just from a computer nerd aspect of LEDs. They have a huge life span, only need like 3.4 volts to run and one side has to be postive and one side has to be negetive. So maybe they are hooke up wrong? Or you gave them 12 volts and poped? OR they are broke, but i do know you can hook up 5 leds in series and then you can run 12 volts to it. But thats my 2 cents