How to Fix a Motion Sensor Light (Turns ON & OFF by Itself)

Why does my motion sensor light turn ON by itself?

Your motion sensor light is turning ON by itself due to electrical interferences, sunlight reflections, heat changes, electromagnetic interferences, reflections or low battery.

Electrical Interferences
Sunlight Reflections
Heat Changes
Electromagnetic Interferences
Reflections
Low Battery
Traffic
Vibrations
Animals

As mentioned above, traffic, vibrations or animals can also turn the motion sensor lights ON by themselves.

Table of Contents

Electrical Interferences: Power fluctuations and spikes due to internal or external power surges are common causes of motion sensor lights turning ON automatically. Power spikes usually happen when home or external appliances switch ON and OFF by themselves.
Sunlight Reflections: When direct sunlight reflects upon the motion sensor light or passes through plants or trees, it can make the light turn ON by itself. This happens mostly at the time of sunrise and sunset.
Heat Changes: If your motion-triggered light turns ON by itself, it can be due to temperature changes. The temperature change from warm to cold and vice versa can cause this issue. Also, keeping the light in the way of HVAC vents and ACs can cause this issue.
Electromagnetic Interferences: Radio-frequency or electromagnetic interferences can cause this issue by triggering the motion sensor lights. Devices like Wi-Fi routers, smartphones, radios and more send transmissions that are sometimes trapped by the lights.
Reflections: If an object like a mirror, glass window, metal or a shiny surface gets reflected into your motion light sensor, it can cause the device to turn ON by itself.
Low Battery: If your motion sensor light has a low battery, it can automatically turn ON just like it does when there’s a voltage fluctuation.
Traffic: If you have set the sensitivity switch too high, the passing traffic can also turn the motion sensor light ON.
Vibrations: Vibrations of moving vehicles and other sources can trigger your motion light sensor and thereby turn it ON.
Animals: Another common reason for motion sensor lights turning ON automatically is the movement of pets and other animals. Even an insect or a spider can trigger the light and turn it ON.

Why does my motion sensor light turn ON and OFF by itself?

Your motion sensor light can turn ON and OFF by itself because of voltage fluctuations, sunlight and other reflections, heat changes, electromagnetic interferences, manufacturing disputes or other causes.

Voltage Fluctuations
Sunlight and Other Reflections
Heat Changes
Electromagnetic Interferences
Manufacturing Dispute
Damaged Wiring
Poor Wiring
Faulty Equipment

As mentioned above, other reasons leading to this issue are damaged wiring, poor wiring or faulty equipment.

Voltage Fluctuations: Internal or external power surges from electrical appliances can cause voltage fluctuations, which can turn your motion sensor light ON and OFF.
Sunlight and Other Reflections: If the sunlight directly or via an object like glass windows gets reflected in your motion sensor light, it can switch ON and OFF the light.
Heat Changes: A sudden temperature change from cold to warm and vice versa can trigger your motion sensor light and turn it ON automatically and then turn it OFF when the temperature changes again.
Electromagnetic Interferences: Transmissions sent from smart devices like smartphones and WiFi routers can trap the light and turn it ON and OFF.
Manufacturing Dispute: Due to manufacturing disputes, your motion sensor light can turn ON and OFF by itself.
Damaged Wiring: If the wire connecting your motion sensor light is damaged, it can make the device turn ON and OFF automatically.
Poor Wiring: The installation plays a big role in how your motion sensor light works. Poor wiring can cause the device to switch ON and OFF automatically.
Faulty Equipment: The reason for your motion sensor light turning ON and OFF by itself can also be due to a hardware issue such as faulty equipment.

Why does my motion sensor light turn OFF by itself?

Your motion sensor light is turning OFF by itself due to a manufacturing dispute, power cut, voltage drop, damaged wiring, poor wiring or faulty equipment.

Manufacturing Dispute
Power Cut
Voltage Drop
Damaged Wiring
Poor Wiring
Faulty Equipment

Manufacturing Dispute: Your motion sensor light can have manufacturing disputes, which is probably making the device turn OFF by itself.
Power Cut: If the power suddenly goes OFF, the motion sensor light won’t get any power resource and will automatically switch OFF.
Voltage Drop: There can be a voltage drop caused by the power surges of other electrical appliances, which can lead to this annoying issue.
Damaged Wiring: If the wire through which your motion sensor light is connected gets damaged, it can make the device turn OFF automatically.
Poor Wiring: Installation disputes such as poor wiring can make your motion sensor light switch OFF by itself.
Faulty Equipment: Hardware issues such as faulty equipment can also make your motion sensor light turn OFF by itself.

