer light. If your LED lights look yellow, it’s probably because they have a lower color temperature.
These bulbs are often called “warm white” or “soft white,” giving off a warm, yellowish light. Another thing to think about is how old and good the lights are. Over time, LED lights can lose their quality, and their colors may start to look more yellow.
Sometimes, power changes or dimmer switches that don’t work well together can also change the bulb’s color. To get the original white light back, you can change the bulbs with a higher color temperature or ensure the bulbs are in good shape and work with your lighting setup. So, here are some of the reasons why your white lightbulbs turning yellow:
Check the Bulb’s Age
LED bulbs have a normal life span like all other lighting devices. It means that the parts inside the bulb can break down over time. One thing that often happens when this happens is that the color temperature changes. At first, LED lamps give off a white or blue light, but their light may become warmer and yellowish as they age. This color change can be very obvious and change the way your area is lit as a whole.
To deal with problems caused by how old your LED lights are, you should check to see if they are still under protection. Buying new lights may be best if they are old and no longer under guarantee. Newer LED technology can last longer, give better light, and use less energy. So, if your lights are old and no longer under protection, you should think about getting new ones.
Clean the Bulbs
Over time, dust, dirt, and grime can build up on the surface of LED lights. This buildup can make the light look yellow because it scatters it. It happens often, especially when faucets aren’t cleaned as often as they should be.
You can fix this problem by following a simple process to clean LED lights. Make sure the bulbs are completely off and cool. Then, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the surface gently. It’s important not to use anything rough or chemical because they can scratch or damage the bulb’s surface. Cleaning the lights often can help them keep their original color, temperature, and brightness.
Adjust Color Temperature
Some LED lights let you change the color temperature. You can change the color of the light with these choices. This useful tool lets you change how your lights work for different tasks and feelings.
If your LED lights have this function, you can try changing their color temperature to cooler and whiter. This change can stop the yellowing and give the light color a more pleasing look. It’s a good way to deal with color temperature changes without changing the lights.
Change the Dimmer Setting
Some dimmer switches may not work with LED lights. Problems like a yellowish glow, flashing, or uneven dimming can happen if two things don’t work well together.
To fix color problems caused by fading, you might want to replace your current dimmer switch with one made of LED lights. Alternatively, if you have a suitable dimmer, ensure it’s not dimming the lights too low. Setting the dimmer too low can make the bulbs look yellow. Adjusting the lower settings correctly can make a big difference in the quality of the light your LED bulbs give off.
Inspect the Wiring
LED bulbs can sometimes give off bad light because of electricity problems. These problems are loose links, broken wires, and the wrong way for electricity to move.
To fix possible electrical problems, check the wires and links to ensure they are tight and not broken. Loose or broken connections can stop the flow of electricity, making the lights flicker or change colors.
If you don’t understand how the wiring works or have any electrical problems, getting help from a trained plumber is best. They can determine what’s wrong with your LED bulbs’ wiring and fix it, ensuring they work safely and reliably.
What are The Main Reasons LED White Lightbulbs Now Glow Yellow?
Your white LED bulb is giving off yellow light because it is old and worn out. The once bright white light may look softer and yellow as the bulb ages. While this happens regularly, other factors, including manufacturer quality, environment, and voltage, can influence color.
If the yellowing gets annoying, you might need to change the LED bulbs with new ones to get the white light quality back to how it was.
- Age and Usage
LED lights can break down after a long time of use. It can cause their color temperature and how they show colors to change. It is especially likely to happen with older LED lights or ones that have been used a lot. When an LED bulb is used a lot, its parts can wear out, making it harder to keep putting out the same color.
- Phosphor Coating Deterioration
White light can only come from LED chips coated with phosphor. But this covering can wear off over time, making the light yellowish. This deterioration can be sped up by exposure to high temperatures and using low-quality parts. As the phosphor layer wears away, it hurts the quality of the light that the LED bulb gives off.
- Color Rendering Index (CRI)
An LED bulb’s Color Rendering Index (CRI) measures how well it matches how natural light shows colors. The light from LED bulbs with a lower CRI may look more yellow or less realistic. It’s best to choose LED bulbs with a higher CRI to keep a more natural and whiter light output, especially in places where correct color representation is important.
