How to fix neon signs – troubleshooting neon sign problems
Neon signs are beautiful, we can probably agree on that. But, since the commercial use of neon gas for signage is a traditional technology with a long history, classic glass neon signs require a certain level of expertise when it comes to troubleshooting issues that cause malfunctions.
We don’t expect you to become an expert overnight if your neon sign starts acting peculiar, so we thought we’d give you a little guide at hand that can help identify and ultimately solve any technical issues with a broken neon sign.
How to fix a neon sign
Malfunctions of broken neon signs can have complex causes, so a general troubleshooting guide can only stay at a first-aid level.
Below you will find answers and suggestions for several questions and topics relating to malfunctioning neon signs. If your neon sign is behaving irregularly, please consult these points to have some basic information handy when you contact our support team to guide you further. When you get in touch with our customer support experts for assistance in fixing your neon lights, a short video of the turned-on sign showing the cabling can also be helpful, so in order to save time make sure to send this in as well when requesting assistance.
Generally, the first step in determining how to fix a neon sign is to establish whether the underlying issue is related to the glass tubes or the cabling. Based on this first assessment, it’s possible to investigate further. In order to assess the issue with your broken neon sign, please follow these steps:
- Disconnect the power supply from the neon sign.
- Connect the power supply to the individual parts of the neon sign, which are called glass systems, one by one.
- Observe and record how the systems behave when connected directly to the converter.
For step 3, the following questions are relevant:
- Did the glass system not light up at all?
- Did the system flash briefly?
- Did it flicker?
Please keep this in mind, as we will be referencing this initial test later on.
If after this first test it turns out that only one of the glass systems is not functioning properly or at all, this is a strong indication that the glass tube is damaged, i.e. broken. More on the topic of glass breakage further below.
Now that we’ve established the general first steps in troubleshooting broken neon signs, let’s get started with some of the most common problems encountered by our customers. All following tips and recommendations are quick checks that you can perform on site before contacting our support team for further assistance.
Neon sign flashes on then turns off
When your neon sign flashes briefly when it’s turned on, but immediately turns off again, the underlying issue is probably glass damage. Breakages in the neon tubes can be so small as to be invisible to the naked eye, but can still influence the performance of the neon sign.
Another possibility is faulty wiring, so first double check if all the cable connections are correct with the help of the wiring template included in your shipment. If you can’t find the issue here, proceed with the initial assessment test described above to narrow down the options.
Neon sign flickering
Flickering neon lights can have the same causes as flashing, meaning either glass breakage or cabling/connection issues. Proceed as described above and go from there to determine how to fix your neon.
Neon sign shuts off after a few minutes
If your neon sign is able to turn on, but shuts off again after just a few minutes, the problem is most likely with the power source and/or the power supply unit. Check for faulty connections, and if you can’t find the cause there or in the power source supplying the electricity, it might be necessary to exchange the converter(s).
Neon sign turned off and not working
Your neon sign is not working at all, meaning you’re fully unable to turn it on? This is most likely caused by faulty wiring or a broken converter. As above, check all cable connections first to ensure that your neon sign is wired correctly. If this is not the cause of the issue, try to find out if your transformer is functional if you can.
Broken neon sign glass
Traditional neon signs are made from bent glass tubes. Glass is a comparatively fragile material and can break with physical impact. Neon signs mounted in public areas should therefore always be protected with a protective cover plate.
If the glass tubes of your neon sign get damaged regardless, most of the time it’s immediately visible, but as described above cracks in the glass can also be tiny and hardly perceptible. When the tube is broken, the sign will immediately stop working, but with tiny hair cracks through which the neon gas slowly evaporates, it can take a while before the damage becomes apparent.
Either way, the broken glass can’t be repaired, as the neon gas is already gone, but has to be replaced. Luckily this doesn’t mean that the entire sign must be replaced. Neon signs are usually constructed out of multiple individual parts or elements (unless they’re very small of course) that are connected with cables. These elements or systems, as they’re called, can be reproduced and replaced individually.