How to fix a motion sensor light that turns OFF by itself?

To fix a motion sensor light that turns OFF by itself, you can override motion detection, hardware bypass, adjust the duration settings or try changing the bulb.

You can try the methods below to resolve the motion sensor light turning OFF issue. The tools you will require to fix some of the above issues are the user manual, a new switch, a new bulb, new wires, a screwdriver and screws. The fix won’t take more than 15-20 minutes.

Override Motion Detection: The first thing that you can try would be resetting the light by turning it ON, OFF, and ON. Here’s how you can do it:

Turn your motion sensor light OFF.
Wait for at least 30 minutes.
Turn it back ON to resolve this issue.

Hardware Bypass: You can also try hardware bypass using a manual switch. Follow the methods below to do it:

Open the wallbox of the motion sensor.
Add an additional switch to the light.

The above steps will help you to create a parallel line between the manual and sensor switch. When you turn the switch ON manually, the motion sensor will be bypassed and stay ON.

Adjust the Duration Settings: Advanced motion sensor lights are equipped with duration settings that you can change to keep your light turned ON. To do it, you need to follow the instructions in the user manual for your motion sensor light.

Change the Bulb: You may need to replace the old bulb with a new one if the motion sensor light is turning OFF due to a faulty bulb. While buying a new bulb, you need to carefully choose the right type and pattern. Here’s how you can replace the bulb:

Switch OFF your power socket.
Wait for the old bulb to cool.
Open the cover of the motion sensor light.
Take the bulb out of the socket.
Place the new bulb into the socket.
Close the light case or cover.
Turn ON the power.

Change Wires: If the light is OFF due to poor or damaged wiring, you can consider changing the old wires. You will get the wire of your motion sensor light in the nearest electric stores or online. While purchasing a new wire, make sure it’s compatible with your motion sensor light model and brand.

If none of the above methods resolve your issue, it could be a manufacturing defect. You can consider contacting the customer support team of your motion sensor light brand for further assistance.

How to stop a motion sensor light from turning ON by itself?

To stop a motion sensor light from turning ON by itself, you can adjust the sensitivity and add a side cover.

Today’s advanced motion sensor lights such as the Leviton Decora come with flexible adjustment options that you need to alter occasionally to fix this issue.

Adjust the Sensitivity: The sensor of your motion light detects nearby objects and turns ON the light. If the sensor is set too high, the light will turn ON from unnecessary movements. So you need to adjust the sensitivity to resolve this issue by following the steps below:

Look for the range dial of your motion sensor light.
Lower the levels and adjust to fix the issue.

Add Sides Covering: If your motion sensor light is installed at a higher level, the light may not detect human movements properlyand will turn ON when it detects trees and other unnecessary movements. To fix this issue, you can add sides covering by following the steps below:

With electrical tape, cover the sides of your motion sensor light.
Check if the light is prevented from detecting trees or unnecessary movements.

How to stop a motion sensor light from turning ON?

To stop a motion sensor light from turning ON, you can install a manual switch.

The main cause of your motion sensor light turning ON by itself is the motion sensor, which is detecting unnecessary movements or reflections. It’s a common problem in high-end sensitive lights such as the Leonlite LHSCT-20WRSS30-WHT. You can try the method below to resolve this issue:

Install a Manual Switch: If you can install a manual switch on your motion sensor light, the device won’t turn ON automatically until you manually turn it ON. Here’s how you can do it:

Uninstall the wallbox.
Add an extra switch to the light.
Install the wallbox once again like before.

How to disable a motion sensor light switch?

To disable a motion sensor light switch, you need to use the On-Time switch that’s placed on the fixture right under the motion sensor.

Most modern motion sensor lights such as the Maxsa Innovations 40218 have this switch.

Here’s what you need to do:

You need to flip OFF the light switch to fix this issue.

Why is my motion sensor light flickering?

Your motion sensor light may flicker due to poor connection, a defective bulb or a circuit problem.

There can be multiple reasons leading to the light turning ON and OFF. Most of the reasons are related to the hardware, which you can try fixing by following the user manual. Below are the main reasons:

Poor connection
Defective bulb
Circuit problem

How to fix a motion sensor light that flickers

To fix a motion sensor light that flickers, you need to check the sensor connection, replace the bulb or change the circuit.

As mentioned in the above answer, most of the causes are related to hardware and so the fixes are also going to be hardware related. You may need tools like a few screws, a screwdriver, a tester, a new bulb, a new circuit and the user manual to fix the issue. It may take 15-20 minutes to complete the task.

