If your PIR light stays on permanently it is most likely that there is an easy fix. Most common LED PIR lights have a set up routine you need to run. This switches them from ‘always on’ mode to ‘sensor’ mode where they only come on when the PIR sensor is triggered.

If you PIR light will not turn off or stays on all of the time try running the routines below. One of them should re-activate the PIR sensor in your light.

Try running the following routine.

1. Start with the light on
2. Turn the light off for between 1 and 2 seconds before turning on again
3. Hopefully now the light should go off based on the internal timer

If the above routine doesn’t work try the following:

1. Start with the light on
2. Turn the light on for between 30 and 40 seconds before turning on again
3. Hopefully now the light should go off based on the internal timer

If the above doesn’t work it may be that the sensor in your PIR has failed in which case it is time to replace your PIR light.

Other PIR Light Settings Worth Checking

PIR lights commonly have other settings that it is worth looking for and adjusting. Most lights will have a small dial on the rear of the unit to adjust each of the below settings.

1. Light Sensitivity
This setting simply adjusts how light or dark it needs to be before the PIR light becomes active and can come on. Once you have installed you light it is worth playing around with this setting as I have found that out of the box many PIR lights come on very early in the evening, well before dusk.

2. Time
This is simply the amount of time you want the light to stay on after it has been triggered.

3. Sensitivity of the PIR
This is perhaps the hardest setting to get right and will. usually need to be adjusted based on the location of the light. For instance PIR sensors can be very sensitive and be set off by small animals passing…which can be very common particularly in the countryside. I find most PIRs needs to have the sensitivity turned down after installation, particularly if you want to have the light trigger only when a person passes the light.