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 light is not able to fully charge during the day, the light's performance will be negatively impacted. Please ensure that the light is located in an area that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day to allow the batteries to fully charge. If the light is not operating properly, please call Hampton Bay customer service at 1-855-HD-HAMPTON (1-855-434-2678) and one of the team members will be able to get more information to help troubleshoot and resolve the issue.