If your neon sign is damaged and you have determined that the issue is a broken glass system that needs replacing, you can request a quote from our customer support department.
Please send the following information with your initial request to speed up the process:
- a photo of your broken neon sign (ideally in its entirety) that shows where exactly it is damaged
- details of your order, such as the invoice number, the name or e-mail address of the person who placed the order, and/or the shipping address
- especially for older orders, it can be helpful to provide design files if you still have them, such as technical drawings by Sygns and/or your logo files
Please be aware that reproduced replacement glass parts might slightly deviate in colour from the original order, as the tube used for the reproduction might come from a different batch of glass tubes. But not to worry as usually this is just a small deviation that only minimally affects the glow colour, meaning the difference in colour is in most cases not or barely noticeable.
Neon light repair cost
We would love to give you a general answer to the question of the cost of having your broken neon sign repaired, but unfortunately it’s not that easy. All our products are uniquely manufactured to order, which means that all possible issues that might arise are specific to your individual neon sign as well and how to fix your neon lights depends largely on the circumstances.
The good news is that if there’s only one glass system that is damaged and must be replaced, the cost is very manageable. Replacement glass elements are comparatively cost-effective, as you don’t have to repurchase the entire neon sign, and they can usually be produced and shipped very quickly. Shipping costs are much lower than your original order as well, because the “glass repro” (as we internally refer to it) is smaller and lighter.
There are of course a number of factors that determine the price of your replacement glass, such as size and colour, which is why an individual quote is always required. But in general, both replacing broken glass parts and replacing malfunctioning converters are relatively easy and low-cost ways to fix a broken neon sign.
Regarding repair or (re-)installation cost on site, you can perform all the above-described first-aid checks yourself. Replacing the affected glass elements is fairly uncomplicated as well, but if you wish to book one of our technicians to fix your neon sign for you, you can inquire about prices and availability from our support team or request an installation appointment online.
How to fix a neon light transformer
So what to do when you determine that the root of your broken neon sign issues is the converter? How do you fix a neon sign transformer?
You can’t. Sorry to break it to you, but if your converter is shot, there’s not much you can do about it except replace it. In some cases you could probably get it fixed by a specialised electrician, but honestly it’s much easier and cheaper to just get a new one.
And the good news is: You can get all the spare parts you need to keep your neon sign running for a long time at Sygns. Check out our accessories online shop, where you can conveniently buy spare components online. If you’re unsure what transformer model to order in your specific case, feel free to reach out for advice.
Neon sign care and maintenance
In general, neon signs don’t usually require a lot of maintenance. Sure, the electrical components have a certain lifespan like every technological appliance, so you might have to exchange them every few years or so. Aside from replacing the converter and the occasional glass tube when broken, there are a few easy things you can do to prolong your neon lights’ lifespan and keep them glowing bright for years to come.
Occasional cleaning is advisable, as you don’t want dust or grit accumulating on your beautiful neon sign. You can dust your sign off as needed or gently wipe it down with a damp cloth. Please make sure to always cut off the power to the sign before any maintenance work to avoid electrocution!
Depending on the placement of the neon sign, you might want to consider protection from outside factors. In our Neon Configurator, you can always add a protective acrylic plate to mount in front of your neon sign, as already mentioned above. This might even be mandatory in public or semi-public places, such as hallways or lobbies, in accordance with local regulations. In some cases, this can also make sense for outdoor signs, especially if they are installed at a height that’s easy to reach for passersby.
Broken neon sign support
Now you know how to troubleshoot neon sign problems, the first actions to take when your neon sign is not working properly, and how to determine how to fix a broken neon sign.
You can check out our Support site and FAQ page for more information, and submit a support request or claim if you require further assistance. As previously mentioned, please make sure to include all the relevant information regarding your order and the malfunction or damage of your particular sign.
For more in-depth info about neon and its many applications, check out our other blog articles by clicking on the button below.