Check the Connection: To check the electric connection, you can follow the steps below:

Open the circuit using a screwdriver.
Use the tester to check the connection.
If there’s a connectivity issue, set the faulty connections right.
Fix the circuit with screws and a screwdriver.

Replace the Bulb: Here’s how you can replace the faulty bulb of your motion sensor light:

Turn your power socket OFF.
Wait until the old bulb cools down.
Open the motion sensor light cover.
Replace the faulty bulb with a new one.
Close the light case or cover and fix all screws.
Turn ON the power.

Change the Circuit: You can change the circuit if it’s faulty. To do it, follow the steps below:

Open the circuit using a screwdriver.
Replace it with a new circuit.
Fix all the screws with the screwdriver.

Why is my motion sensor light coming ON during the day?

If your motion sensor light is coming ON during the day, it can be due to high sensitivity settings, auto-on features or hardware issues.

High Sensitivity Settings: Setting the sensor too high can make your motion sensor light stay ON during the whole day.
Auto-On Feature: Motion sensor lights are configured with an auto-on feature that makes them turn ON after a certain period of time.
Hardware Issues: If your motion sensor light is having some hardware issues, it can automatically turn ON and stay ON during the day.

To stop your motion sensor light from staying ON during the day, you need to change high sensitivity settings, stop the auto-on feature or contact customer care.

Change High-Sensitivity Settings: To change the high-sensitivity settings of your motion sensor light, you can try the following steps:

Turn your motion sensor light OFF.
Lower the sensitivity using the range dial.

Stop Auto-On Feature: You can turn the auto-on feature OFF to fix this issue by following the steps listed in the user manual of your motion sensor light.

Contact Customer Care: If the reason is a hardware issue, you may need to consider contacting the customer care team of your motion sensor light for assistance.

Why does my motion sensor light stay ON all night?

Your motion sensor light can stay ON all night due to the auto-on feature, high sensitivity settings or hardware issues.

Auto-On Feature: This advanced feature makes the motion sensor lights turn ON after a certain period of time.
High Sensitivity Settings: If the sensor is set too high, it can make your motion sensor light stay ON during the night.
Hardware Issues: The reason for your motion sensor light staying ON all night can also be hardware issues like manufacturing defects or damage.

To stop your motion sensor light from staying ON during the night, you need to stop the auto-on feature, change high sensitivity settings or contact customer care.

Stop Auto-On Feature: Since the method varies from brand to brand, you need to check the user manual provided with your motion sensor light for instructions on how to stop this feature.

Change High-Sensitivity Settings: You can try the following steps to change the high-sensitivity settings of your motion sensor light:

Switch ON your motion sensor light.
Use the range dial to lessen the sensitivity.

Contact Customer Care: If there’s a hardware issue, you need to call the customer care team of the motion sensor light to help you out.

Why is my motion sensor light dim?

If your motion sensor light is dim, it can be because the dimmer is enabled. Disabling the dimmer should resolve the issue.

Dimmer: Motion sensor lights come with unique features like a dimmer, which helps you to decrease the power of the light at your convenience. But you can stop this feature to resolve this issue. To disable the dimmer, you need to look up the associated user manual for instructions on how to go about this.

Leviton motion sensor light turns ON by itself

Leviton motion sensor lights such as the RS110-10W can turn ON by themselves due to high sensitivity. To fix this issue, you need to adjust the sensitivity level.

Adjust the Sensitivity: You can follow the steps below to adjust high sensitivity:

Find the range dial of your motion sensor light.
Lower the sensitivity levels with the help of the range dial.

Leonlite motion sensor light turns ON by itself

Leonlite motion sensor lights such as the ‎LHSCT-30WRSS30-BRZ can turn ON by themselves because of the movements of trees. To fix this issue, you can add a covering on the sides of the light.

Add Sides Covering: You can add sides covering and stop your motion sensor light from turning ON automatically by following the steps below:

Cover all the sides of your motion sensor light with electrical tape.
Make sure that the light has stopped detecting trees or unnecessary movements.

Maxsa motion sensor light turns ON by itself

Maxsa motion sensor lights such as the Maxsa 43341 and the Maxsa 44219 can turn ON by themselves due to the motion sensor. To stop this problem, you can install a manual switch.

Install a Manual Switch: Installing an additional manual switch on your motion sensor light will stop the device from turning ON automatically until you manually turn it ON. Here’s how you can do it:

Open the wallbox related to the sensor.
Connect a supplementary switch to the light.
Close the wallbox again.