We are sorry to hear that you had this experience. For optimal performance, the lights should be located in an area that receives full, direct sunlight for at least 8 hours per day. If the lights are not located in an area that receives full, direct sunlight each day, the batteries will not be able to fully charge and the performance will be negatively impacted. win general, if there is an issue with an item, we suggest calling Hampton Bay customer service at 1-855-HD-HAMPTON (1-855-434-2678). In most cases, issues can be resolved over the phone with some minor troubleshooting.