I just zigzag them back and forth across the (otherwise empty) breadboard so that each hop is made to a different column on the breadboard and all are then in series, then connect a LED and resistor through them to the 5V. If the LED lights, OK, otherwise pick the half-way point in the string and test each half, further dividing them until you find the problem.
Two problems can be failure of the connection in the little cylindrical plastic encapsulation, or something like varnish leaking out and coating the pins.