How to Keep LED Light Strips From Falling Off? Best Methods

How to Keep LED light Strips From Falling Off? The novelty of decoration with LED strips brought a new issue to solve: how to keep LED strips in place.

Fortunately, you can employ many methods.

A surface must be spotless before installing LED strips. After that, you can resort to foam tape, fixing clips, aluminum extrusion, or even mounting putty.

The guide below will help you have an excellent panoramic view of all the options available.

That way, you can choose the one that best fits your place and the products you can acquire.

Why Do LED Strips Sometimes Fall Off?

Sometimes your LED strips fall off the wall no matter what you attempt. That is annoying, but you can troubleshoot it if you understand why. 

The most common reasons your LED strip lights are falling are listed below.

Dusty or Uneven Surface

The installation surface being too dusty or bumpy is a common cause of LED strips slipping off.

The LED strip’s 3M double-sided adhesive force will be ineffective if the placement surface is dirty or rugged.

Water/Humidity

The LED strip’s 3M double-sided tape loses its adhesiveness when exposed to water, so avoid installing it in a damp area.

The LED tape will eventually lose adherence in wet areas.

Chemical Residues

The adhesiveness of 3M double-sided tapes may be compromised by certain chemicals, resulting in the eventual detachment of the LED strip.

Overheat

In a confined space, the heat from the LED strip will disperse slowly.

The 3M double-sided tape attached to the LED strip will lose its adhesiveness if the temperature rises over a certain point.

Incorrectly Installed Wires

Depending on how you install your LED strips, it might be that the power wires on its end are pulling the whole system from the wall. 

What To Do When LED Strips Fall Off?

The first thing you have to do is get rid of the old adhesive.

Unfortunately, the adhesive is not reusable. Once it has formed a bond with one surface, it will be challenging to create another strong bond with a different surface.

To get rid of the old glue, soak a cloth in acetone, a grease remover, or a citrus-based solution, and then rub the adhesive firmly.

Make sure you don’t ruin your LEDs by adding too much water. Next, you must find a way to keep your LEDs from falling off again.

If you want, buy more 3M tape for your LED strips and adjust it with one of the solutions below.

How To Keep LED Light Strips From Falling Off?

After reading the main reasons behind your LED strips falling off the wall, you might already have some ideas about avoiding that. 

Still, we want to help you achieve the best result. Because of that, below you can check very effective solutions.

After that, the LED strips will only detach from the wall when you want them to.

Solution #1: Clean With Alcohol

This solution is straightforward. First, you must buy rubbing alcohol (aka isopropyl alcohol) and clean the aimed surface.

Only after you make sure the surface is immaculate and dry must you install the LED lights.

If you think that is unnecessary, remember that rubbing alcohol will remove dust and other substances on the wall.

Thus, the surface will be perfectly clean, becoming the desired place to install LED light strips.

Note: You can use rubbing alcohol when installing or removing adhesives, no matter the surface.

Solution #2: Use Foam Tape

For the purpose aimed here, foam tape’s greater weight makes it a great choice.

In addition, the foam tape is more adhesive than the typical 3M backings, so it works well in areas that aren’t perfectly smooth or clean.

You may also use the foam tape to cover the area, after which you can adhere to the LED strip using the 3M standard adhesives that came with it.

That is because the foam tape provides an excellent sticking surface.

You can use one of the methods mentioned earlier, even if the strip is on its side or upside down.

Note: Keep in mind that gravity pulls downward on strips, making it more difficult for them to remain attached if you position them on the bottom of anything.

Solution #3: Fixing Clips/Mounting Clips

Clips for fixing the strip in place, such as the “Strip Light Mounting Clips” sold on Amazon, are a convenient method to secure the strip. 

The disadvantages include the need for more room around the LED strips and more time to screw them in (the extra width of the clip) if you choose a kit that uses screws.

You’ll have to decide if you’d instead use a solution that drills additional holes in your walls/furniture/cabinets or one which utilizes adhesive. 

If you already have trouble with adhesive solutions, choose fixing clips that use screws.

Adding More Adhesive

The increased sticky surface area should allow the strips to retain their hold longer than they would with the original backing.

That is true, even though you’re adding more glue to the mix. The clips provide a secure attachment that won’t come loose until you take them out.

Clips for securing the strips work well, whether angled downwards, upwards or to the side.

They function well both indoors and outdoors, where conventional backing tapes fail.

Tip: Even if it takes additional effort, screws will secure a better result.

Solution #4: Install Aluminum Extrusions

Aluminum extrusions may also be used to secure your LED strips in place. 

LED strips stick well to their inner surface, including a protective covering to prevent the tape from becoming damaged by regular 3M tape.

Either screw the extrusions into position or use fixing clips that the extrusion snaps into.

Great for use inside or out, the extrusions contribute to the security of the LED strips. They are entirely adjustable, so you can put them upside down.

Of course that this is a particular choice. As you can see from the price of Aluminum Extrusion on Amazon, it is not the cheapest DIY tool. 

But suppose you want a long-lasting, expert installation. In that case, you may use the Aluminum Extrusion as a sturdy foundation for your light strips.

Note: Aluminum extrusions are a very professional solution, but the aesthetic result is not amazing. You will probably want to use them only where they are not too visible.

Solution #5: Use Mounting Putty

Let’s say you had your LED strips on the wall for a long time, and now they have lost their adherence completely.

Plus, you don’t want to use 3M tape anymore. Unfortunately, that also means it won’t work with any of the solutions already listed.

In that case, you are not helpless. There is still one more alternative, which is using a mounting putty.

Users describe it as a mobile and versatile alternative to nails, glue, or staples.

All you have to do is use your hands to mold a strip of putty into the desired shape, then push it onto the back of your LEDs. The strip can then adhere to the designated surface.

Tip: Mounting putty is excellent as it does not leave too much residue when taking it off the wall.

What We Learned

How to Keep LED Strips From Falling Off? There is a mix of prevention and getting down to work in the science of keeping LED strips from falling off. 

To keep your LED lights up on the wall the longest, you must clean the surface perfectly before installing them.

After that, settle down for an option that suits your aesthetic values or budget.

It can be mounting clips, aluminum extrusion, mounting putty, or foam tape.