- Quality of Components
The color steadiness of an LED bulb is greatly affected by the general quality of the parts used to make it, such as the phosphor material and other internal parts. Bulbs with parts that aren’t very good are more likely to change color and turn yellow over time. Investing in high-quality LED lights can help ensure they work better over time.
- Power Quality
Power source and voltage changes can greatly affect how well LED lights work. LEDs can give off different light colors, like a yellowish hue if their power isn’t good. To fix this problem, you could use voltage controllers or surge breakers to ensure your LED lighting system always gets the same power.
- Environmental Factors
LED lights may not work well if exposed to high humidity, extreme temperatures, or direct sunlight. These things may cause the bulbs to change color or last less long. To ensure LED bulbs last long and stay the same color, they must be put in places that match their recommended working conditions.
- Dust and Contaminants
When dust, dirt, or other particles build up on the surface of LED bulbs, they can absorb and spread light, changing the color of the light that is seen. LED lights need to be cleaned and maintained regularly so that these particles don’t change the color and brightness of the lamp. Keeping things clean can help keep the lighting uniform and of good quality.
- Mismatched Bulbs
If you have more than one LED bulb in the same room, their color temperatures must be the same so that the light is even. When you mix bulbs with different color temperatures, the light can look different, which may not be what you want in some situations. Ensure you choose the same bulbs every time to get a consistent lighting experience and avoid color differences.
How To Differentiate Between White And Yellow Led Bulbs?
Color temperature and packing label are the two primary factors determining the exact color of your LED bulbs. To ensure the color temperature, turn on the bulb, and you will see the light color. The second most accurate method is to see the packing label. Manufacturers write the color on the packing.
The third is the bulb appearance. If the cap of your LED bulb, it’s a white LED light. On the other hand, a yellow LED bulb is likely to have a yellow cap or a yellowish tint. But it’s important to remember that you can’t always tell what color a bulb is just by looking at it. Some LED bulbs have clear or transparent caps that make it hard to tell what color they are just by looking at them.
Color Temperature
Yellow LED bulbs give off a warm, yellowish light similar to old-fashioned incandescent lamps. Most of the time, their color temperature is between 2700K and 3000K (Kelvin). The light will be brighter and yellow as the Kelvin number goes down.
White LED bulbs can give off light that ranges from cool white to bright white. The color temperature of cool white LED bulbs is between 4000K and 5000K, while the color temperature of bright white lights is between 5000K and 6500K. Compared to yellow LED bulbs, these give off a brighter, more blue light.
Packaging Labels
Check the LED bulb’s box or sticker to see what it says. Most manufacturers write the color temperature on the package in Kelvin. Look for words like “Warm White” or “Soft White” for bulbs that are more yellow and “Cool White” or “Daylight” for more white bulbs.
Appearance
When you look at a yellow LED bulb, its light will look warm and cozy, with a yellowish or warm orange glow. It is often used in living rooms and bedrooms where a softer, relaxing light is wanted.
White LED bulbs will give off a brighter, cleaner light that looks like natural daylight or electric lighting. Compared to yellow LED bulbs, this light looks brighter and can be sharper. It’s often used for task lighting or places where visibility and clarity are important, like restaurants or offices.
Conclusion
Several things can cause LED bulbs to change from giving off bright white light to giving off yellow light. As the phosphor layer inside LED lights wears away over time, a natural process called “color shifting” occurs. Also, the color temperature of LED lamps, measured in Kelvin, can change how the light looks. Lower numbers make the light warmer and yellower.
To fix the problem of LED bulbs turning yellow, it’s important to consider how old they are since earlier bulbs are more likely to change color. Regularly cleaning the bulbs will help them keep their original color temperature and clarity since dust and other particles can affect how well they work.
Color problems can also be fixed by changing the color temperature settings, removing dimmer switches that don’t work well together, and checking the wires. Sometimes, the wiring is delivering the wrong voltage, causing the color change in the bulb.
The color of LED light can also be changed by things like the quality of the parts, the security of the power source, the surroundings, and whether or not all the bulbs in a room have the same color temperature. For correct color representation, choosing LED lights with a high Color Rendering Index (CRI) is important.
