LED Lights Too Bright? How To Reduce The Blinding

LED lights are very economical, but sometimes produce a very bright light. So it can happen that the newly purchased ceiling lamp is much too bright. Also the indicator LEDs installed in different devices are sometimes very bright and disturbing. Here you can find out what you can do against LED lights that are too bright and dazzling.

LED light is too bright

LED technology has established itself and LED lights have many advantages. But sometimes an annoying effect occurs: Light-emitting diodes radiate their light almost point-shaped. As a result, many people perceive the light as much too bright. Depending on where they are used, some LED light sources are therefore perceived as disturbing and one feels dazzled. LEDs that are too bright occur primarily in these scenarios:

  • Bright luminaire with integrated LEDs
  • LED illuminant shines too bright
  • Annoying device LEDs

What to do if the LEDs are blinding?

Depending on how the LEDs are used, there are different ways of darkening the lights. In the following sections you will find the steps to solve the most common cases of bright LEDs.

Bright LED illuminants

LED illuminants are usually used retrospectively as replacements for old halogen or incandescent lamps. Especially LED spots or very small pin-base lamps can be very bright depending on their power.

What to do?
  • Replace illuminant
  • Use a dimmer
  • Use a diffuser foil

Replace illuminant

Replacing the bulbs that are too bright with a variant with the same lamp socket but less power will solve the problem permanently. If the luminaire contains several light bulbs, it is advisable to replace only one bulb first. This way you can check if the weaker variant really doesn’t dazzle before you order a complete set to replace all the LED bulbs.

Use a dimmer

Many light sources are only too bright in certain situations. To darken the lamp if necessary, the use of a dimmer is recommended. This way you can always adjust the brightness accordingly. LED dimmers are available for installation in place of the light switch and also as intermediate plugs.

Use a diffuser foil

Furthermore, there are so-called diffuser foils, which cause a scattering of the light. Depending on the installation situation, such a foil can be attached in front of the LED illuminant. Due to the wider light distribution, the light source no longer appears as bright.

Attention: This is a workaround

The installation of a diffuser in front of an LED lamp should only be considered as a workaround and is used at your own risk. It should only be carried out in exceptional cases and only for lamps with a low wattage of just a few watts. Otherwise heat accumulation could occur. The lamp may burn out or, in the worst case, even catch fire!

Darken luminaire with integrated LEDs

Modern LED luminaires usually have integrated light-emitting diodes. Here, it is only visible after purchasing how exactly they radiate their light. Some ceiling luminaires or pendant luminaires above the dining table do not have such good light distribution. From some directions the light appears too bright and even dazzles. In contrast to normal LED light sources, the LEDs here cannot be replaced by a weaker variant.

What to do?
  • Change alignment
  • Use a dimmer
  • Use a diffuser foil

Change alignment

Many luminaires have movable spotlights. A different orientation or inclination is the easiest way to solve the problem. Even if there are no movable spotlights, the mounting direction of the luminaire can still be changed with little effort. A slight rotation of the luminaire is often sufficient to prevent the glare.

Use a dimmer

Many luminaires are only too bright in certain situations. For example, one would like to have cosy lighting while eating, and for clearing and cleaning the table, it may become brighter again. The use of an LED dimmer is recommended here. So you can always adjust the brightness accordingly.

Use a diffuser foil

Furthermore, there are so-called diffuser foils, which cause a scattering of the light. Depending on the installation situation, such a foil can be attached in front of the LED illuminant. Due to the wider light distribution, the light source no longer appears as bright.

Attention: This is a workaround

The installation of a diffuser in front of an LED lamp should only be considered as a workaround and is used at your own risk. It should only be carried out in exceptional cases and only for lamps with a low wattage of just a few watts. Otherwise heat accumulation could occur. The lamp may burn out or, in the worst case, even catch fire!

LED device lamps too bright

Many technical appliances have integrated indicator LEDs. Whether WIFI router, charger or receiver: LEDs are installed everywhere to indicate the operating status. Some of these LEDs are much too bright and sometimes even blink. If this device is located in your living room or even in the bedroom, these device lamps are very annoying.

What to do?
  • Switch off status lights
  • Covering LED displays
  • Darken indicator LEDs
Too bright device LEDs are really annoying

Switch off status lights

Many devices such as routers or set-top boxes have a configuration menu. Sometimes there is a corresponding option to switch off the status lights completely or even to set a time period in which nothing should light up. You can find out whether your device offers this option by reading the user manual or doing a short online research.

Covering LED displays

Many bright indicator lamps cannot be switched off. With an opaque adhesive tape, however, the annoying LEDs can simply be covered. Especially with tissue adhesive tape, one should keep in mind that residues can occur when removing the tape.

Darken indicator LEDs

Often one does not want to completely deactivate or mask the device lamps that are too bright. After all, many status LEDs have a useful function and indicate a corresponding operating status of the device. In this case, the LEDs can be masked with a translucent adhesive foil, painted with a dark pen or with dipping varnish. So nothing dazzles anymore, but the status of the device remains visible.

Conclusion

Too bright LED lamps are causing an uncomfortable light and often are dazzling. Now you know what you can do with too bright LED lights to darken them. You can also use these tips to make these annoying device lamps darker or even deactivate them.