A majority of projectors in the current market are lamp-based. And that means that like the light bulbs in our homes they need to be replaced after a while.
The problem though is that it’s hard to tell when they need a replacement. The last thing you want is your projector failing in the middle of a presentation, movie, or show.
The good news is that there are a couple of ways to know when your projector lamp is failing and needs to be changed. Read on as we take look at what they are and more in this article.
How to test if a projector lamp is bad
Here are a few tests you can perform to know that your projector’s lamp is bad:
Look out for indicator lights or warning messages
Depending on the projector model you own, you’ll get a warning message, or the indicator lights will turn on when the lamp’s lifespan is coming to an end. Now, that doesn’t mean that you need to replace the bulb immediately but it’s a warning that you should expect failure or burn out anytime.
It’s a good idea to have a backup bulb for convenience when your projector’s lamp finally burns out.
See Also: Best Projectors for RVs
Adjust the brightness and monitor picture quality
For this test, set up your projector in a completely dark room. You can close the blinds or curtains or wait for full darkness to achieve that.
Proceed by increasing the lamp’s brightness to the highest brightness level and closely monitor the quality of the displayed images.
Considering that you have the most ideal conditions for projection, you should get bright and clear images. If you get dim and blurry images, then your lamp may require a replacement.
Keep in mind, the lower the quality of images displayed, the closer the bulb is to burn-out.
Watch out for flickering images
If your projector is producing flickering images, it’s a sign the lamp is bad but it may also be indicative of other things. To know for sure that a bad lamp is the cause, you have to eliminate all other possible causes.
Other reasons you may be getting flickering pictures are exposure to extreme temperatures or a damaged lamp from the projector being dropped. Once you have cleared your projector of these, then it’s possible your projector lamp needs a replacement.
See Also: The Best Projectors for Daytime Use
Watch out for color shifting
Color shifting is another sign that your projector’s lamp needs to be replaced. If you look closely at displayed images, you’ll notice that the colors are muddy-looking and not as accurate as they normally are. That’s because the lamp is weak and struggling to produce those vibrant and crisp colors you’re used to.
Try to adjust the color setting options on your projector. If nothing changes, then the most likely reason is that the lamp is bad.
Listen for bulb burnout
This might seem odd but it’s a good way to know whether your lamp is bad. It’s similar to how you sometimes turn on an incandescent bulb in a room and you hear a popping sound as it burns out.
Unlike the indicators or warning messages we’ve discussed, a popping sound means an immediate replacement is necessary.
Testing if a projector lamp is bad: Frequently Asked Questions
Do projector lamps go bad?
Yes, projector lamps go bad. That can be caused by exposure to very high temperatures or very low temperatures. Falling from a high level could also cause projector lamps to go bad.
What happens if you don’t replace a projector lamp?
If you don’t replace your projector lamp after getting a warning message or seeing the indicator lights on, it will become dimmer over time and burn out at some point. If you prefer to use the bulb until the end of its life, switch out the screen for a new one or limit yourself to dark rooms.
Final Words
It can be annoying when your projector randomly stops working when you’re using it. Luckily, there are certain signs you can look out for to know whether your projector lamp is close to the end of its life. Here’s a summary:
- Look out for warning messages or indicator lights
- Adjust the brightness and monitor image quality
- Watch out for flickering images
- Watch out for color shifting
- Listen for bulb burnout