Troubleshooting: Flickering or Strobing Lights on Gen 2 Dimmers

Troubleshooting: Flickering or Strobing Lights on Gen 2 Dimmers

Summary (TLDR)

Flickering lights typically stem from a mismatch in LED/Switch drivers or using a dimmer with non-dimmable bulbs. Inovelli dimmers use MOSFET and Leading Edge technology which work with many different bulbs, however, if you have a bulb that uses TRIAC or trailing edge technology or ELV, unfortunately, this is what causes the flickering. This issue can be solved by setting minimum/maximum levels on your switch or replacing your bulbs with compatible ones. 



NOTE: This article relates to our Gen 2 Dimmers (LZW31 - Black Series, LZW31-SN - Red Series).

Problem

When the dimmer is installed, the light bulbs flicker. It's actually normal if the bulb flickers at the 0-10% range, but it's not normal if the bulb flickers at the high range or all the time. No one asked for a strobe party, let's figure out how to fix it. 

Root Cause 

In most cases the root cause is a driver mis-match between the smart switch and led bulb. Our dimmers use MOSFET (instead of TRIAC) and Leading Edge (instead of Trailing Edge) technology. Bulbs are created differently and you should try to find a Leading Edge bulb for the optimal experience with Inovelli dimmers. 

Flickering Levels

As mentioned, there are a couple different examples of this problem. It's important to determine at what level where your flickering problem lies. Please select one of the issues to be taken to the solution:
  1. Low: Bulb flickers at low levels 0-20%
  2. Medium: Flickers at various levels (ie: above x% and below y%)
  3. High: Flickers at any level
Now that you've determined which level your bulb flickers at, let's see if we can fix it (NOTE : in some cases we can't -- the bulb is just simply incompatible).

Solution

First, determine whether or not your flickering problem is a Low, Medium or High one as referenced in the Flickering Levels above. For Low/Medium problems, we'll configure the minimum and/or maximum dim level from the switch itself. Before we do this, let's first understand how to read the LED Bar values.

Yellow LED Bar  = Parameter Number
Purple LED Bar  = Parameter Value  
Short Blink  = Integer of 1 (ie: 5x short blinks = 5)
Long Blink  = Integer of 10 (ie: 2x long blinks = 20)

Example: We want to change the minimum dim level to 25%. Enter the configuration menu by holding down on the config button for 10 seconds until the LED bar turns Yellow.
  1. SHORT BLINK YELLOW 2x:  Yellow indicates the parameter, so since the Minimum Dim Level parameter is parameter 2, the LED bar will slow blink 2x, indicating it's on parameter 2
  2. LONG BLINK PURPLE 2X, SHORT BLINK PURPLE 5X: To get to 25%, you want the purple LED bar to slow blink 2x (20) + fast blink 5x (5) = 25%
Let's begin.

Bulb Flickers at Low Levels 

To solve for this, we'll set a minimum level at the switch (NOTE: This can also be done via most hubs). Before solving for this, determine the level that your light flickers. Using your smart app, put your dimmer to a certain level and see where the bulb starts flickering. For example, it's say your bulb starts to flicker at 20%. You'll want to put the minimum level at 21%. Follow the instructions below for help:
  1. Hold down on the config button for 10 seconds (or until the LED bar turns Yellow)
  2. Tap the config button 2x to change to the, "Minimum Dim Level" parameter (LED bar should blink twice)
  3. Hold up on the paddle for 3 seconds and let go -- the LED bar should long blink 1x (equals a value of 10%)
  4. Hold up on the paddle for 3 seconds and let go -- the LED bar should long blink 2x (equals a value of 20%)
  5. Tap up on the paddle 1x (equals a value of 1%)
  6. Your LED bar should long blink 2x and short blink 1x indicating a value of 21%
  7. Save this configuration by holding down on the config button for 10 seconds (or until the LED bar turns Yellow again)
  8. Release the config button when the LED bar turns YELLOW and it should flash CYAN confirming you've saved the parameter value 


NOTE: This can be done via the Hub by adjusting parameter 5.

Bulb Flickers at Various Levels 

Typically, in this scenario, the LED bulb works within a range. In other words, it may work between 20-80%, but anything outside that range, the bulb will flicker. In this case, we'll have to set a minimum and maximum level at the switch (NOTE: This can also be done via most hubs). Before solving for this, determine the levels that your light flickers. Using your smart app, put your dimmer to a certain level and see where the bulb starts flickering. For example, let's say your bulb flickers at 20% and 80% and above. You'll want to put the minimum level at 21% and maximum level of 79%. Follow the instructions below for help:

Minimum Level Instructions:
  1. Hold down on the config button for 10 seconds (or until the LED bar turns Yellow)
  2. Tap the config button 2x to change to the, "Minimum Dim Level" parameter (LED bar should blink twice)
  3. Hold up on the paddle for 3 seconds and let go -- the LED bar should long blink 1x (equals a value of 10%)
  4. Hold up on the paddle for 3 seconds and let go -- the LED bar should long blink 2x (equals a value of 20%)
  5. Tap up on the paddle 1x (equals a value of 1%)
  6. Your LED bar should long blink 2x and short blink 1x indicating a value of 21%
  7. Save this configuration by holding down on the config button for 10 seconds (or until the LED bar turns Yellow again)
  8. Release the config button when the LED bar turns YELLOW and it should flash CYAN confirming you've saved the parameter value 

NOTE:  This can be done via the Hub by adjusting parameter 5.

Maximum Level Instructions:
  1. Hold down on the config button for 10 seconds (or until the LED bar turns Yellow)
  2. Tap the config button 3x to change to the, "Maximum Dim Level" parameter (LED bar should blink three times)
  3. Hold up on the paddle for 3 seconds and let go -- the LED bar should long blink 1x (equals a value of 10%)
  4. Repeat the, "Hold up on the paddle for 3 seconds and let go" seven times (7x)
  5. The LED bar should slow blink 7x -- indicating a value of 70%
  6. Tap up on the paddle 9x (equals a value of 9%)
  7. Your LED bar should long blink 7x and short blink 9x indicating a value of 79%
  8. Save this configuration by holding down on the config button for 10 seconds (or until the LED bar turns Yellow again)
  9. Release the config button when the LED bar turns YELLOW and it should flash CYAN confirming you've saved the parameter value 
Video coming soon....
NOTE:  This can be done via most hubs by adjusting parameter 6. 

Bulb Flickers at All Levels 

Unfortunately, there's not much we can do here other than change the bulb. Please ensure the new bulb is a dimmable bulb that's MOSFET and Leading Edge rated -- you can choose one from our Gen 2 Dimmer Compatibility List.